Olney to Ely - 90k 20 June

We were rather sentimental about leaving Olney. Last evening we celebrated \julie's 51st birthday at ''The White Swan'' - a lovely English pub in the centre of town. The food was outstanding. While there, outside the rain was that heavy it was bouncing on the roads and the footpaths. We were glad to be inside. Just prior to dinner we walked to the Church of St Peter and Paul, just a few hundred yards away on the edge of the village. This was John Newton's Church where he was Curate, and where he penned the great song of the Church ''Amazing Grace''. We were a little surprised to see the Church graveyard that surrounded the Church so overgrown with long grass. It was a very historic cemetery, and eventually we found Newtons grave. He shared the plot with his wife Mary, and also beside was his father in law (mary's father). We stood with great reverence at this spot, and marvelled at his story which was basically inscribed in the back of his granite tombstone. He called himself an 'infidel', against all the things of God, until by God's 'amazing grace' he was saved from this life of rebellion, and committed to Christ. Sadly, this is hard to read because it is jammed up against the side fence of the graveyard. His father in laws grave is also suitably inscribed with the great verse from Scripture ''For I know whom I have believed, and am pursuaded that HE (God) is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him, until THAT day''. Just meters from Newton's grave, a homeless alcoholic has made his temporary home. We spoke with him. A sad story, but he sang to me the words of amazing grace to the tune of 'The Rising Sun'. I have been humming ever since. My sadness is, I didn't meet a person in Olney who really knew the complete story of John Newton. I guess this explains the run-down state of the graveyard. His song is the one hymn of the church that has survived centuries, and is still the one song asked for at funerals even from families who have never stepped foot inside a church in their loives. Such is the power of this song that tells the story of an 'infidel' come follower of Christ.

We left the lovely Colchester House (Peter and Judith Blanbinsop) on another bleak and overcast morning, but with a wind to our backs and a flat road all the way to Cambridge. We made very good time. Julie cycles really well on the long flat roads, and is hard to keep up with! We managed our way through the substantial town of Bedford, then headed more north on the A421 with a rendevous with the A1 - a massive motorway running due north. We just merged in, wondering if in fact we were allowed on, but with a strong wind pushing us, we put heads down and tails up and sailed at 38kph for many miles. I sat behind Julie, and we didn't stop or slow until we had to vere off easterly for Cambridge. It was just superb cycling conditions. Trucks were a worry, because they physically lift and shove the bikes with the force of the wind they carry with them.

We still had breeze behind, although we had changed directions, and headed for Madingly, a small village a mile or so before Cambridge. Here we visited the American Military Cemetery and Memorial. It was an immaculate picture of US planning, not dissimilar to the great Omaha Military cemetery at St Laurent sur mer in Normandy. Then into Cambridge. We sat in the large park alongside the River Cam, watching the river boats, and hundreds of students just having fun in their various groups, playing games, wrestling, volley ball etc as we cooked up a storm for lunch. Milk coffee is our delicacy. We explored Cambridge a little, but we had to hit the road north now for Ely (Eelee). We decided to find a camping ground just south of Ely, so we could spend time at Ely next day.

Little Thetford was the place of rest for the night - the ''Two Acres Caravan and Camping ground''. It was just a camp site. But the toilets and showers were clean and hot, so we had no complaints. We were already in sight of the magnificent Ely Cathedral. The land is tarmac flat, hence cans ee for miles. The Ely Cathedral stands out for miles and miles across this countryside, a most wonderful and daunting sight.

This had been agreat day . We did 90k on the bikes, and all flat ground, and with wind to our backs. We were in good form and high spirits. Camping is surprisingly comfortable. The tent is snug, and despite the rain and wintry conditions, we have never been cold, damp or despondent in our tent.

We thank God for another great day!