Kennett & Avon

[Gwylan]

Thanks for that.

Looking at accomodation in Hungerford. My companion is very, very slow. Or maybe he has more time to fill than me.

Suggestions?

 

[Mike Ayling]

A team building thing. My not grown up son and his geriatric dad
Hints, avoids, where to stop, what not to do, all the usual and maybe the unusual too.

I paddled the Devizes to Westminster Marathon in 1971. We did not stop anywhere.

 

[Cathryn]

Thanks for that.

Looking at accomodation in Hungerford. My companion is very, very slow. Or maybe he has more time to fill than me.

Suggestions?

I've had coffee at the three swans and it seemed nice. No real advice, I'm afraid.

 

[Gwylan]

I've had coffee at the three swans and it seemed nice. No real advice, I'm afraid.

Thanks for the thought.
In due course we'll share the consequences of our adventure

 

[Cathryn]

If you have an emergency between Hungerford and Devizes or need something like a pump, drop me a note

 

[Gwylan]

If you have an emergency between Hungerford and Devizes or need something like a pump, drop me a note

Thank you.

 

[Gwylan]

We'll, heading for the start.
Events are taking over. I've bought train tickets, paid for accomodation.
Keep looking at the weather.

Sorting, again, what I might need for the trip. Tempered by whether I want to peddle with it for 3 or 4 days.

I'm used to extended sailing trips where you need everything with you. Even if you never thought you'd need that special spanner. And the boaty equivalent of LBS does not exist.

The trip has been extended by the inclusion of a trip to Cardiff.
But that does mean that I have a pass-out for the whole week.

Right, enough of this. I must get back to panicking and dithering.
What are the odds of needing waterproof over trousers?

 

[Gwylan]

Well, here we go

 

[Gwylan]

GWR? What moron designed their bike compartment?
But I've survived London, massive diversions. Good job I had a rough idea where I was trying to go.

 

[Gwylan]

Progress. Eventual achieved a rendezvous in Reading with my travelling companion
Leisurely start, after breakfast and a cidre at 'spoons.
Realised my travelling companion has his mother's belief in his map reading ability and all of the skill she brings to the task
A jolly little unnecessary loop was added to the journey
Anyway we made it to The Bull in Hungerford. Pleasant place, but limited. The town and the hotel.

Now ready for Monday. But that requires choices as we watch the weather. Tuesday looks like a potentially wet afternoon.

Also there is new Intelligence that my companion needs to be in Bristol for Tuesday night
Need tour plan revision. Might be he extracts himself by train and I just carry on to Bristol, thence to Cardiff.

 

[Gwylan]

Monday, good value/quality b'fast at 'spoons. Shuffled around looking for the A4 route. Eventually escaped.
The A4 cycle route is something in the imagination of someone. Not me.
Need wider tyres, more chunk and less pressure.
Bounced along, didn't fall in the canal and arrived at Hungerford ready for an early afternoon pint.
Having cycled river and canal paths in Europe this is a bit of a let down.
Not for the faint hearted
Oh and all the bouncing about shook the rack off my companion's bike. Repairs were effected.

 

[Cathryn]

Where are you today? Near me?

 

[Gwylan]

Arrived Hungerford without major event. Found The Bear, comfortable.
All worked very well, ate, drank, slept comfortably.

 

[Gwylan]

Where are you today? Near me?

No, idea. In Devizes after wandering the bye ways of Wiltshire. The sun has been shining and we are happy.

 

[Cathryn]

I like Devizes! Superb coffee and cakes etc at Black Dog by the wharf!