We left at about 09:00 on Thursday and picked up Tony at Exeter. We bombed up the M5 to a small village just outside Gloucester - Highnam - were a buddy of ours is associated with an energy company and arranged for us to leave our car. A 4 mile cycle into Gloucester and we met John at the railway station and the core of the team had assembled. A short cycle throuh town and we were at the start of the Gloucester - Sharpness canal. We had planned about 15 miles down to Slimbridge. The tow path started well but gradually detiorated to a rough narrow track which I thought would shake my new bike to bits. We then met a chap - the type I seem to meet at least once on evry trip. I guess I must look like a novice as he started telling us how to do it and are you only going to Slimbridge - well you should do better than that. I am sure his 2 mates enjoyed his company.
We stayed at a great campsite - The Tudor - flat, good grass and fantastic facilities.
Today was a great ride and the conversation from yesterday continued. It was all about getting your leg over. Tony pushing 80 was saying that now he has geat difficulty and John was trying to give him some advice but he also was having great difficulty, Gilly now with arthritis in the hips was also having trouble - me being the youngest was keeping stum as I can still manage it. Later Gilly 'came out' and as I said to her it is a bit late in life for such announcements.
Great cycling country rural, little trafic and pretty flat. We are now ensconced in Tony's son house and Adrian & his wife Saaniya have fed and watered us and given some of us soft beds. Great!!
Jo & Ian and family are joining us at about 08:30 tomorrow morning for a couple of days.
The weather has been fantastic - almost wall to wall sun, a little wind but not enough to hinder our progress.
Distance - 48.82 miles
Looks fab, I am a little jealous ;-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of the trip and hope the sun continues shines for you xx