It turns out that the Red Lion is one of the most common pub names in Britain. We have seen many of them, usually when geographically challenged. I thought we are meant to be in Cirencester. The is a Red Lion in Cricklade, but our one was in Castle Easton.

It was a pretty spot though and we were pretty impressed to see the swanlings.

What Jane didn’t say was that our first day on the bikes turned into a very long 100 km epic. Rather more than I had planned, and not the way one would really want to acclimatize to riding fully laden bicycles.

P

We rode the bikes along the river to see the amazing Brunel suspension bridge across the gorge. Then, time for brunch, pack and depart on our heavily laden bikes. Took a while to get out of Bristol, but once we found the Bristol to Bath bike path, we flew along in the sunshine.

We stopped at a supermarket to buy food. I left Peter to sort his gear while I shopped, returned to find him chatting to a blonde on a bike. She was Sally and was from Darfield (near Christchurch – Jane’s home. P), and she quickly became our new friend. We had our lunch together, she produced maps and offered to ride with us to see us on the right route to Cirencester. What a gem.

On the bike path out of Gristmill, following Sally.

We came across a “closure” but it isn’t much challenge for Aussies and kiwis!

The riding was gorgeous, sunshine, a following wind, divine little country lanes, beautiful countryside and several photo stops for picturesque houses. Sadly our directions to the Red Lion hotel went astray and we had just clocked 100k before we finally arrived at 9.00pm at the tiny village of Castle Eaton. But, our hostess, Melody, had kept a cold meal, we ate, bathed, and slept soundly.