for a few days at least!

After one of the wettest, windiest May's I can remember, the last few days have finally given us some weather more appropriate to the time of year, sunshine, temperatures consistently in double figures and less vicious winds. Suddenly the stuff in the garden has mostly gone into overdrive - who knows, we might even see some veggies before September!

The dry forecast and lighter westerly winds encouraged me to head into Wales on Thursday - nothing adventuresome but away from the coastal fringe at least. So it was over the bridge to Chepstow where i picked up the road to Usk, @ 15 miles away. Thing is, between the two is a big lump of hill but I knew that already and for the most part its no more than 5% although there are ramps up to 10% in a couple of places, but it was a nice day and soon enough I was descending into the Usk valley, reaching my lunch target just a little after 12.

A relaxing sit in the sun with my sandwich's then it was time to head for the coast and back to England. There are effectively 3 ways back from Usk, down the river to Newport, a slightly bumpier but longer route via Monmouth and the Wye valley or the one I decided on, back over the 'mountain' which is the most direct and shortest route. It's also quite hard going, several ramps reached 16% before throwing in a 20%er and all in about 3km! Yeah, not for the faint of leg, several breathers and @ 20 minutes got me to the top to start a long descent to Parc Seymour with views out across the Severn Estuary.

More lanes followed down to Magor where i followed the 'coast' road through Caldicot before taking a short diversion to the shore at Sudbrook, a tiny community built for the builders of the Severn rail tunnel which passes underneath. I took a breather in the shadow of the new road bridge, the afternoon turning steadily warmer, there was at least a cooling breeze by the water. Then it was back to 2 wheels for the final session, two more hours of riding returning me to north Brizzle after 124km and @ 1300m of climbing.

Friday passed with nothing more than a walk to the shops but with the wind having done a one eighty, Saturday I set off eastwards. My destination was Wroughton just south of Swindon for no reason other than its there. Out and across the Cotswolds to Malmesbury then lanes took me to Purton and shortly after to 'Swindon' windmill. It was moved here lock, stock and 4 sails from the edge of the Ridgeway and now sits in the middle of a posey office estate on the edge of Swindon.

A quick photo stop then i made my way on to Wroughton for my lunch stop, 70km down and the temp hovering @ 20c. Wroughton is best known for being home to the Science Museum's library and store, a mile or so above the town just off the Ridgeway at the former Wroughton airfield. I did get the chance to visit some years ago - its a treasure trove of vehicles, planes etc that are either awaiting restoration or otherwise don't currently fit in with the London museums exhibits. Food eaten, I climbed up past the airfield to start the return leg.

It was one of those days, you could easily get carried away, i'd already thought better of looping out to Marlborough and I then dropped the Avebury/Devizes option in favour of a lower route around Calne to Lacock for a direct run back through Bath. All was going well until the 20% downhill into the Avon valley, PING!, yep, a wobbly wheel was confirmation that a spoke had failed in the front wheel. There was nothing to do but take care, further breakages could be more of an issue than just a rubbing rim.

There were already 120km on the clock when i stopped for ice cream and pop at Box, by the time I'd traversed Bath it was clear I'd be just a handful of km short of 100 miles. Well, can't be doing with that, so I did a little loop to grab the extra distance, ending on 163km and @ 1050m of up. A long day but enjoyable despite the broken bike.

Today's Gaby chapter doesn't actually feature Gaby - well not more than a brief mention or two, as you get the first part of Maddy's unwitting German adventure in Lovers Spat, chapter 6 of Ontario. Its almost a comedy of errors, Shakespeare would be proud, a falling out results in a chain of events that takes Maddy from North Yorkshire's premier seaside resort across the North Sea to Germany - you'll love it!

Well I've had lunch, done some gardening stuff, next up is a short walk - well I did do 100 miles yesterday!

Tschussie,
Madeline Anafrid