clairedavieswriter

Today I was joined by two top quality domestiques (for those not familiar with cycling terminology, I’m not being offensive)

It was nice to have company on the road…

And at the pit stops.

Tewkesbury Abbey was very, very old (and closed).

It was a day of three rivers – we crossed the River Avon at Tewkesbury, and followed it north for a while…

Before reuniting with the Severn at Worcester.

And meeting the Stour at Stourport-on-Severn.

We saw more of the country’s amazing man-made waterways – this time the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal near Droitwich

There were a few moments when we questioned the wisdom of the blessed Garmin. The access route to this admittedly glorious stretch of former railway was a narrow, stony, bramble-strewn track, ending in a steep flight of steps. Just as well I had a domestique to carry my bike down – though having returned the favour I realised I should have given him one of my panniers for the day.

In fairness, the Garmin (aka National Cycle Network) also showed us more hidden gems – like this lovely descent through woodland to the River Stour.

There were miles and miles of beautiful English countryside, under a dappled sky…

There was quirky artwork with a fitting message – “What is this life, if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”

And when we reached our destination after just over seven hours, there was welcome refreshment

As I write, late in the evening, I can hear the enthusiastic puff-puff-puff of a steam train on the Severn Valley Railway – it turns out this is the weekend of the Autumn Steam Gala.

My thanks to David and Bernie, my Warmshowers hosts tonight, for welcoming me into their home and inspiring me with their cycle touring tales.