No wind, no rain overnight. We were going to start late today but forecast for rain to come up behind us made us think again. We'll try to outrun it. PEDDLE! Had breakfast and left at 8.45. Dry but cloudy start, leaving motel the way we came in - along a footpath through a field of corn taller than us. Got onto cycle track very soon. Crossed the Avon. Went through park around Avonmouth and around every corner was a rabbit tail disappearing into the bushes! Very pleasant cycling. Crossed into S. Gloucestershire. Got slightly lost around Severn Beach. Two signs for the cycle route pointing in opposite directions. Headed towards both of the Severn bridges and went past a fantastic Tudor manor house. Even the (very large) extension on the back was ancient. Rain caught up with us. Crossed the bridge into Wales. Now in Monmouthshire. A man cycling in the opposite direction stopped us for a chat. He'd been cycling round Wales and was on his way home to Bristol. Stopped in Chepstow for a cup of tea and piece of cake, then started the slow, steady climb out of the town after crossing the Wye. Ouch! Have got too complacent after all that flat cycling. [Barry: saw the Offa's Dyke footpath - you must have passed this way] The rain has that 'settled in for the day' feel about it. Didn't realise we had crossed back into Glos. when we crossed the Wye. Decided to stop at St. Briavels as we were soaking wet. Went to YH - splendid castle, I want to stay here! - but shut until 5pm. Now 1pm. Went to the pub to get out of the rain (The George). Phoned hostel. No private rooms so booked a room in the pub.Had a bath. Finally dried out and feeling human again. Still raining!
Total mileage: 27.11
Max height: 777 ft
Height now: 685 ft
Total ascent today: 2490 ft
Roelof: Glad to hear Trevor's on the mend.
Hi Lin & Pete,
ReplyDeleteNice seeing you on Monday - a pity about the fact that Taunton Deane Council had cleverly disguised the access to the Taunton & Bridgwater Canal (have you noticed we cannot spell Bridgwater correctly down here?) and the fact that you met some inconsiderate drivers at Street but that's all over now.
The signs welcoming you to Severn Beach & Pilning remind me of the old joke that there's only one thing worse than a week's holiday at Severn Beach and that's 2 week's holiday at Severn Beach! As for Pilning - I had to attend a couple of courses there back in my Wts & Measures/Trading Standards days (you may habve passed the TS Office on the left on the road down to Severn Beach). What a dump! (with apologies to residents/inmates at Pilning/Severn Beach). By far the best thing about that area is the road out.