Day 10 Monmouth to Taunton

Waking up at 7am was met with mixed emotions. Happiness at being in a very large comfy bed, and disappointment at hearing the rain beating at the window. Peering out through the curtains of my well appointed bedroom it was wet. Very wet. Ludicrously wet. I went back to bed. At half seven I stupidly watched the BBC news weather forecast and saw the psychedelic colours marching across South Wales, but instead of promoting peace and love these were signifying rain and lots thereof.

After a porridge and bacon sandwich breakfast we went out into the rain in search of more waterproof gear. I bought a pair of sealskin socks and Chris scrounged a pair of plastic bags. We left the hotel with good wishes from the staff and after admonishments to take care, headed out into the drizzle.

The road South followed the River Wye and provided an easy hour of pedalling. Mist hung amongst the trees towering above us and the air was thick with the smell of damp leaves. The river was full and red with all the rain that had fallen overnight and we followed the road south alongside the water.

Soon we arrived at Tintern Abbey and stopped to take a few photographs. As nice as it was, ultimately we were quite wet and facing the first big climb of the day so we pretty much just got on with it. After an unpleasantly big hill we had a nicer descent and found the M48 bridge to cross over the Severn in front of us. The crossing was windy and led us to Avonmouth which were ultimately two unpleasant things. Avonmouth is a large industrial zone with lots of trucks and gritty streets, the wind was in front of us and blowing the grit into my contact lenses which wasn't a big bag of fun.

Eventually we passed under Brunell's bridge at Clifton and started heading down the A38 towards ristol airport and the M5. If you've never visited the area it's hilly, and thoroughly unfun if there is a 30 know wind blowing straight at you. It took far too long to get through Avonmouth and the climb out of Bristol really tried my patience. We stopped at a layby burger van for a cup of tea and a few text messages of support from friends lifted my sunken spirits somewhat. It's difficult cycling along roads you know because you can appreciate how far you actually have to go. I know the road from the M5 to the airport and I know how hilly it is, unfortunately.

With the wind against us we made slow progress towards and over the M5 but after devouring a sandwich and a bag of sweets we got there and onwards to Bridgewater. Legs were getting heavy now and conversation had dried up long ago but we could see signs for Taunton and despite a lot of traffic including an idiot in a Morris Minor doing his myopic best to squash Chris there was no reason not to forge ahead and reach the planned stop for the evening. That planned stop was Lee and Cath's house, friends of Chris who were kind enough to take in two cold and sweaty strays, cook them a very nice dinner and provide them a bed for the night. Thank you both.

Cornwall tomorrow, somwhere or other. Land's End by Wednesday might be asking a wee bit too much...