Friday July 24, 2014

Bridgwater to Bath (Driving)

After a quick breakfast and coffee we headed to the bike shop.  SJS Cycles build touring bikes and are well renowned in England.  It took them about an hour to switch Ralf’s wheels and put new tires etc on them.  He now has sealed bearings and wheels that are exactly the same as mine, but bigger 700cc’s.

We drove to Bath following the A362 it was a direct route, rather than following the M5 and down into Bath.  It was a typical scenic route, narrow roads and through a lot of small villages, it took us about an hour longer to get to Bath than if we had followed the SatNav directions.  Although the SatNav gave us some very funny directions for example “Stay on this road …. for a long time”.

We drove into Bath to get some Techwash and tent waterproofing.  While we are staying at Joy and John’s we will clean everything and reproof it all ready for the next leg of the Grand Adventure – Europe.

After we handed the vehicle back we cycled up to the hospital to see Joy.  Bath is a beautiful City in a valley, which means that have every road is uphill.  The hill to the hospital was brutal, turned a corner and kicked up to 12%.  We visited with Joy for about half an hour then headed out to their house in Sherston a small village in Wiltshire.

Joy was waiting to have the stent replaced, she had not eaten since 6:00 the previous evening and was hungry and thirsty.  She told us we have hill to climb to get to their house.  We had two more big hills 18% and 14%, (walked them) and then rolling hills.  About 10 kms away from their house the clouds rolled in and it started to rain, a heavy shower but by the time we got to the village we were dry.  John informed us that there was a rail trail we could have taken which would have only had us negotiating one hill.

John made us pasta for dinner and we had an early night.