British Rail only allowed us to reserve 2 bikes on the train so the train manager objects to there being 4. Whilst 2 of us distract him the other 2 put all 4 bikes on. The train makes it as far as Pinhoe (still in Exeter) before breaking down! It then limps late towards Salisbury where a replacement train awaits. Herculian task of transferring bikes and panniers from one overcrowded train to another.
Change trains at Waterloo on to a local train that stops at so many stations, taking an hour to cover 20 miles. We leap out in Gravesend into pouring rain, negotiate the town centre potholes, drop K and K at their nearby Premier Inn and cycle a couple of miles to ours. We are allowed to keep our bikes in the room.
Now we catch a bus back to the station to take a train to London Bridge by 6.30. A lovely evening catching up with son Chris and girlfriend Jess, in the very busy "Old Thameside" restaurant, before yet again visiting all the stations to Gravesend! Too tired to wait for a bus we jump in a taxi.
Location:Exeter to Gravesend
