You couldn’t ask for more from Davina what a perfect host, postcard on the way, as I brought four, got to make use of them, breakfast setting was so good, sitting under a canopy of honeysuckle trees as I had a proper cup of tea, the others went for coffee, not for me if I can help it and a spread fit for kings or if your not into that stuff, the lads from Attlee Ave loved it!

Off we went with a belly full of Yorkshire tea as much scrabbled egg, toast, croissants as we could carry, thank you so much Davina salt of the earth. Just have to concentrate on the cycling now my mind is all over the place , looking at their splendid pictures looks like gorillas in the mist, long gone holiday in Uganda great times , trekking around the mountains with a once in a life time spot of the mountain gorillas, sorry about that just how my mind works, that covered the first 20 odd miles with ease, me smiling without a care.

Just need to get back into the cycling world rather than daydreaming like I normally do, basically I get into the real world, then wonder where I am, just pedal a bit harder, then harder again, mate not sure how long I was in the wilderness for but had to work hard to catch up. So glad when I turned the corner and saw Rylan’s bike up against the stanchion, with a coffee and a soft drink, just what I needed.

Great little chat about last nights stay and what great hosts, as we had two coffees, I needed the sugar, then just a little 14 mile ride to a decent lunch stop, hey ho here we go, that’s why I don’t drink coffee too much send me a bit hypo! last thing I need , but all good, with these caffeine inspired legs and a head full of weird and wonderful thoughts I can ride for England, for a little bit. Bingo on his own caffeine inspired ride pulls into a beautiful river side bar in Châteauneuf-sur-Charente, unfortunately not on the riverside but a great bar so what the hell. Good meal few beers what could be better, little scare with an insect bite under my top, made a little bit of a fuss, all good as I did not get any reaction or anaphylaxic shock, just a little lump, no need to use my adrenaline injector. Panic over, set off for the last 15 mile all relaxed just easing for through the gears , in the lovely sunshine are legs glinting in the sunshine, calf muscles massive as we pump in the last few miles, only warming up before we get to the Pyrenees, looking forward to it.

Roll into Barbezieux – as normal sort the beers out first – do not worry about the room or where we store the bikes, get the principles sorted first, couple of beers later we sort the room, and tonight’s meal all in one little moment, how good is that, quick showers then here we go, ready to eat as much as they have to offer maybe, see how that goes.