More Bit's from Val

The second two thousand kms achieved, across increasingly hilly and challenging landscapes.
Don, it seems can ride his bike up anything.

While I have had to push and shove mine up more vicious, [but not often long hills], than on any other bike trip.

"And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover" Masefield. This I saw etched into a public bench.

Soon after 'Richard Burton", well, a rather more handsome and well preserved version, brought his mug of tea to our cafe table. Instantly, after a fleeting reference to Cambridge, he gave us a lengthy, and most interesting talk, about the Neo Pagans who were led by Virginia Woolf. We shook hands and he trotted off to complete his daily 10 mile walk.

A Midwife, after giving us directions to the Stanley Spencer Art Gallery in Cookham, gave me a quick run down on the home birthing situation in UK these days.

A nice chap, with a stutter, spent a long time telling me about the tides, and therefore dangers of swimming in the estuary waters near Swansea.

George, who had worked in the mines, and now for the council, was quick to blame Maggie Thatcher for all problems in South Wales.

'Mrs Doyle' dragged us out of the rain, and into her spacious B and B, (TV with Wimbledon, generous heating and a bath). It seems the Hoover repair man would not come out to a B and B, no back up service for B and B washing machines. So she went right over the street, and bought another one, this very day. Service assured she is doing a huge catch up on sheets and towels. We are both watching the weather and possibility of rain.

Sherry told us of the challenges of fostering five children, while running a farm or two.

And Sarah, a delightful art teacher from Dartmoor, was setting out on a three week cycle ride in Ireland. We bonded fast, and agreed that cycle touring was the only way to go, and that maybe living outdoors was the biggest attraction.

Yes Sarah, living outdoors, but also the chance meetings of so many generous and fun people.

While Mrs Doyle happily let us fry up some bacon in the evening for our dinner, in her kitchen, Don startled the manageress of the Haltwhistle Hotel. (Michelin star restaurant). "Is there anywhere we can cook up some dinner - round the back maybe??? We have our little camp stove on the bike!!. Just her look said No Way.