I left the Angel Inn in Stourport having slept well… no flashing lights in my room! My route to Cheltenham took me onto NCR 45 which had contributed to my mud covering and falling off episodes of the previous day, so it was with some degree of trepidation that I started turning the pedals for another day in the saddle. Still, the sun was shining and it was warm and the morning’s ride through the lanes and byways of Worcestershire was very pleasant. I stopped briefly in Droitwich Spa for the sustenance of a bacon butty before heading off through Worcester. Worcester was not paved in gold but at least the Cycleways through the town were paved and well sign posted. Shortly after Worcester I had 2 encounters with two pairs of cyclists who were also doing the End to End ride, but the other way round. They were LEJOGers as opposed to me who is JOGLEr! One of the couples were Australian and had flown over specifically to do the ride. Both in their 70’s , they had allowed themselves 41 days! We shared our experiences thus far and wished each other safe journeys before cycling off, them north and me south.
The afternoon life got more difficult again after I left the pretty market town of Tewkesbury. Road closures meant detours, lengthening my day and muddy single track sections, which I avoided also led to detours.
The buzz of traffic from the M5 was never very far away and with the familiar sight of the Malvern hills in the distance was a reminder of just how far I’d come in 18 days.
As a result of the detours the final 10km were cycled on busy main roads with several impatient drivers overtaking perilously close to me… I now know how Prince Harry must feel being chased through New York by the papperazzi.
The Premier Inn on the northern outskirts of Cheltenham was eventually located after an argument with my satnav! Thank goodness for Google Maps.
Cheltenham to Bristol Friday
What a great cycle! I was looking forward to catching up with the Liphook Loafer and the Highgate Viking for the weekend and the ride to Villa Olli where we would be staying, was the icing on the cake. Admittedly I got a little lost in Gloucester but once I was back on the route, the cycling was nice and easy. Flat, with the sun shining again, I followed the Gloucester and Sharpness canal which has a proliferation of swing bridges that are manned to allow larger vessels to pass up or down to the River Severn at Sharpness.
Passing through Frampton on Severn and Berkeley, I arrived at the Villa to be greeted & filmed by the Loafer!
The Villa or converted barn is fantastic. Swimming pool, hot tub, pool table and every conceivable gadget that you could want. Dinner was even cooked for us by our host, Olivia, a charming French lady from Brittany.
A lounge in the hot tub with a large glass of something red was a fitting end to a perfect day.
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