Details

Hits: 9897

It was raining steadily when we left so it was 'cape on' for me. Bertie came cycling with us while Sally and Charlotte arranged to meet us for lunch.

The rain had stopped before Studland and it was a bright fresh day by the time we disembarked from the chain-link ferry at Sandbanks.

We were following the NCN2 along the sea front but it turns out his is seasonal, it's closed during July and August. It was a struggle picking our way through Westbourne, Bournmouth and we stopped for lunch at Boscombe.

The cycle lanes ran out completely around Highcliffe so we just used the A337 to Lymington for the ferry to Yarmouth and the Isle of Wight.

We shopped in Yarmouth and used an NCN route to Freshwater where there's a large co-op. We cycled along the south cliff top road for a while then turned inland to Brighstone and another YHA hostel.

Mileage 44

Details

Hits: 10156

It was raining once again when we set off so we abandoned our tour of the island and instead headed north for a BCQ at Calbourne.

We then took in a tea shop at Yarmouth.

After the crossing to Lymington we had another hour or so in a café for lunch, still raining.

We eventually went out to the 'big co-op' which turned out to be a petrol station with a shop.

It had enough stuff though so we picked up supplies.

We left Lymington on Sway Road and headed over the the hostel in Burley. We arrived too early so visited another tea shop before going to the hostel. Still raining. Bah!

Mileage 23

Details

Hits: 10041

Full sun this morning. Oiled the bikes and plotted a new course for the day.

We had been planning on a ride through the forest but the trails were waterlogged and boggy.

The new route took us west and north to South Gorley for an early lunch at Hockey's Farmshop and Cafe.

This was still within the national park so there were ponies, donkeys and cows on the road.

We passed through Fordingbridge without stopping, very busy wee place. Up hill through Damerham and in to rolling hills with crops blowing in the breeze.

We stopped in Martin chatting to a retired Royal Navy Captain then continued over the hill to second lunch and some BCQs at Broad Chalke.

We finished the day with a ride by the River Ebble then over the hill to Quidhampton then Salisbury.

Found the B+B straight away, well done Andy!

Mileage 34.

Details

Hits: 9458

Nice and sunny in the morning, we threaded our way through Salisbury on to NCN24 where we made rapid progress west as it stayed near a railway and river.

We decided to stick to the cycle route and not waste time on detours, the only real problem was a lack of cafés.

The puncture wasn't a problem.

We decided to stop at the first place we saw after noon but it was after 1 when we found a transport café near Frome.

Transport cafés have come on a lot over the years.

In the 80's you could have bacon or sausage in your roll, now it's as big a menu as the village café where the genteel retired folk go.

The food was great as it happens and we were soon on our way heading north to Bath. We went through two railway tunnels, one over a mile long.

Cycled through Bath and up the big Borthwick Hill stopping only to dive in to Tesco.

Calum chased and caught a mountain biker on the way up to the hostel.

Mileage 54