Wednesday July 30, 2014

Not such an early start this morning although we were up early. John was working today so we got up to say our goodbyes to him. We had a good breakfast and loaded the bikes.  We then got around to saying goodbye to Joy.  It was tough, we had such a good day together yesterday, I didn’t want to leave her.  But, we gave each other big hugs and said our farewells. (Check back on Sherston\’s page to see the photo of the fringe).

We had a great cycling day to day.  The weather was hot (25 degrees) and sunny.   We stopped in Devizes to take photos of the locks – the ‘rise’ from the bottom of the lock to the top of the 29 locks  is 237 feet in 2 miles (72 m in 3.2 km) or a 1 in 44 gradient. Renting steel narrow boats for a vacation is another great way of seeing England.  Very slow and relaxing, apart from when you have to go through locks. You also tend to go from pub to pub, mooring up at lunchtime and then again in the evening next to a pub.

We were going to stop in Devizes for lunch, but I missed the supermarket turn and before I knew it we were heading out of Town.  We carried on to the next Town that had a convenience store.  As we were heading through the village, military aircraft were flying noisily across the sky.  Ralf looked at the map and mentioned that we were close to Salisbury Plain.  My military historian couldn’t recall why he knew of Salisbury Plain.  I told him that it was used for military manouvres.  Probably why the aircraft were flying around.

Shortly after we noticed our first road sign warning us of tanks crossing, I pointed to Ralf the red flags the ranges were being used.  We didn’t hear any tank fire or see any tanks.

This road side sign told us about the four highwaymen who attacked and robbed Mr. Dean.  They were transported (to Australia) for their crimes, I wonder if their families are still there and enjoying life.

We then headed to Stonehenge, I remembered there was a road north of Stonehenge, that we would be able to see the monument without having to pay to go through the visitor centre.  Unfortunately English Heritage, knew about this road as well and have used it for their new visitors centre.

Instead of a free view, you pay 15 pounds per person.  We cycled along the road and then took a dirt lane and still saw the monument.  We talked to a family from India who were very interested in our trip.  They wanted to take our photos, we asked them to take photos for us as we don\’t often get photos of the two of us together.

We then took a very busy road, to our campsite.  The campsite is lovely – a fully equipped camp kitchen (first one since NZ/Australia), good showers, clean toilets and very friendly staff and fellow campers.  We met a fella who has also sold everything and wants to start a new life in Europe.  Although they bought a camper van and plan to buy a gite in France.

We decided to walk to the pub for dinner.  Ralf had forgotten to bring his camera but took these photos on his phone instead.

Mia Farrow look?