Day Three started with having to sort out the brakes on the van. Davy and Martyn cycled off to the local village to a garage recommended to us. Wanting the man to do us a favour and repair the van the same day, Davy with his Irish humour, arrived at the garage on his bike, and asked .... 'do you do MOT's on bikes ! ..... there was no laughter from the owner !
Fortunately, once we explained out predicament, he burst into life. It was a local somerset garage, and the mechanic preceded to show us his three vintage tractors with great pride ! If you can get the van here by 9 he said, I can order the parts today and get it fixed. Manna to our ears.
But how to get a minibus with virtually no brakes, two miles down the road to be repaired.
Davy was volunteered as the driver, and Chris as the 'hand brake' operator ! While Martyn cycled ahead flagging vehicles down.
Surprisingly we got there. Parts arrived by 10.15 and the bus was back on the road by lunchtime. our sincere thanks to a very nice mechanic in Nether stowey.
Then we began the cycle ride for day three. Most of us struggled to get out of the Quantocks, deciding to go back up as steep a slope as possible, before we then ran down in to Bridgewater. From then on, it was lovely. So so flat. Route 26 rocks !!! We are tending to go the scenic route, and use a number of the national cycle paths when it fits in. Route 26 was brilliant. Something like 10 miles along disused train tracks through wonderful flat countryside. Including an amazing tunnel that must have been 200 metres long. You entered it and immediately couldn't see anything. Today has been a day for cycle routes. Besides route 26 we used route 4, route 41 and route 10. Thanks to all who have helped establish these routes. They are brilliant.
Chris unfortunately has left us today after doing a brilliant job driving for us over the last four days. He genuinely seemed sorry to be going, and we were certainly sorry to see him go. Thank you Chris.
Shaun is replacing Chris for the rest of the trip, and he arrived eventually once the bus was fixed. Great to have you on board Shaun.
Well, what eventful things happened today ....... Ray managed to fall off his bike, while trying to answer his phone, in front of a pub ! The 'A' team (Bob, Roger and John) managed to find time to go shopping in Bridgewater whilst still completing the ride, and they also found time to have a lunch break in the pub !
The ride over the Avon estuary bridge, and then the Severn Bridge was amazing. Incredible being that high, just on a bike. You feel VERY exposed !
But after two hard days, with aching limbs, joints and bodies, Somerset was exactly what we needed. We eventually arrived at our B&B just outside Chepstow to a warm welcome from Elizabeth, who besides making us feel very welcome, as done about ten loads of washing for us this evening. Thank you Elizabeth (Who turns out to be Northern Irish, so Davy felt at home !).
We ended the day in the pub across the road, drinking beer and reminiscing. Somehow praying in just your underwear came into the conversation, but thats a story for another day. Tired and weary we crawled into bed.
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