Stage 2, somehow, complete.

After what was a rather chilly night, during which I wasn’t entirely comfortable, I nevertheless (or perhaps because of) woke early and headed straight for the shower block to wash away any remaining chills and generally improve myself. Feeling much warmer I made a coffee and some porridge, both of which went down very well. Everything packed up again well enough, although there was a lot of dew so the outer of the tent had to be packed damp. Luckily, I’d packed a dry bag just for that scenario.

Knees seemed OK, so I figured I’d crack on… Give it a go…

All down hill into Bourten-on-the-Water, which was as lovely as ever. Really pretty Cotswold town.

The next couple of hours we spent on a rather busy, but scenic enough road. Too many trucks for my liking.

Really not sure if Garmin took me the way I thought I had planned… Anyway, could have been better. Eventually, I got to Chipping Campden for a very late second breakfast. Both the full English breakfast and the town were lovely.

The terrain flattened out a bit after there, as I headed for Stratford on Avon, sadly leaving the lovely Cotswolds behind.

I’d planned a late lunch in Stratford on Avon but it was too busy and touristy… So I headed for Warwick fuelled mainly by some excellent cake.

Now, despite some really stupid gates to get on and off some of the cycle paths, Warwick have done a brilliant job with cycle paths. My route worked out perfectly. Never has crossing a busy city on a bike close to rush hour been so straightforward. Good job 😀

Shortly after Warwick, I found somewhere for very late lunch, posh fish and chips with Halloumi instead of fish, and pint of Doom Bar. Just what was required.

I felt like the king of the world

Didn’t take long after that to get to the campsite. It’s basic, more suited to vans, the old guy who runs it apologised for not having any shower blocks, but explained they were probably in the line of HS2 so there didn’t seem much point investing.

Lots of old tractors though…

And plenty of flat ground for my tent

Surprise encounter for today was a Crufts winner, who’s name I’ve forgotten, but he is a Deerhound

Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/1807817790/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1535648932