West Woodburn to Wooler - Friday, 31st August
43 miles cycled. Woo hoo!
A glorious day. Failed to get away by 9:00.
Elsdon for breakfast at the very bike friendly Impromptu Café.
We chat with the owner, a keen cyclist himself, and two 'iron man' athletes out for a day.
Much relax.
Excellent roads took us rocketing through the Northumbrian countryside...
...alongside the River Coquet to Alwinton...
...for an amazingly early 1:30 lunch at the Rose and Thistle.
Things were looking good.
After lunch our speedy journey continued...
...until we met the River Breamish at Brandon where we met our first ford.
Luckily there was a footbridge alternative and we watched two young horses play in the water as we traversed.
No problem.
We even stopped for a late afternoon roadside snack near Reaveley...
... before our second ford at Roddam at the bottom of a deep gully.
This foot bridge was a little more awkward.
Back on the lanes for a while until Ilderton, where a pleasant farm track...
... deteriorated alarmingly before a third ford over Lilburn Burn.
 |
| Alarming deterioration |
Thankfully back on the road at South Middleton and our fourth ford at Happy Valley, near Wooler YH.
This is the first ford we could cross, it being a proper road through a stream an' all, rather than a loose riverbed of large wobbly rocks.
David kindly provided a stunt double for himself for the movie...
 |
| Proof! |
By then it was after 7:00 and we were looking forward to stopping. From here it was a short run to Wooler and Highburn House Caravan Park.
Pitched about 8:00.
 |
| Bottle conditioned. Very nice. |
We were so tired. Keith's back did not enjoy the off road sections and was so worn out he didn't even join David and I for dinner at the excellent Milan restaurant in Wooler.
Summery despatch:
"Long day 40 miles to Wooler.
Troops exhausted.
No casualties.
Send money."
Signal from Base Camp:
"Well done, are you having a day's rest?
Provisions on route.
Base camp out."
No comments:
Post a Comment