Day 96
Misty Morning
Tom was up early to get a few million or more photos. The weather, not good for sunrise shots as there was a lot of mist, however this created views so special that Tom confessed to me later that he had wept the view was so beautiful. He was also lucky enough to see the tidal bore as the tide rushed in. Now I have longed for years to see such a natural phenomenon, but was in bed. I just about wept when I realised I had missed this chance, especially in such a setting. Tom thankfully videoed it, and when he has time edit all his films you will get to marvel at this wonder of nature too.
We knew we had to leave, we had 40+ miles to cycle, but we struggled to go from this magical place. It was gone 12pm before we turned a pedal. The route was a little hillier but not too hard even though Komoot said some of the hills were graded orange. Guess we are getting fitter!
Since we left Wales, Komoot has been very trustworthy, no surprises, just good cycling roads, greenways and some tracks. Suddenly though Komoot decided to play with us. First, a rough track that appeared to end at a farm house, then a grassy rocky downhill. We were lulled into a false sense of security as we popped out onto smooth tarmac. It didn’t last long, another track to a house, then a muddy rutted track downhill in woodland. My Garmin clearly showed a thin blue line. No not her majesty’s finest but a river. It was as bad as I could have imagined. Tom found a high narrow bridge no wider than his foot, if that. It had a hand rail, but so wobbly we couldn’t trust it. Tom was so excited. He loves nothing better than a bit of danger, we even have a club, the Minimal Danger Club. Our team mates Paula, Andy and Sally were miles away, but nothing was stopping Tom. Within minutes he had both bikes over, I said a little prayer and followed over. I’m never going to be allowed to join the MD club thank goodness! Naturally the way out was up, some wonderful locals wished us bonne courage, and suggested an electric bike would have been a better choice. I was so relieved to be back on tarmac I flew up that hill!
The last few miles were mainly through a forest, it reminded me so much of my local forest at Wykeham, only about 10 times bigger. I have to confess I felt a little homesick for all my mountain biking friends. We then met two great characters, a pair of hunters. They spoke no English and as they were not selling cakes I couldn’t converse, Tom with the aid of sign language and laughter chatted with them, until they blew their horns and we were on our way. A final few mile and we were soon at our Warmshowers hosts for the evening, Frédéric, Natalie and their beautiful daughter,Anais. Soon washed and washing done. A short walk took us to see the largest bicycle in the world, even too big for Tom Tom (the real one). Then another fabulous meal and lots of chat, another fabulous evening, though no cheese.
