I want also to record another of our summer outings earlier this month to Peebles in Scotland where my husband had signed up for another cycle event, the Tour of the Borders. We stayed right in the town centre in the Tontine hotel, which dates from 1808 and was built by French prisoners from the Napoleonic War. Downstairs, it was quite grand with a big, formal dining room complete with chandeliers. It was also busy, full of other cyclists as well as tourists. We had the dog with us which is probably why we were in a rather poky room right at the top of the building, well away from other guests. He was well behaved with one exception: one afternoon, before we could stop him, he pee-d on the peonies just outside the front door!
We arrived on the Saturday afternoon before the race and explored the town which is quite touristy with lots of little craft shops, ice cream parlours and cafes. It has quite a few independent shops, including a couple of good shoe shops and is free from the usual high street stores. Behind the hotel and the main street is a park and the river where registration for the cycle event was taking place.
On Sunday morning I got up early with my husband to see him set off, while my daughter slept in. Or tried to. Outside the hotel, groups of cyclists were starting the race encouraged by loud thumpy music and an enthusiastic commentator. So we got up and had breakfast in the Adam room which overlooks the river. I had the full works breakfast with haggis - very nice indeed.
Unfortunately my husband didn't enjoy the ride as it was stopped for an hour because of an accident: someone came off on a steep hill and had to be rescued by air ambulance. He was ok in the end and apologised to the other riders who had to wait around getting cold at the top of the hill until he was taken to hospital. Just glad it wasn't my husband who arrived back around lunchtime safe but grumpy, having had to do the shorter version of the ride because of the delay.
We spent the rest of the day lazily exploring the town walking by the river, eating cake in a cafe in the afternoon and then later on pizza in a very good Italian restaurant just by the bridge. Cooked breakfast, cake and pizza all in one day - that's why I'm having to cut back now!