Sabak - Sitiawan

Wow 90km was on the table for today.  It didn't need to be but we like to head towards the towns which are denoted on the map as being blue squares.  Apparently that means the main town in the district.  It nearly caught us today though as it is at the end of a dead end road - just before we headed the 9km up the road we stopped at the garage and checked.  Whew that was 9km in and more importantly 9km back out we didn't need.  We checked into Lee Garden Hotel which is a Chinese run family hotel, they always seem to be really good for us.  The mileage isn't a problem for our legs and puff, but we all seem to suffer a fair bit from sore backside affliction which is pretty annoying.  Especially as you don't even get relief when you get to your accommodation, it still hurts to sit down.  But ever optimistic we think it must improve. Today on the road as well as covering  83km we had Michael struck down with severe stomach cramps and no energy to continue, it was blazing hot and 30km short of our destination.  We jollied him along and as we were all trying to get some relief in the shade of a solitary tree, DT spotted an old motorcycle inner tube hanging from the tree - weird I know but there is so much rubbish about, there is always some sundry which could come in handy!  He did the quick McGuyver with the Leatherman - a tool for every occasion and fashioned a towrope which he looped over his seat and towed Mick along.  It worked well for about 20mins until..... Jake got a flatty, luckily we had one more tube with no hole in (we've been through 5 already and have some housekeeping to do obviously).  So Mick and I carried on - not with the tow rope, I don't think I could cope with that while the boys sorted out the tyre situation, we came to a roadside stall and ordered a creaming soda each while we waited, after a bit he perked up, the boys arrived and we were back on our way.  Two things I'm thinking as we set off, that's not good, what will the third mishap be.  Luckily we got around the corner and it started to bucket down - also luckily there was a bus shelter just there.  We took refuge for about half and hour and continued without mishap.  But it all added up to a long day.  Lots of love to you all, thanks again for all the emails, facebooks and comments.  xxx