State line from Alabama to Mississippi safely crossed and we had a relatively easy day and a delightful ride up the side of the Tenn-Tom waterway via Aberdeen - thus named `cos apparently the town was founded by Robert Gordon, the famous Aberdonian with whom we're familiar in Scotland - to Amory. Another Best Western in Amory and left there this morning ( Monday ) for a lovely 25 mile ride on a minor road to Fulton . A tiny, but charming, downtown area , but like so many small American towns an ever increasing sprawl of ` chains `, service stations, etc, on the outskirts. A delicious lunch in a small cafe opened a week ago and haircut in a barber shop ( probably opened a century ago ).
On the road from Columbus to West Point we were caught up by a couple on a tandem travelling from Mobile to Canada ( the captain & the vice - admiral ! ) whom we thought were ahead of us. We enjoyed greatly spending time with them at a good cafe in West Point ( good home made cooked buffet lunch and and as much as you can eat for $7.59 ! ) and comparing notes . Joan & Ilkka - we wish you well. See you in Tennessee or Kentucky or before. They were heading on a diversion to Tupelo ( birthplace of Elvis ) - otherwise we'd have no chance of seeing them again.
Another couple doing the UGRR and just ahead of us have an amusing blog and describe much better than I can do, the joys , frustrations , dissapointments , etc of cycle touring. Makes interesting reading. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=3495&v=AC. Just google `retired couple on a bike` and you get the link instantly . Also gives a very much better idea of our route and many of the experiences we are having , but don't have the energy - or skills - to recount. Unfortunately they're now too far ahead of us for us to stand any chance of catching up with them.
Off now to camp site on Tenn-Tom waterway at edge of Fulton and then an early start tomorrow to tackle the very much hillier country leading to the Tishomingo State Park and Shilo National Military Park. We had hoped there might be a bike shop here to help us make much needed adjustments to the gearing mechanism on both our bikes . Unfortunately the proprietor died a few months ago. We'll be forced therefore to apply our very limited skills to this problem at campsite this afternoon. Hope to goodness I don't make the problems worse. Otherwise we'll have to commandeer a pick-up truck to transport bikes to Tupelo - 20 miles west.
Very little ahead by way of towns , villages etc until we get into Tennessee. Last blog entry for a bit . Stick with us though !
Still hoping Mary will add her twopence worth shortly . Will make good reading when she does. She's been a true soldier throughout . Just keeps powering away - and never ( hardly ever ) complains - but there's not much left in the tank at the end of the day for creative writing ! The pity is she'd do it so much better than I can.
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