Beer

24/7/15

Well today was wet, very wet, interminably and torrentially wet. Inspite of any previous claims, this was the wettest and hardest day - an 'unendlich' day

We woke to the sound of Wood Pigeons rather than Gulls and with a bleak Met Office forecast, I began the ritual of tea making and filling the flasks for the day. We had converted to using the vacuum flasks for a cold drink during the journey around the South East but colder weather has reverted the need for tea and hot Ribena.

We rejoined the NCN 2 and continued on a wide sweep north of Bridport. The series of Loders villages would have looked fine on a good day but this was very much head down and carry on sort of weather.

At about midday we sort refuge in the Shave Cross Inn where, in spite of the sign on the gate reporting we be closed we were welcomed in by Carl an excellent Caribbean food chef who sang (slightly out of tune) at the top of his voice while preparing our food in the kitchen. Two pots of tea and a Carribean chicken curry gave us some fuel for the big climbs up to Raymond's Hill. Entering Devon, we passed River Cottage HQ and wondered if Hugh F-W could prepare us a quick snack but Seaton seemed to be moving away from us and the last climb up and over into Beer was not very welcome!

Fortunately we had booked  a B&B so no tent pitching tonight - we were able to dry our dripping clothes. We ate tapas in a wine bar near by.

Figures:

Distance:- 51.8 km

Cycle Time:- 4 hours 29 minutes

Average speed:- 11.5 kph

Total Distance:- 5578 km