I am just about to set off from Lydney, where I have been hosted by Ivan and Tina Labumbalina (who I met in Ashburton having her first baby Erin). Trouble with being hosted by friends is that there is no time to update social media! Lovely times catching up - and knitting. And a stroll through cool woods moving different muscles. Ivan made us a fabulous Spanish inspired seriously garlicky supper of shellfish and pasta and bread and aoli and salad and wine (and I'm still full up this morning).
Total mileage to date: 792.44, and yesterday only did a slow 16miles through Redbrook and Clearwell after skirting Monmouth. Stopped off to sit by the River Wye (and watch canoeists and swans and a lone seagull, while Mabli paddled). Also made the immaculate lawn by the entrance to Clearwell Castle look untidy having a sit down - Mabli (the garden wrecker) tore a few holes in the grass before I managed to stop her - imagine me, if you will, trying to stuff grass back into those holes to repair before i moved on again.
Day before was accidentally potentially the furthest I intend to travel - and Google kept adding miles too, weirdly. In the event, Liz came to rescue me about 12miles from hers, because she and Owen wanted to eat at a reasonable time (and spend more time catching up with me, of course!!!). I had been travelling along narrow lanes with grass in the middle, past ancient farms and mills and churches and castles... Sometimes in England, sometimes in Wales, with regular glimpses of the River Severn (I think). The weather is summery! Finally!
Today I will head for Bristol and my last stay with friends - Barbara in Bishopston - here we come! Tomorrow, I'll be heading for Cheddar/Taunton - and be in the South West once again.
10 miles or so from Lydney and I'm at a lovely 'Cafe on the Hill' in MY place (Tut's Hill!). Stuffing my face whilst Mabli snoozes and ensuring enough battery power to get me to Barb and Ben's place across the Bridge and on into Brizzle. Climbed and CLIMBED a hill this morning, after saying goodbye to Tina and Ivan. Google led me through someon's private driveway too - where Mabli chased rabbits and two fleet of foot deer - i asked if i could continue when I encountered an electric gate and was granted permission! That's where I spotted the dinosaurs. Downhill to Chepstow now.
Downhill to Chepstow and over Chepstow bridge - the old Wye bridge - the longest iron arch bridge remaining from pre Victorian times. I liked the highest tide plaque - must have been quite a flood. Stopped in a Tesco to get dog food... Mabli got two raw pork chops straight off. Crunch, crunch - demolished in double quick time.
Then onwards, after a lovely chat with a grandma who used to run (athletics) and wanted to do more bike packing. Cycled on the coast path briefly - then through a housing estate - then under a subway to find mysrlf on the old Severn Bridge. Spectacular crossing - i loved it (and hopefully got a video of it). NCR 4 took me along Severn beach and then into Easter Compton. Spotting a sign for a farm shop/cafe i turned off the road. It was SO hot (upper 20s degrees C), I was gasping - and worried about frying Mabli's brains. Missed the cafe by 10 mins (it had only just closed)- but the shop sold lemonade AND doggy icecream. Big bowl of water too. Onward and into Bristol suburbs.
Close to Cribbs Causeway I saw a house on fire - and fire engines arriving. I ciuld feel the heat from across the dual carriageway. The house was doomed as the flames started shooting out of the roof as I watched. Such a powerful and scary thing to witness. The traffic was stopped too - and i could see there was going to be a huge jam. Onwards - and getting around Bristol using google maps wasn't easy - i had to backtrack a couple of times. Arrived around 6pm - 30.77miles and total: 823.21. Barbara greeted us warmly and Ben arrived as she served supper - lasagne and salad. Blackberries from the garden (and bought strawberries, cherries) with yoghurt. Yum. I don't think I'm losing any weight this trip - despite my exertions.
Total mileage to date: 792.44, and yesterday only did a slow 16miles through Redbrook and Clearwell after skirting Monmouth. Stopped off to sit by the River Wye (and watch canoeists and swans and a lone seagull, while Mabli paddled). Also made the immaculate lawn by the entrance to Clearwell Castle look untidy having a sit down - Mabli (the garden wrecker) tore a few holes in the grass before I managed to stop her - imagine me, if you will, trying to stuff grass back into those holes to repair before i moved on again.
Day before was accidentally potentially the furthest I intend to travel - and Google kept adding miles too, weirdly. In the event, Liz came to rescue me about 12miles from hers, because she and Owen wanted to eat at a reasonable time (and spend more time catching up with me, of course!!!). I had been travelling along narrow lanes with grass in the middle, past ancient farms and mills and churches and castles... Sometimes in England, sometimes in Wales, with regular glimpses of the River Severn (I think). The weather is summery! Finally!
Today I will head for Bristol and my last stay with friends - Barbara in Bishopston - here we come! Tomorrow, I'll be heading for Cheddar/Taunton - and be in the South West once again.
10 miles or so from Lydney and I'm at a lovely 'Cafe on the Hill' in MY place (Tut's Hill!). Stuffing my face whilst Mabli snoozes and ensuring enough battery power to get me to Barb and Ben's place across the Bridge and on into Brizzle. Climbed and CLIMBED a hill this morning, after saying goodbye to Tina and Ivan. Google led me through someon's private driveway too - where Mabli chased rabbits and two fleet of foot deer - i asked if i could continue when I encountered an electric gate and was granted permission! That's where I spotted the dinosaurs. Downhill to Chepstow now.
Downhill to Chepstow and over Chepstow bridge - the old Wye bridge - the longest iron arch bridge remaining from pre Victorian times. I liked the highest tide plaque - must have been quite a flood. Stopped in a Tesco to get dog food... Mabli got two raw pork chops straight off. Crunch, crunch - demolished in double quick time.
Then onwards, after a lovely chat with a grandma who used to run (athletics) and wanted to do more bike packing. Cycled on the coast path briefly - then through a housing estate - then under a subway to find mysrlf on the old Severn Bridge. Spectacular crossing - i loved it (and hopefully got a video of it). NCR 4 took me along Severn beach and then into Easter Compton. Spotting a sign for a farm shop/cafe i turned off the road. It was SO hot (upper 20s degrees C), I was gasping - and worried about frying Mabli's brains. Missed the cafe by 10 mins (it had only just closed)- but the shop sold lemonade AND doggy icecream. Big bowl of water too. Onward and into Bristol suburbs.
Close to Cribbs Causeway I saw a house on fire - and fire engines arriving. I ciuld feel the heat from across the dual carriageway. The house was doomed as the flames started shooting out of the roof as I watched. Such a powerful and scary thing to witness. The traffic was stopped too - and i could see there was going to be a huge jam. Onwards - and getting around Bristol using google maps wasn't easy - i had to backtrack a couple of times. Arrived around 6pm - 30.77miles and total: 823.21. Barbara greeted us warmly and Ben arrived as she served supper - lasagne and salad. Blackberries from the garden (and bought strawberries, cherries) with yoghurt. Yum. I don't think I'm losing any weight this trip - despite my exertions.
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