Day 7

Wednesday 24th May

After a relaxing day off (much needed) I set off from Monmouth "in between showers". Took great delight in telling the Dutch couple staying at the same B&B, when they mentioned how poor the weather looked, that I was really looking forward to the day's ride, that rain was nature's beauty as much as the sunshine was, and besides it would serve to keep me cool. They looked at me like I was bonkers, which I probably am, but just thinking about it kept a smile on my face until well after eleven in the morning...

Having made my first 5 organised B&B's, I now had none planned & so, having had a day off, I settled on Shrewsbury as my target for the day, some 70 miles up the road. The road was mainly flat & I only had to duck for cover under the trees three times from rain today, so a good day all in all. Also bumped into a couple more End to Enders, in their 40's, with similar bikes to mine & also carrying their own gear. They were steaming along at 100 miles a day, but I can tell you they had legs like tree trunks! Told them about my route in Cornwall (ie 'scenic', sticking to the coast) & they chuckled in mild amusement. One of the two had done it himself a few years previously, & he only commented that it was the most painful ride he'd ever been on, and wouldn't be repeating the experience any time soon...

Sticking to main roads & making Shrewsbury, I cycled 74miles today and finished the day only 20miles behind my original waypoint for the day, despite a day off. The thigh muscle & knees have stopped complaining, and I've gotten used to the pain in my achilles tendons, which is now everpresent in both feet (oh, and my sore bottom too, although that I am unable to get used to...)