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