Well, I decided to hit the road today to make a ferry to Ireland on Tuesday -so had 355k to cover in three days, so reasonable. After loading up and saying goodbye to my lovely rellies in Great Dalby I set off towards a camp site just the other side of Shrewsbury. It was bloody cold! The first 49-50ks were pleasant apart from morons behind their precious car….I had forgotten just how moronic English drivers are, with an unswerving sense of entitlement! Through the days riding I kept thinking – I really hate cycling here, and I don’t feel safe at all’. A very unpleasant experience for 160 odd Ks.
And then it belted with rain! I arrived bedraggled, wet, pissed off and cold. One thing that’s bewildered me is the complete absence of places to eat or buy supplies….I thought this was the land of shop keepers! Perhaps it’s just my routing but I have traveled all day and must have passed a couple of shops! I’d see a sign to what I assumed was a village only to find it was just a hinterland or ‘area’ which was utterly devoid of a shop!
Once I got the tent up I went for a welcome hot shower to prevent hyperthermia….only to be greeted with cold showers 🤣. Oh, can this day get any better..!?. There’s a small ‘bar’ at the site which did a mean fish and chips, so that helped ease the stress!
I think for the first time this trip I simply didn’t want to be here. I have felt quite discombobulated today – just wondering what the hell I’m doing, and why! I think part of it is that the impacts of the past few weeks have finally caught up with me. I didn’t really allow myself to think too much about what was happening- I just got on and did what needed to be done. But undoubtedly it was emotional and tough. I hope I can find a way through these doldrums 🤔.
Tomorrow I’m heading to the coast of Wales. 115k of undulating roads. My bike urgently needs a new bottom bracket so I’m hoping it’ll hold till I get to Ireland for serious intervention!
Off to bed in my cold tent – let’s see how good these thermals are!! Night everyone.
Ready to roll …again!
Setting off from Great Dalby, a lovely village where my rellies live – looks like the Vicar of Dibley village 😊
My aunt and uncle ….thanks for such a warm welcome and a great 3 days 😊
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