Land's End to John O'Groats raising money for HIV and Aids
Day 4 - Wellington to
Bristol
Today's weather in Wellington
Having overnighted in Wellington, the route will take me through Taunton, Glastonbury and Wells before wending North into Bristol. This is a pretty short day to combat the third day blues! Although Henry will leave me on this day and head back to London, I will be staying with Diane and Paul in Bristol and have already been offered the use of the washing machine!!!
Mileage: 70
Cycling time: 4 hours
Average speed: 17.5 mph
Top speed: 89.9 mph! - computers never lie!
Start to finish time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Worst, but also rewarding hill: Cheddar Gorge
High point: 885ft
Mileage to date: 222
Level headed, I resisted oblivion!
Today started in familiar style with a bowl of porridge and scrambled egg! Our hosts at the Backways Farm B&B were delightful and have given £20 to Crusaid so thanks to them. I found myself getting in a fluster as departure loomed and can only put it down to having to say farewell to Henry today as she returned to London. She has been fantastic - a real support to get me off on the right track so a massive thankyou to her.
Quickly leaving Wellington behind, with a tail wind allowing me to zip along at about 24mph, I soon arrived in Taunton, resisting the proffered oblivion of all the cider houses on the way! Here I had my first stop to meet up with Alan, Ellie and Nick. We met at the obvious landmark of Tesco and had a cup of tea in the cafe there (happy now Gordon? ;-)). An hour later and I was on my way towards the much vaunted Somerset Levels. I have to say, if we are talking Holland, the Wash or the Fens, level the Levels are not! At least the route I took was decidedly bumpy. Nonetheless, I made good speed towards Glastonbury, passing Langford, Somerton and the curiously-named Huish Episcopi on the way. I learned on this stretch, thanks to a Somerton-located municipal recycling centre (or 'dump' to you and I), that, according to my on-board wobblometer, skip lorries create the most buffeting draft of all vehicles! Glastonbury saw my next brush with oblivion, but as a light drizzle had set in and I could scarcely see the mystical Tor, I wasn't at all tempted to select the local speciality cake for todays rating. Soon at Wells (blissful flat roads and a tail wind for these 6 miles) I was ready for a few cathedral shots, including the wonderous scissor arches and a bowl of hot soup. Then it was on to Cheddar and the eponymous gorge. Actually more of a parking lot in its lower reaches, I was rather glad of the gloomy weather and accompanying lack of traffic...it must be a nightmare at the height of summer! However, the climb was rewarding - especially as I was being motivated by Basement Jaxx on my mp3 (thanks to Rob and Kate for this inspired choice) - and I was soon emerging on to the top of the Mendip Hills. Beautiful scenery, and a change to a disco classics album (anyone who has the Priscilla sound track will know what I am saying - glitter-ball-tastic!!!) inspired me to burst into song - much to the consternation of the local horses, which looked on in horror as I passed! I soon had a great view of the Chew Valley Lake and the remaining 12 miles of my route. Only the last 5 miles were on the hideous A37 - a gruesomely narrow A road with thundering trucks and ignorant drivers. However, the prize goes to an Italian camper van driver (sorry R & K) who was almost responsible for my final brush with oblivion by passing within an inch of me on a left hand bend. Fortunately, he came to a stop at some lights soon after and I was able to vent my fear and anger by banging on his window and using some words that even a non English-speaking Italian would understand! Still seething slightly, I arrived at Diane and Paul's house in Upper Knowle, Bristol at around 4.15pm. Since getting here, I have been looked after royally - lovely shower, use of washer/drier, cake (see below) and the only recipe Diane could find which included both pasta and potatoes in the one dish - ironically billed 'an Italian classic'! It was a triumph! I also met up with Calum, who is cycling with me tomorrow, for a drink and to make arrangements for the morning. This involved another four miles on the bike and a huge hill but I treated it psychologically as a 'stretch out'! Thank you again for all the messages and continuing donations - it's great! Cake Review - Pear and ginger sponge (courtesy of Diane). Lovely moist sponge, dotted with pears and just the right amount of ginger - 10 out of 10.
Alan, Ellie and Nick in Taunton
Wells Cathedral
The wonderful scissor arches (bit blurry, sorry)
Cheddar Gorge on a dull day