Another glorious day just need the energy for our bike ride along the Strawberry line. We are changing camp sites today to the one we originally wanted to go to and by luck we found it just across the road from where we are staying now. It is an Independent site and a lot nicer than the Caravan Club site plus cheaper.



After the lovely weather yesterday the grey clouds rolled in over the gorge and the rain set in, but we thought like all the other rainy days it would be just a slight drizzle every now and then. We were wrong there were spats of rain and no real shelter but we were lucky there was a detour on the trail due to repairs and maintenance and we found refuge at a cricket club. The Cheddar Under 11's were playing in the rain and the parents took pity on us and invited us into the club rooms for a hot cup of coffee till the rain eased plus the coach called the match off.

We soldiered on round the Cheddar Reservoir till Richard spotted a chap fishing so naturally we had to stop and of course have a chat about fishing technics. There it is catch and release as the fish cannot be removed from the reservoir.

The country views of sheep grazing in the nearby fields and the natural woods were full of birds, squirrels and rabbits of course. So peaceful cycling down the trail under a canopy of trees which saved us a bit from the rain but as we neared Axbridge the rain set in and it was hard finding shelter in the town square of lovely old Tudor and thatched cottages. As it was Sunday we were unable to go inside King John’s Hunting Lodge, which is now a Museum pity it is a beautiful old Tudor building.

Mad dash across the A38 between the fast moving traffic both Richard and I had near collisions when braking in the rain we couldn’t stop laughing two old silly buggers cycling in the rain.

The trail was easy to cycle on enjoyed the views of Rose and King’s Wood’s before entering a gorgeous section of moss covered rock sides leading to the Shute Shelve Tunnel where you needed a torch to pass through. Was hysterical trying to follow the reflectors on the path in the dark but you can see the light at the end of the tunnel?

The rain hasn’t eased and being wet and hungry we decided to pull the pin when we reached Winscombe. Parked our bikes at the entry of the Woodborough Inn and had a lovely huge roast lamb dinner with piles of vegies and coffee. The atmosphere in the pub was brilliant warm and cosy and the English certainly know how to eat well.

The rain eased and it was an easy cycle back on a slight downhill slope pity the trail was getting muddy from the rain. Silly me took a good spill at the gate to the Yacht Club trying to get off my bike too much lunch couldn’t get my leg over the bike. Nothing like falling in a big puddle couldn’t stop laughing. Richard was upset as I bruised and hurt my left shoulder. Told me I wasn’t twenty anymore and shouldn’t ride so fast.

Thankfully the rain had stopped like it normally does in the late afternoon, this is probably when we should have started cycling the Strawberry Line like some people are doing now. It would have been great to have more photos and video but I didn’t want to risk getting the cameras wet.

The only good thing about today was the beautiful roast lamb with piles of vegies we had at Woodborough Inn in Winscombe. Exciting late afternoon of laundry, a cuppa to warm up and sandwich for dinner too full after our huge lunch.