Avonmouth Bridges to Manchester Ship Canal
Wednesday 8th May
Slimbridge to Upton on Severn
Daily distance 39 miles
Total distance 316.4 miles
Daily ascent 1500 ft
Total ascent 17097 ft
Weather Heavy overcast with prolonged rain showers
Difficulty Easy except for the weather
After a night of relentless rain we started a little later than usual. At first the weather had improved significantly but as the day wore on we had prolonged rain showers from time to time and never really had a chance to dry out properly. We decided to look for our breakfast in Gloucester and came across the Comfy Pew restaurant located close to the cathedral. as we stood outside with the rain lashing down a chap told us they served the best breakfast in Gloucester so we took him at his word and went in to enjoy the best breakfast since leaving home. On leaving Gloucester we had to use some busy main roads until we joined the B4211 for Upton on Severn where we stopped for Coffee and cake. this was well timed because as soon as we entered the coffee shop the rain absolutely hammered down, but stopped almost as soon as we were ready to leave. I have to say though that it did not do my leather saddle any favours. A little longer on the road and we arrived at Blackmore campsite where we stopped for the night. It was while we were here that Johns tent was raided by a squirrel and a magpie who tried to make off with his packet of cereal. He managed to rescue it but the raiders returned later, crept under the flysheet and made off with the spoils early next morning.
Total distance 316.4 miles
Daily ascent 1500 ft
Total ascent 17097 ft
Weather Heavy overcast with prolonged rain showers
Difficulty Easy except for the weather
After a night of relentless rain we started a little later than usual. At first the weather had improved significantly but as the day wore on we had prolonged rain showers from time to time and never really had a chance to dry out properly. We decided to look for our breakfast in Gloucester and came across the Comfy Pew restaurant located close to the cathedral. as we stood outside with the rain lashing down a chap told us they served the best breakfast in Gloucester so we took him at his word and went in to enjoy the best breakfast since leaving home. On leaving Gloucester we had to use some busy main roads until we joined the B4211 for Upton on Severn where we stopped for Coffee and cake. this was well timed because as soon as we entered the coffee shop the rain absolutely hammered down, but stopped almost as soon as we were ready to leave. I have to say though that it did not do my leather saddle any favours. A little longer on the road and we arrived at Blackmore campsite where we stopped for the night. It was while we were here that Johns tent was raided by a squirrel and a magpie who tried to make off with his packet of cereal. He managed to rescue it but the raiders returned later, crept under the flysheet and made off with the spoils early next morning.
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Thursday 9th May
Upton on Severn to Bridgenorth
Daily distance 44.3
Total distance 360.7
Daily ascent 2942
Total ascent 20039
Weather Persistent showers
Difficulty Easy enough but uncomfortable due to the rain
Surprise surprise. As we packed the tents it began to rain again and that more or less set the standard for the day. by this time we were starting to feel the effects of the cold damp weather. I know that I had not felt properly warm since leaving Lizard and my shoes had been wet for days on end. Our ride that day was mostly easy although there was a certain amount of climbing to contend with but we managed well enough.
As we got near to Bridgnorth we began looking for a campsite, but those we had marked on our map no longer accepted tents, or indeed, no longer existed, so by the time we got into town we were beginning to become a little discouraged and while John was in a local supermarket buying food for our evening meal, I got into conversation with a lady who lived nearby. Once John had finished his shopping I went in to do mine while John began to explain our predicament. By the time I came out the lady had gone to find her friend who had a garden nearby and thought she might be prepared to allow us to camp there for the night. As it turned out, the ladies friend was a local hotelier and when she learnt what we were doing, she offered us a room at no charge which we gratefully accepted.
Once we had unpacked we enjoyed a couple of pints in the very luxurious lounge before going out for a fish supper, so it turned out into a comfortable end to a rather uncomfortable day.
Friday 10th May
Bridgnorth to Market Drayton.
Daily miles 34.4 miles
Total miles 395.1 miles
Daily Ascent 2122 ft
Total ascent 22161 ft
Weather Brighter, with showers, some heavy.
Difficulty Moderate.
After a comfortable night we were still up and about, ready to be off bright and early. The weather was much improved although there was still a threat of showers.
We had a very good breakfast at Darbys cafe which was opposite the famous bridge at Ironbridge , so we were well placed for photos before we continued on our way. After Ironbridge the roads were quite busy for a few miles until we reached open country again, we also encountered a couple of long climbs in the course of the day but nothing too strenuous, though once again we found campsites almost non existent along our route. We had one earmarked at a village named Cheswardine, not far from Market Drayton, and decided to stop there for the night. As it turned out the site was not easy to find but eventually a local gave us directions to the Wharf Tavern where we found a small campsite in a secluded setting with a very nice little pub across the road. We had to book in at the pub and as soon as we were inside, the heavens opened and the rain came down in torrents so unfortunately we had to sit and drink a couple of pints of ale while we watched rain and hail battering the windows, only venturing out to erect the tents when the sun made one of its rare appearances.
Total miles 395.1 miles
Daily Ascent 2122 ft
Total ascent 22161 ft
Weather Brighter, with showers, some heavy.
Difficulty Moderate.
After a comfortable night we were still up and about, ready to be off bright and early. The weather was much improved although there was still a threat of showers.
We had a very good breakfast at Darbys cafe which was opposite the famous bridge at Ironbridge , so we were well placed for photos before we continued on our way. After Ironbridge the roads were quite busy for a few miles until we reached open country again, we also encountered a couple of long climbs in the course of the day but nothing too strenuous, though once again we found campsites almost non existent along our route. We had one earmarked at a village named Cheswardine, not far from Market Drayton, and decided to stop there for the night. As it turned out the site was not easy to find but eventually a local gave us directions to the Wharf Tavern where we found a small campsite in a secluded setting with a very nice little pub across the road. We had to book in at the pub and as soon as we were inside, the heavens opened and the rain came down in torrents so unfortunately we had to sit and drink a couple of pints of ale while we watched rain and hail battering the windows, only venturing out to erect the tents when the sun made one of its rare appearances.
Saturday 11th May
Market Drayton to Northwich
Daily miles 42.3
Total miles 437.4
Daily Ascent 1749
Total ascent 23910
Weather Much brighter with some long sunny spells
Difficulty Easy to moderate
Yet again we had to pack our gear before it had a chance to dry out. Most of our day was spent riding on pleasant country lanes but we did meet up with some heavy traffic from time to time, especially around Northwich. Fortunately weather stayed fine for us. We met up with my daughter, Sue and her husband Del, who had driven the 100 miles or so from Melton Mowbray. They phoned us about midday and found us within about 20 minutes at Belmont Hall camp site where we had decided to stop for the night which I think was pretty good going. Once we had sorted the tents, Del drove us to Great Budworth where we spent a pleasant afternoon sitting in the sun , outside the George and Dragon where we had a light lunch before returning to the camp site . After saying our goodbyes we set to drying our damp gear in the sun.
The campsite was pretty basic but it served our needs and was pleasantly located. During a walk in the evening, I noticed a badger set nearby which was obviously active, and sure enough, John heard them snuffling about during the night but I heard nothing.
Total miles 437.4
Daily Ascent 1749
Total ascent 23910
Weather Much brighter with some long sunny spells
Difficulty Easy to moderate
Yet again we had to pack our gear before it had a chance to dry out. Most of our day was spent riding on pleasant country lanes but we did meet up with some heavy traffic from time to time, especially around Northwich. Fortunately weather stayed fine for us. We met up with my daughter, Sue and her husband Del, who had driven the 100 miles or so from Melton Mowbray. They phoned us about midday and found us within about 20 minutes at Belmont Hall camp site where we had decided to stop for the night which I think was pretty good going. Once we had sorted the tents, Del drove us to Great Budworth where we spent a pleasant afternoon sitting in the sun , outside the George and Dragon where we had a light lunch before returning to the camp site . After saying our goodbyes we set to drying our damp gear in the sun.
The campsite was pretty basic but it served our needs and was pleasantly located. During a walk in the evening, I noticed a badger set nearby which was obviously active, and sure enough, John heard them snuffling about during the night but I heard nothing.