Silloth on the Cumbrian coast was our long walk destination this week ahead of the visit of the Tour of Britain bike race later this week.
The small town appears to be taking quite an interest in the event which will see images from the area beamed to TV screens around the world.
For Rufus this was his first visit to the seaside and what an experience it was for him.
One of the first things he spotted was the strange sniffing air and that the grass tasted different.
I tried to explain that it was due to the salty rippling water we could see from high up on the sea barriers.
This water is not like our drinking water but is specially designed to keep fish swimming and boats floating. I think he sort of understood but he would not go in for a paddle.
It was so funny to watch him run up and down woofing at the waves and trying to avoid getting his paws wet.
Silloth gets ready for Tour of Britain
After walking along the promenade we headed inland to dry off on the softer grassed areas for our paws. It was here that we came across a number of large paintings of sheep all sporting cycling gear.
The posters, featuring Ralph the sheep, can be seen on the approaches to the town as well as around the school.
Ralph the cycling sheep is Silloth’s mascot for Stage 3 of the Tour of Britain on 8th September 2015. More details about the visit of the race can be found on the special website to mark the event http://www.sillothwheels.co.uk.
Central to the days events is a big marquee set up on the village green. It is in here between 1pm – 4pm Live ITV4 coverage of the riders on the big screen will take place.
A rough ride through town
Used to the challenges of hill climbs and fast open vistas the many cyclists taking part in the Tour of Britain will need to contend with the Silloth ‘cobbles’.
Technically they are called setts but are small blocks of stone used as a road surface on two of the roads on the route.
Not only will they shake the riders bones as they peddle over them but if they are wet they can become quite slippery.
Fish and Chips
No walk in Silloth would be complete without fish and chips for tea, so we packed mummy off to the chip shop.
The fish were huge, so Rufus and I managed to get some too. A fine end to a good day out!
Ralph the sheep
Here are some of the posters we spotted
World record attempt
Whilst pulling this article together we have spotted that the town are hoping to create a world record as part of the festivities.
They will attempt to get over 600 people to form a bicycle shape when viewed from the air. People who wish to take part will need to turn up on Silloth Green at 12 noon, straight after the riders and cavalcade have gone through.
More information
For those humans, and pooches, wanting to see the race pass through the town here are the details:
- 10-45am to 11.15am – The Tour of Britain riders are expected to speed through the town (going over the setts on Criffel Street)
- 1pm – 4pm – Live ITV4 coverage of the riders on the big screen.
Until next time
Licks and wags
Charlie and Rufus