The Dash to Dartmoor (Thursday 24th July)

Good Evening Pasty Run Readers!

Well, with a cough and a splutter we arrived at Steps Bridge which is just outside Moretonhampstead within the boundaries of Dartmoor National Park. Our vital statistics for the day are as follows:

Distance travelled: 71.5 miles
Time taken: 7 hours 45 minutes (including stops)
Weather: hot and sweaty sun!
Wind: nil
Soundtrack of the day: Chris relived his cub-scout days today with a medley of “Quartermaster’s Stores” and “Ging gang goolie”, and the “Frog Chorus” got an airing again... fabulous!
Best bit of the day: cycling through the Somerset villages on the outskirts of Cheddar and seeing Dad’s car at the 7 mile interval marks!
Worst bit of the day: the hill sections from the St Thomas district of Exeter up to Longtown. Ugh.

Well today started with a goodbye to Penny and Antonia who had to head back to Homeleigh Farm and get ready for the arrival of the masses and party-time this weekend. We were sad to see the Camper Van disappear, but glad that Dad was not tempted to head homewards as well!

The cycle ride today was mainly through rolling hills, although it was fairly flat to begin with through the Somerset Levels – the big ditches and canals of the levels were impressive to look at – and the views went on for miles. The going was good through the country lanes in the morning sunshine.

The first town we cycled through was Bridgwater and that was fairly easy. We had a quick stop where Chris chose to apply some ibuprofen gel onto his knees wearing a latex rubber glove (there were a few interested glances from the locals). We then reached Taunton, which also passed without incident.

Exeter was a nightmare: we got lost once (when we got to a roundabout with absolutely no signs on it whatsoever), we lost each other (Chris carried on round a roundabout when I turned left), I got cut up by a bus, Chris nearly got knocked off his bike by an unobservant BMW driver (which goes to prove my theory!) and the hills out the other side of the city to Moretonehampstead were no laughing matter. They were the bad steep type... they make you burst your lungs on the way up, and poo your pants on the way down. By the time we got to our B&B we were absolutely done for.

We are now relaxing in probably the best pub in the world – The Teign House Inn in Cristow. Real Ale, Home-made Scotch Eggs over the bar for £1, and the best pub menu ever ... just no signal on the mobile phone, so will have to publish this tomorrow!

Pip pip

Becca x