Bude to Barnstaple - 8 July

Here we go, day 4, start with Eggs Royale, the waitress at the Falcon Hotel had me marked down as a 'foodie' for photographing my breakfast, OK.

 

This was an unusual mile marker, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, a long way before I'll be there.

Did someone say beer?

More beer? yes please.

This is the Derriton Viaduct across the River Deer just before Holdsworthy on the former Bude to Okehampton railway line. Much better than going down into the valley and up again.

The lack of view off the viaduct, an idea of how slightly grim the weather was.

Riding along, I foind a large branch of an oak tree across the road. I had to remove the panniers in order to lift the bike across. A lady walking towards me with an empty egg box, off to buy some eggs somewhere except we were in the middle of nowhere, said it was a good job it didn't land on my head. Indeed. At this point I found that my centre stand had worked loose which I'll get the local bike shop to fix tomorrow as I can't get my allen keys into the space.

Free range kids didn't bother me.

Sheepwash is known for thatched buildings and presumably for sheep.

Several of these on the Tarka Trail

Waitrose in Holdsworthy had a very strict one way system in operation. I had to do a complete lap of the store for lunch.

A river crossing, the solid concrete compares with the rickety wood hanging off the sides.

Which is why your view is from the safety of the middle ground

The end of the line

Everyone likes running water

Clever engineering

A sign advises you to remove your sunglasses, good advice.

One for the train spotters

The view from Instow where I stopped for a cup of tea with an old friend, 'M'.

Safely in the Park Hotel in Barnstaple, a pre dinner beer.

An accidental selfie

Early in the day, fun in the rain

Start of the Tarka Trail, just for me

Just me

Park Hotel room very nice, not stinting on the budget

Short menu, as everywhere, so Scampi rather than Cod again, but it was very fine, the minted peas and the chips were both excellent and the Rioja wasn't shabby

What is the plan for tomorrow? Another 40+ mile bike ride, more rain, can't wait.

Derek