What a beautiful day

Day Ten

From Ludlow To Slimbridge
Distance Travelled: 57 miles
Ave speed: 13.6 mph
Max speed: 33.7 mph
Weather: Overcast
Cycling time: 4 hours 09 mins
Total Distance so far: 690 miles

After a well-deserved lie in (until 8.00am), we enjoyed a Little Chef Breakfast before setting off on our way. Despite being slightly jaded, we made good progress. We came across possibly the longest set of road works so far, and as we went on we came to realise traffic was only flowing in one direction, fortunately ours! At the end of the cones stood the foreboding figure of PC Neil James, put in place (on double time!) to prevent lorries from travelling through the works and sending back any LEJOG cyclists (which he had done). Fortunately we were going in the opposite direction, so he allowed us on our way!

We continued to make good progress with a tailwind and a favourable landscape, passing through a number of small villages before heading into the city of Gloucester. We understand your need for these blog updates, and recent technical problems (ie lack of internet connection in TL's) and our general fatigue have prevented us from keeping you up to date over past days. So we went in search of an internet connection. We had heard that Wetherspoon pubs have internet connections, so we went there first for lunch. Being on duty we only had soft drinks! We came across Doris and Ken who must have been drinking all afternoon and were 2 sheets to the wind. We politely answered their questions and moved on as the connection wasnt working.

Next it was to Starbucks, who were able to offer us the answer to our prayers and we quickly uploaded the last 4 days events. Unfortunately due to the recent floods the locals are still struggling with a limited water supply, all water has to be boiled first, and drinks can only be served in plastic glasses! Anyway we completed our task and set off for Slimbridge.

We arrived in Slimbridge in good time and came across the slim-bridge! We found our nights accommodation - the Youth Hostel, which just so happened to be right next door to the Gloucestershire pub of the year – the Tudor Inn (Excellent food). Rob sunk a few pints of Pigs Ear and went happily on his way to bed. A good day had by us both.

TTFN S&R