Out of the south west for the shortest trip to Wales

Today was over the Somerset levels to start. Actually a nice place, made better by the farm milk shake vending machine we found for the best strawberry shake ever. Then up to the Mendips via Cheddar Gorge. It’s a fabulous climb, made better today due to not quite so many tourist cars as there sometimes are.

Andrew had a Beth moment when he ran out of energy. How that happens is weird as he eats more than the other two put together. He’s the slowest eater with the fastest metabolism in the country. He’s learned a valuable life lesson.

Eventually onto the Bath to Bristol cycle track. This was the very first Sustrans route - the one that sparked the whole network. Very familiar to Pete as he’s ridden it many times. Clare grew up next to it in Bath.

Then round the east of Bristol to drop Steve off for a cup of tea at his Mums. Andrew and Pete pressed on but were pretty shot by then. It was a slog to the Severn Bridge and over to Chepstow - the only bit of Wales we’ll see on this trip thankfully - Wales is made of bloody mountains!

Out hotel is a bit basic - let’s leave it at that - but they did a good breakfast

JR (whose done this before) and his wife Liz have joined us for a few days. Pete is mortified that he’s brought Liz to such a hotel as this! I hope JR didn’t get a talking to about not doing his research properly! But we’re happy because we ride pannier free for a few days!

We went for a rather nice curry for dinner. The main topic of conversation this evening was Andrew’s saddle sores and how to cure them. Liz said the cure was to put himself and bike on a train home. Pete suggested some magic cream. Online consultation with Merv concluded that Pete’s magic cream was a bad idea. Merv said to use Sudocreme and gauze patches, so Andrew is going shopping in the morning.

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