LEJOG day 4

With one notable exception, day 4 was flatter and quieter than the previous three. We whizzed through early drizzle and the N. Somerset countryside, and covered 39 miles before lunch. What the countryside lacked in stunning views, it made up for in cycle friendliness.

We passed through the town of Highbridge, which has a sculpture of its “son”, Major Tom Foley, who is thought to have rescued as many as 10,000 Jews from Nazi atrocities, more even than Oscar Schindler. Then lunched at a pub called the Packhorse in the village of Mark, the house next to which had, we were told, been owned by Jeffrey Archer’s ‘Gran', and was a home from home for young Jeffrey. The residents (at least the drinkers at the Packhorse) seemed proud of him!

In the pm the team assaulted the Cheddar Gorge, definitely a 5 piper, and, apart from “declining” 100 yds of ultra severity, climbed the 2+ miles in a little over half an hour; Richard again showing greyhound like qualities.

We are staying the night in a baronial B/B, Harptree Court, near Bristol, which is 5 star in every way. This was organised by the saintly Geraldine Conneely, who has proved herself supremely adept at looking after four '65 year old children'. We can’t imagine where we’d be without her; still at Lands End probably; whereas we’ve actually covered 215 mls.

.......there is a question, since we’ve been eating and drinking rather well, as to whether the calories out on this trip yet exceed the calories in!