I haven't pigged out on this trip at all, so it was coming. I left dad stood on the driveway 
this morning, with a strange feeling. I’ve had a few when I’ve been riding, but I’m not quite sure what this was all about. We smile at each other said our goodbyes and I was off. I think it was just the shear knowledge that once the bridge was out of the way, I’d be back in England and only days from home. It’s got nothing to do with being away too long, but everything to do with the excitement that goes along with success. I guess it’s that same feeling you have when you’re running. All the way out you feel good about it, and then you turn the corner and you no longer feel as good. Doubts begin to creep in about how far you’ve come, and how far is left, you feel like giving up, you’re so tired – and the slightest thing can annoy or upset. Then there’s the other part of you that begins to see the end in sight and the adrenalin begins to pump a little faster, a little harder. Home isn’t that far away any more and all those things you take for granted are just a short distance away. So you smile, you feel something inside, and you push on.
I have absolutely no idea if that has made any sense, but it made me feel good anyway :0) The road was wet! It rained! It kept on raining! In fact, it rained from when I left dad’s all the way to Bristol. Sometimes it was heavy. Sometimes it was torrential. Sometimes it formed a mist and slowed everyone to a crawl and at others it was just damp. You know, that dreadful rain that is so fine you end soaked to the skin, but would never believe it possible.
As I crossed the Severn Bridge I couldn’t resist the moment to stop stick on the hazards and take a picture... As you pass through the two sets of uprights, the first is Wales, the second England... that was the moment I crossed the border. Home.
It’s a bit of a way I’ve travelled and when I stepped off the bike today at a little over 2,500mls I took pause and took the picture. Not only will my bike need a service, I might need a few new bits myself. My boots are sodden, my jacket clings to me when I put it on, and peals from me when I take it off. And my gloves, well the thermaline might need a few stitches... :0)
Bristol is a lovely city and although I arrived in good time, by the time I had showered and warmed up, all I really felt like doing was eating, drinking and sleeping. Honest.
The Harley Dealership was very close to where I was staying. I didn’t know that, I had no idea, but they were in hte same road – about 400yrs from each other, so I went in. Made my introductions, said hello, bought a coffee(!), bought a dealership pin(!) and left. The whole thing took less than 20mins.
I have seen some strange things in my time away, but none so strange as a pub that had been built in the guise o
f a castle. Fantastic... It made me smile and decided that was the place for me, so on I went. The staff were very friendly, the food hot and pleasant and the external surrounding brilliant, yet the theme had not continued inside and that was a little disappointing. Still it rounded off a wet and dreary day quite well.
Then it was back to the b&b to prepare for tomorrow and update the blog and speak to the family. So, after a brief tour (finding Sainsbury’s and picking up supplies), it was back to the room to settle in for the evening. In all with Wales behind and the sun finally warming the earth, I felt good.
this morning, with a strange feeling. I’ve had a few when I’ve been riding, but I’m not quite sure what this was all about. We smile at each other said our goodbyes and I was off. I think it was just the shear knowledge that once the bridge was out of the way, I’d be back in England and only days from home. It’s got nothing to do with being away too long, but everything to do with the excitement that goes along with success. I guess it’s that same feeling you have when you’re running. All the way out you feel good about it, and then you turn the corner and you no longer feel as good. Doubts begin to creep in about how far you’ve come, and how far is left, you feel like giving up, you’re so tired – and the slightest thing can annoy or upset. Then there’s the other part of you that begins to see the end in sight and the adrenalin begins to pump a little faster, a little harder. Home isn’t that far away any more and all those things you take for granted are just a short distance away. So you smile, you feel something inside, and you push on.I have absolutely no idea if that has made any sense, but it made me feel good anyway :0) The road was wet! It rained! It kept on raining! In fact, it rained from when I left dad’s all the way to Bristol. Sometimes it was heavy. Sometimes it was torrential. Sometimes it formed a mist and slowed everyone to a crawl and at others it was just damp. You know, that dreadful rain that is so fine you end soaked to the skin, but would never believe it possible.
As I crossed the Severn Bridge I couldn’t resist the moment to stop stick on the hazards and take a picture... As you pass through the two sets of uprights, the first is Wales, the second England... that was the moment I crossed the border. Home.It’s a bit of a way I’ve travelled and when I stepped off the bike today at a little over 2,500mls I took pause and took the picture. Not only will my bike need a service, I might need a few new bits myself. My boots are sodden, my jacket clings to me when I put it on, and peals from me when I take it off. And my gloves, well the thermaline might need a few stitches... :0)
Bristol is a lovely city and although I arrived in good time, by the time I had showered and warmed up, all I really felt like doing was eating, drinking and sleeping. Honest.
The Harley Dealership was very close to where I was staying. I didn’t know that, I had no idea, but they were in hte same road – about 400yrs from each other, so I went in. Made my introductions, said hello, bought a coffee(!), bought a dealership pin(!) and left. The whole thing took less than 20mins.
I have seen some strange things in my time away, but none so strange as a pub that had been built in the guise o
f a castle. Fantastic... It made me smile and decided that was the place for me, so on I went. The staff were very friendly, the food hot and pleasant and the external surrounding brilliant, yet the theme had not continued inside and that was a little disappointing. Still it rounded off a wet and dreary day quite well.Then it was back to the b&b to prepare for tomorrow and update the blog and speak to the family. So, after a brief tour (finding Sainsbury’s and picking up supplies), it was back to the room to settle in for the evening. In all with Wales behind and the sun finally warming the earth, I felt good.
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