Bath to Charlbury - 109k - Monday 18 June

It was sad to leave Bath. It was a great home for these two days. \it rained all through the night, and as we woke this morning it was still raining. \it would be a wet track today. We said our goodbyes, and headed out of town on the A4 for Chippenham. It was a nice flat run at first, but then it went into a steady 6k gradual climb that had us wondering at the end just how high the road could possibly go. It flattened eventually, and it was a great glide then all the way to Chippenham, through some beautiful countryside and lovely villages. It remained wet most of the day. We longed for the summer!

We took the A38 that became the A429 all the way to the ancient town of Roman influence at cirencester. It was flat road all the way, and quite good cycling but for the rain. We both rode really well. Julie's bike legs for the long flats have improved remarkably. She can really make her loaded bike move. We hit town at 1pm for lunch in the marketplace, despite the wet. There is not much of Roman left in Cirencester, except what has bee preserved in the museum. We rolled out of town in the rain, looking for the A417 to Lechlade ( a really beautiful place) - a town of a thousand flags! We pressed on, really quite weary of the weather now, just wanting to get in for the night. We were past 80k for the day, with still a bit to go. Then the hills started again past Burford.

We were keen for the signs to Charlbury, a beautiful town on top of the Cotswalds. It was a climb up to the town, just over 100k, with the good news that the Camping ground was a further 'mile' north of town, and it had to be at the top of a hill, assuring views across the Cotswalds.. It was a farm setting. A really beautiful place, and we cooked our tea and then went to bed with the sounds of baby goats bleeting over the hedge next to us, and the occasional sound of the donkeys not far from us. Apart from the cool water in the showers, this was a great place, and a comfortable night despite the wet. It is always great to arrive, and we gave thanks to God for yet another safe day.