Swansong...

It is a familiar route home from Clevedon, along the Strawberry Line rail trail, through orchards and across the Somerset levels. I stop to count the cygnets with their parents on a drainage channel - 8! "Our" swans on the Exe had their nest and eggs all swept away by flood waters, days before we set out, so we will see if they have a new batch. We have worked out the best way through Bridgwater, but stopping at so many busy road junctions is still a pain. The canal routes towards Taunton and then Tiverton are a relief from cars. We chat with a young couple of Dutch touring cyclists - with a Bobcat trailer and lots of panniers, heading for Exmoor. A coffee break at Tiverton Parkway station, then eventually the old A38 bypassing Killerton, the fastest way back into the city and home. Are the union jack flags a leftover from the Olyimpic torch route or a welcome home? With our last energies a trip to Sainsburys to restock then sound sleep after today's 88 miles and a memorable 3 weeks in the Brooks saddles.


Completed Tour miles: 1,083

Location: Clevedon to Exeter

Four Bridges...

Our bikes spend the night in Bridgend Wetherspoon's conference room. We depart at 7.00 once we have manhandled the bikes down in the lift! The early start means missing the rush hour and the Olympic torch melee as it will be running right past Wetherspoons! Coastal mist stays with us all the way to Cardiff, where we find a very accommodating 'greasy spoon' for brekkers. Refuelled, we head on eastward towards Newport with its unique Transporter Bridge. I stop to photograph it, the lights change to red, and so Mike gets on board just as it is departing and I dont. The operator kindly waits for me saying as I get on "your husband offered me money to leave without you" - as if!
On the levels after Newport, we pass a pair of Mute Swans with a family of 4 cygnets. They are the first we've seen this year and hope there are some to greet us on the Exe.
Next we whizz over the Severn bridge. I look down into people's gardens. How awful it must be living right under this terrible noise. In centre span we can feel the bridge flexing.
On the busy dual carriageway just into Blighty a car pulls over, the driver very excited to talk as he is planning to cycle end to end. Then it's onto the sweeping Avonmouth Bridge, with the thundering rush-hour traffic alongside the cycle track. Nearing Clevedon a cycling commuter wants to talk too, with the unique chat up line - "what an attractive front brake system you have!" We finally reach our friend Mike's house for a welcome coffee, shower and delicious evening meal.


Tour miles to date: 995

Location: Bridgend to Clevedon

We are not alone...

There are a few hills once we wave goodbye to Bill and Lin in the morning, so we are ready for a rest after 20 miles at Kidwelly. The only cafe had a CTC (Cycle Touring Club) sign in the window! It is on a narrow pavement so no room for the bikes, but the lady proprietor tells us to bring them inside! Then two lady touring cyclists from Newport turn up, and we help bring their bikes in too. They have trained it to Fishguard, and cycled over the mountains to Carmarthen, heading on to Swansea tonight. One is on a heavy mountain bike with panniers & a rucksack, so hard work. Soon after this stop we take a forestry path only to find a locked gate at the end. With much muttering we lift our loaded bikes over. In sight are 2 touring cyclists who are thinking of using this route - they have 4 panniers each so we advise them to take the road round. They are Aussies from Queensland, heading for Ireland and then Scotland. They are "warmshowerers" like us so hope they may come our way on their return.


As our route hugs the coast we pass other tourers. Through Swansea and then a bit of a slog past the steel works of Port Talbot and off road through some stately home gardens, smothered in Rhododendrums. They are clearing acres of these "weeds" and spraying the more unsightly Japanese Knotweed, which unfortunately is everywhere. At the end of the gardens are gates that we have to squeeze through with more muttering. After 70 miles we reach Brigend town centre and take the last room in The Wetherspoons, whose chef lets us know he has run out of veg! So veg roast of the day would be roast pots with extra roast pots!


Tour miles to date: 911

Location: Llangynog to Bridgend

True Grit...

After a beautiful sunset the night before, we set sail in fog, easing away from the terminal with the fog horn blasting!At least it is flat calm all the way and we use on board wifi to catch with emails. Docking is at 1pm in sun then National Cycle Route 4 takes us through Pembroke docks, and will take us most of the way to England! Mike is also using Bike Hub to design the route, which has been great at keeping us on quiet roads. We take photos where the path takes us through cliff tunnels and then alongside the wide sandy beach at Saundersfoot.


We stop for coffee at Amroth Castle where we had also stopped in 2007. Now the farm roads get really hilly as we move inland, and to make it worse there is new thick grit and gravel top dressing for miles. Generally though a beautiful route in broiling sunshine. We are staying this evening with Bill and Lin , friends of Janet and Ian, who they have shared walking holidays with. They have restored their lovely old farm house, and transformed the 3 acre site to a gorgeous garden which attracts lots of birds in this quiet backwater. A Greater Spotted Woodpecker feeds from the bird table right by the window. Apparently there are also 700(!) Pipestrelle bats in the loft over our bedroom, just recently venturing out after hibernation. The only sound we can detect from the roost is a slight fluttering. Pickles the terrier makes up for the dog chasing episodes we have suffered, with a very friendly welcome and posing in front of the camera every time I get it out. He is a star.





Tour miles to date: 841

Location: Rosslare to Llangynog

The Slaney...

We have hardly had any rain this trip and today, our last day in Ireland, is wall to wall sunshine. Chris shows us the way off his mountain, pausing for us to take in the panoramic view over Carlow with the Blackstairs
Mountains in the distance. A canal path leads into Carlow, then on to inspect a big Dolmen, looking wonderful surrounded by bright yellow rapeseed. Bye to Chris as we head south down the Slaney river valley, all the way into Wexford harbour where fishing boats line the harbour wall by the old bridge.


From here it's a fast ride down the hard shoulder into Rosslare ferry terminal. Mike nearly bought tickets for the boat to Fishguard by mistake, but they sorted us out with tickets for the following morning 8.45 sailing to Pembroke Dock. After our 80mile ride we only had energy to cycle back up the ramp from the terminal to a welcoming hotel a few yards away. Our bikes happily secured in the empties store, we enjoy dinner in their bar, chatting to a lovely couple from Fermanagh who knew all about the farming scene. They confirm what others had told us that Chinese delegations are currently visiting Ireland to secure supplies of beef, now that their diet is including more meat.


Tour miles to date: 807

Location: Carlow to Rosslare

Dogged...

We take the usual farm lanes to start this morning, but also the wide verge down a bigger road, as there were few cars to share it with, being a Sunday. We pause for a coffee break at Delaney's Garage (we resist the temptation to ask after his donkey), and then cross our outbound route again as we enter Abbeyleix. Just outside we are ambushed by 4 dogs waiting for us behind a wall, nearly spilling us onto the road! We had been chased by a few farm dogs earlier, it must be their Sunday sport - one terrier keeping up with me for 100 yds even though I was doing more than 20 mph! The rascal!
We pause at the tiny village of The Swan, that exists because of the big brick factory, mostly derelict now, making just clay drainage pipes. The pub is of course called The Swan Inn. The landlord and 2 customers make us very welcome, explaining the Gaelic football match rules as we watch Galway slaughter Roscommon on the TV. It seems very like Australian rules footie to us - fast and furious. At the top of a forested hill near Carlow is the lovely home of our Warm Showers hosts English Chris and Irish Eilish, and and their two lovely friendly rescue dogs. Their only neighbours are a farm and a few wind turbines, still for our visit as there is not a breath of wind. Chris is a professional photographer, so their house has beautiful photos as well as Asian artifacts from their extensive travels. We sleep like logs after a lovely dinner, mostly from their poly-tunnel vegetable factory!


Tour miles to date: 728

Location:Birr to Carlow

For the love of peat...

At first we had thought that our Ballinsloe B&B smelt of cigar smoke, then realised the house was smelling from the peat fire. There is only one other guest, and the owner tells us how the whole town is so quiet since the motorway was built 3 years ago, making it too easy to whizz pass the centre of Ireland. They still get packed out with visitors in October though, when the largest horse fair in Ireland is held here. She says people come there "even though they can't tell one end of the horse from the other!". We have allowed ourselves short mileage today to see the sights, starting with the village of Shannonbridge, which does what it says, with an ancient 15 arch stone bridge.


It being a Saturday there are fishermen in waders in the wide Shannon waters. Heading north west from here, a hare pops onto the road 20 metres ahead, stops momentarily for a look at us, then shoots back into the field alongside. Next stop is the 6c priory ruins at Clonmacnoise, and from the hills here we have views for miles along the meandering river. There is a private railway for the mini-engine pulling the trucks of peat from the mechanically stripped bog to the nearby processing factory, where they are compressed into the briquettes sold at all garages. I remember us using the very same at home in Belfast in the 1960s. In the local paper we follow the story of how the EU has banned the removal of peat from many areas from the 1st of Jan this year. There are strong protests, as peat is still used by so many homes around here.
Heading south we pass a lone fully-laden touring cyclist and exchange greetings, his accent hinting at Netherlands or Scandinavia.
We are then back at the beautiful old B&B in the centre of Birr , lucky to secure the last room as they are taking overflow guests from another wedding at Doolys Hotel opposite. The main street is full of small businesses, not quite such an embarrassment of pubs and betting shops as our last stop, but more than enough pharmacies, hinting at a tendency to hypochondria. There are terraces of fine Georgian houses, all retaining their sash windows and handsome front doors.
We explore Birr Castle gardens, which are full of wonderful mature trees and an astonishing enormous 72 inch wooden telescope built by the 3rd Earl of Rosse in the 1840s. It was the biggest telescope in the world for 70 years.


Over the river is a suspension bridge, the oldest in Ireland, a small prototype for the Avon bridge. As a bonus we spot a family of Goldcrests in the bushes against the castle wall, a first sighting for Mike of the smallest bird in the UK & Ireland.


After all this we enjoy the roast of the day at Doolys, whilst watching on their TV Leinster playing rugby against Ulster in the exciting Twickenham Heineken Cup Final.


Tour miles to date: 676

Location:Ballinasloe to Birr

Galway Bay...

For such a remote place, a lot of interesting history has happened around Screeb. Alcock and Brown landed near here after completing the first ever flight over the Atlantic. They thought they spotted a nice level field to set down on but unfortunately it was in fact a bog and so they crashed. Also, amazingly, Marconi once employed 800 people around and about, transmitting and receiving telegraph messages from the USA.
We follow the coast road towards Galway alongside the massive bay. The local granite is a soft pink colour in stone walls, as huge glacier-shaped boulders in the fields, and tiny islands poking out of the bay. At the last little village school before Galway all the children stop their lunchtime play to chat to us over the wall. As they all speak only Irish they get a pathetic "hi!" in return from us. We find a fairly easy way through the city. It is easier on a bike than by car - there is congestion and queues everywhere. To the east we cross our path from our outward trip at Athenry, noticing this time the wall around the town and it's city gates. At the top of a hill, peat is being mechanically extracted over many acres, such a contrast to Connemara where we watched old couples cutting and stacking the peat by hand. Then on to complete 75 miles and reach Ballinasloe. It is much bigger than we expect from the dot on the map, with a long main street of dozens of small businesses. The vast majority are pubs, more betting shops than you would think could possibly be needed and, oddly, 4 Chinese restaurants! At the very end we find a fine stone Georgian B&B. After booking in we eat in large Hayden's hotel, where we are entertained by a brilliant Irish band, the accordion playing is particularly fantastic.


Four couples get up to dance and complete the most complicated fast moving dance routines that can be imagined. It makes River Dance look very boring and plodding by comparison.


I think we are the only non-Irish speakers in the place.


Tour miles to date: 641

Location:Screeb to Ballinasloe

Cycling heaven...

After our lovely stay with Mike & Sheila, it was difficult to drag ourselves away from them, but we had to start our return journey. Like locals, we leave Westport using a car-free shortcut through the grounds of Westport House to the quay, then follow the coast road west to the village of Murrisk. We had been overtaken by a tour bus, which is now parked at the National Famine Memorial. The American passengers are more interested in us than the memorial!


This village also attracts thousands of visitors in July when pilgrims walk the arduous stone path to the chapel at the top of Croagh Patrick, 765 metres high.
After following the coast to Louisburgh, we head south on a tiny road and are soon in a large peat bowl, encircled with mountains down which tiny waterfalls tumble into bubbling streams. The road winds across the bog through the Mweerlrea Mountains, alongside Glencullin and Doo Loughs, and out through the Bundorragha pass. We have the amazing scenery to ourselves apart from Skylarks, Cuckoos and many Wheatears. As ever hysterical sheep panic all over the road as we approach.
Out of the pass, we go inland around our first ever fjord, before heading south through more mountains, and passing an increasing number of lakes. At Cashel we head east, noticing the traditional old cottage that had belonged to Patrick Pearse (he who's farewell letter we had read at the Westport Heritage Centre). After 60 odd miles we pick a seashore B&B at Screeb, owned by Teresa, who has lived here all her life and still appreciates the magical surroundings. Whilst she cooks us salmon for dinner, we walk down to the shore. Almost immediately we spot a big otter, close in, diving amongst the rocks and seaweed. What a thrill! We point him out to Teresa's granddaughters. As the family natter amongst themselves, we realise that their first language is Irish.


Tour miles to date: 567

Location:Westport to Screeb

Local history...

Mike M is up at the crack of dawn for a train to Dublin, and Sheila is off to her Art class. We plan a more lazy day exploring Westport. We start near the centre at the Octagon where 3 pubs, a hotel and cafes surround a statue on a tall column. This used to commemorate the local land agent, Glendenning. He wasn't terribly popular though, so around 100 years ago the statue was blown up and the figure on top replaced with one of St Patrick! Down by the picturesque quay old warehouses have been converted into handsome hotels and yet more pubs.


A memorial records the drowning of more than 20 young women. They were in a small boat transferring them to the steamer bound for Scotland where there was employment in the potato harvest. They rushed to one side of the " Victory" to look at the steamer and their over loaded vessel capsized. Nearby the Heritage Centre is full of local artefacts and old photos.


Mike takes part in a "Guess What" competition, identifying various obscure objects, and was pleased with his 4/7 result. The kind lady in charge of the jumble of exhibits let him down gently, saying his incorrect answers were "good, but just not right". We both were moved by the loving letter from Patrick Pearse to his mother, written the night before his execution for his part in the 1916 rising.

Location:Westport area

Circle of Croagh Patrick...

Mike M takes us on a grand tour of the area this morning. We start off down by the picturesque harbour, then through the parkland and sneak up the drive of Westport House before the ascent up and around Croagh Patrick mountain. We wind around between dry stone walls, avoiding errant ewes and lambs and the familiar green Postman Pat van delivering along the remotest lanes. I stop very often to photograph the mountains and a particularly attractive thatched cottage.


Then over the coll and a long sweep down a potholed lane, soon alongside the shore road and a visit to Cambells traditional pub and its Guinness and fine fish chowder. The pub owner piles peat and logs on the open fire, making it almost too cosy to leave. Eventually we set off in the sunshine and pick up the rail trail most of the way back to the house. We are introduced to daughter-in-law Kate and 3 engaging grandchildren before Sheila dishes up a wonderful cod dish. Is it any surprise we are staying another day?


Tour miles to date: 505

Location:Westport area

Sheep country...

There is traffic gridlock in Tuam as we leave, with pupils being dropped off at the two cathedral schools. We walk the bikes around the cars, passing small local shops, including a men's outfitters with the sign announcing that John Wayne had bought a cap there in 1951when he was filming "The Quiet Man".
We head due west to Cong, a quaint village on the Porous Canal, then towards the Loughs, with views of mountains ahead. The road now is fantastic, through mountains, drystone walls, and two Loughs (Nafooey and Mask) without any traffic.


There are a few traditional thatched houses, most elsewhere are now covered in corrugated metal or asbestos slates.


As we take a hairpin road between the lakes we are overtaken by a couple of strolling sheep. Ewes and lambs are at the side of the road in many places where they have escaped through the fences. At the top of Lough Mask we have a clear view of Croagh Patrick, a mountain that looks like a pyramid. We follow a direct route from here into Westport and a great welcome from Mike and Sheila (Niamh's Mum and Dad), who we haven't seen since 2007! After 64 miles, mostly into a headwind, Mike's stew is just what is needed to replenish the reserves.


Tour miles to date: 475

Location:Tuam to Westport

The fields of Athenry...

Despite it being a Sunday morning our landlady provides us with a "full Irish" at 7.30 so we can have an early departure. Quiet roads take us to a swing bridge over the wide River Shannon, and into Portumna. Everyone in the village is arriving for mass, including the Priest who spots me outside the supermarket where Mike is buying our lunch. The Father takes a great interest in my map, our route and corrects my place pronunciations. He then dashes into the shop for a packet of ciggys and waves goodbye as he zooms off to his waiting congregation. There is a bit of a breeze as we head north west, through little fields marked out with dry stone walls, keeping in Chareloi cattle, sheep and big lambs, with the odd donkey or two. Every farm also has horses, with the occasional tiny new foal on outsize spindly legs. We eat our lunch sarnies on a bench in Loughrea opposite St Brendan's Cathedral. An impressively large congregation piles out just after 12. Ten miles on is Athenry, which has yet another ruined priory, and a Castle, but we don't tarry as the wind is now gale force and we want to get to Tuam before the promised rain. There are large marshy areas where peat has been cut and piled to dry. Many of the cottages we pass are for sale and as everywhere there are half finished new houses, abandoned mid-project. The wind is now really buffeting us, but mostly hurrying us on. At the top of the last hill a tall pole supporting the electricity lines has blown over with the heavy wires draped precariously over a sapling. We press on, pleased to reach the small town of Tuam just as raindrops start to fall. The only accommodation option is a hotel in the centre, where they stow our bikes in their beer cellar. A long soak in the bath is our reward for a hard cycle.Then down to the bar to soak up the local atmosphere where a brilliant Irish band are playing.








Tour miles to date: 411

Location:Birr to Tuam

Blooming...

The Richardsons are the fittest family - all of them middle distance runners and the youngest one having a go at long jumping as well! We were all less competent at one of the girl's knitting homework!


Noel sets off south cycling to the coast with mates on the Saturday morning as we set off north, under a cloudless blue sky.


We only have a short distance on a busy road after leaving the town, but manage to gain a crawling convoy of 4 lorries behind us! It is a relief (for them and us!) that we turn off onto farm lanes again, following a route Mike Murphy has provided for us. A climb through cattle farms to Cromwell Road, and then an exhilarating whizz down the other side on a rough track with grass down the middle.
Two small towns we pass through are holding cattle markets, the yards full of animal trailers, loud mooing coming from enormous metal sheds and the auctioneers calling out the frantic bidding over the tannoy.
After about 30 miles we turn off to ascend the forested Slieve Bloom Mountains. One of the best cycling routes we have ever followed. Good surfaces, gorgeous views and no cars. Twice, deer shy away from us at the edge of woodland. Blueberry bushes line the road side brooks. At the highest coll we reach 1500 ft, and then it is a freewheel almost 5 miles down to Kinnitty. We were due to stay here but it is only 3 o'clock, so we carry on to the historic market town of Birr. We are practically pulled in off the town square into the "Emmet" Guest House by the enthusiastic lady owner (Maureen) and her loquacious mother. They house our bikes in the utility room, then show us around. It is a beautiful Georgian town house that they have just finished restoring, including ornate plaster ceilings and marble fireplaces.
We explore the town making the most of warm evening sunshine, and come across a substantial castle, ruined 6th(!) century church and (as we are getting used to) more traditional pubs than seems possible. As recommended by Maureen we eat in the bar of the Doolys Hotel, also on the square, and are entertained by an incomprehensible wedding party- some of the blokes wearing flat caps, and the bride a very well upholstered young lady.


Tour miles to date: 345

Location:Kilkenny to Birr

Pottering...

We stay 2 nights in Kilkenny so can explore local highlights recommended by Niamh. We head, in sunshine, 7 miles out to the hamlet of Bennettsbridge; a traditional old pub, a couple of shops and a hump back bridge over the River Nore. Just along the river is a 300 year old stone mill, since 1975 housing the wonderful Nicholas Mosse pottery (http://www.nicholasmosse.com). Their cream tea is delicious. From here more quiet lanes lined with dry stone walls lead us to Kells. An impressive ruined priory with intact fortifications and towers lies in an improbably tranquil valley.


On the outskirts of Kilkenny are 2 static caravan parks of gypsy communities, their piebald ponies tethered on every bit of waste land and road verge. Kilkenny narrow back streets lead us around 13thC Black Abbey and the Cathedral. There are posters tied to lampposts urging voters to support Yes or No in the upcoming referendum on the EU financial treaty. It may be postponed following the change of president in France and the calls for the inclusion of economic growth conditions.


Tour miles to date: 292

Location:Kilkenny area

Irish mist...

We have a relaxing "day off" in Rosslare, taking the dogs for a walk, learning to make yoghurt with Sean, and getting our
washing up to date. Maureen drives the four of us to Wexford where the town centre has some lovely unspoilt traditional pubs and a French restaurant, La Tire Bouchon" (The Corkscrew), where we enjoy a great farewell meal. There is heavy rain most of the evening and night but by the time we set off in the morning this has reduced to a wet Irish mist (Sean calls it "soft weather"). We are soaked for the first two hours, then the wind blows the wet away and we stop for brunch at a little garage. The lady says she is sorry she has not much left to offer us and then proceeds to fit 4 sausages and 3 rashers of bacon in a roll for each of us! The lanes are now very potholed but traffic free. Dramatic hills and lots of bright yellow gorse are a back drop to black and white cows gazing at us curiously. There are picturesque ruins of stone towers, but also lots of unfinished new houses, stalled by the demise of the Celtic Tiger. Inistioge is a cracking little village on the river, with a big stone church and 4 pubs around the village green. We choose the smallest, O'Donnells, painted bright pink. Inside is very dark but we eventually make out the bar, lots of really old Guinness posters and the owner, the spit of the retired drunk priest from "Father Ted". We are made very welcome and then crack on alongside the river, reaching Killkenny around 6pm. We are staying with Niamh, the daughter of our friend Mike from Westport. She, hubby Noel and their 4 girls make us so welcome as does doggy Archie, who we promise to take for a walk tomorrow.








Tour miles to date: 266

Location:Rosslare to Kilkenny

Setting sail...

Our host Martin has his web site on http://www.mbfinearts.co.uk After a morning tour of their lovely garden, including wildlife pond, orchard, bunny and chicken enclosures, we have an easy 20 miles to Pembroke Dock and the weather is very kind to us again, with plenty of sunshine. A bit of main road then back onto farm lanes with more flowers including masses of wild garlic and early purple orchids. Each little hamlet has an ancient stone bridge and at least one pub. The cottages are often tiny and brightly coloured. Picturesque Cresswell Harbour has to be photographed, followed by the impressive Castle Carew rising out of fields by the estuary. (Most photos will be on a separate blog when we return.) We find our first good wi-fi connection outside Pembroke Dock McDonald's, so are able to post the blogs. There are very few passengers on the 2.45 ferry, touring motorcyclists and small party of Aussies.


Mike is soon downing a Guinness!


The crossing is smooth, then they let us off in front of the rest of the vehicles so we have a mad dash up the steep ramp chased by container lorries. Our friends Sean and Maureen live by the shore within sight of our boat. Somehow we still managed to get lost but eventually arrived and were soon catching up on 5 years of gossip and getting to know their 2 "new" rescue dogs - a chocolate lab Ellie and King Charles spaniel Charlie.


Tour miles to date: 198

Location:Clunderwen to Rosslare

Heading west...

Our cycling group disperse this morning, some returning down the Taff trail, others off on their own adventures like us. We set out about 8.30, climbing up out of Brecon, passing the cemetery, soon rewarded with views of mountains to the south and woods in front. Red kites overhead, gold finches and robins hedge-hopping. We soon pick up quiet roads alongside the meandering Towy River. Route 4 follows a big detour around Carmarthen so we take a cheeky shortcut down the hard shoulder of the A40 to clear the suburbs. A steep climb leads to a traffic free farm ridge road with peat bogs, on one side full of white bog-cotton flowers. The sun is out now so the views are stunning of distant hill tops all around. The deep hedgerow banks are thick with violets, cow parsley and blue bells, bordering fields studded with pale pink orchids. The road goes through farm yards occupied only by friendly dogs and scruffy black and white chickens. We have to go onto the very busy A40 for a few short sections but soon can cut off north to the village of Clunderwen where our "Warm Showers" hosts, Martin and Jenny, live in a farm house. Martin is a sculptor with his kilns in the outbuildings. We reach the house just before the only heavy rain of the day sets in. Our bikes are housed alongside Martins' recumbent touring bikes. We are plied with tea and cake whilst Martin produces a wonderfully aromatic curry.


Tour miles to date: 168

Location:Brecon to Clunderwen

Around Brecon....

As forecast, Sunday is another cloudy but dry day.It is a refreshing change to leave our panniers in the hotel as we explore the area.We all make it as far as Talgarth but then Judy and Tim speed off with the really keen group to cycle up a nearby mountain whilst the rest of us softies stop for coffee in a community cafe and visit the table top produce market. Later,quiet country lanes, lined with wild flowers and backed by mountain views, lead us to Hay-on-Wye. The bikes are locked up in a big pile so we can explore the historic streets of bookshops and cafes.Cycle route 8 leads us most of the way back to Brecon up and down farm tracks, wet with water streaming off the hills from last week's rain.Every field is home to sheep and big lambs.The last stretch into town is along the canal where two pretty hire barges chug past.
Ian has trained it to Cardiff to retrieve their car,so he and Janet can drive home tomorrow.



Tour miles to date: 94

Location:To Hay & back

Uphill...

We assemble at a multi storey car-park in very chilly,Cardiff Bay,15 setting off at 9.30 but losing 30 mins searching for toilets! As we make our way around the Bay, Richard gets a puncture so a few stay to help him. Within a few miles we bump into a "Welly Wheeler" cyclist, Martin, on his tour of Wales. After a brief gossip we cycle on a good tarmac path through a massive riverside park, picking up Geoff and Penny, fresh from their son's wedding in Brum. At a cosy cafe we also pick up Marilyn and Roger. The trail takes us through Aberfan, alongside the memorial garden. Mertha Tydfil is next, full of ubiquitous rows of identical, gardenless,terraced houses. Out into countryside, tall limestone escarpments replace slag tips and small mountain streams bubble into the Taff. Near our highest point,1440ft, is the disused rail tunnel that was once the highest in the UK. The river now reminds us of the Dart as it tumbles over rocks and Ian G spots a Dipper by an old stone bridge. Those of us in the advance group wait down by large Pontscilli reservoir and realise there were 4 missing. Alarmed at the delay we stop the first passing car to hear there has been an accident. As later transpires, the tandem has slipped on a wet cattle-grid, throwing Janet off and breaking her arm (Ian broke a finger). First on the scene were some brilliant off duty policemen who provide first aid, and then kindly take the tandem on to Brecon, whilst the 4 wait in the cold for the ambulance. Ian and Janet eventually join us at our hotel at 10pm, having spent the evening in A & E in Abergavenny. The rest of us had enjoyed a very convivial meal at the youth hostel, where some were lodged.




Tour miles to date: 56

Location:Cardiff to Brecon

Will it stop raining...?

We last cycled across Wales to Ireland in the so-called "summer" of 2007, the wettest ever on record. We had hoped for a rather sunnier experience this time, but may be out of luck! It will be great to visit Irish friends in Rosslare and Westport, so it will be worth it, come rain or shine.
We've defrosted the fridge, waved cheerio to the neighbours, and loaded our bikes into Ian and Janet's posh pickup truck. The alarm is set for 6am.

Location:Exeter