Saturday 8th
Homeward bound today. I woke early, it was chilly in the night and the dew was mighty heavy so tent fly soaked. Showered up then struck camp and was on the road by 0730 for the cycle to Exeter St Davids.
The air was fresh and the morning dew was burning off along with essence of cow dung – this evoked holiday memories again walking down country lane with parents – this is the signature smell of Devon for sure. Roads were nice and quiet and iPhone battery for navigation and bike battery held out – phew.
Arrived way too early at 0900 – scoped out an earlier train but no cycle spaces so have to wait for mine at 1145, oh well. There is a Starbucks in the station now (since Emily was at Uni – btw Emily I cycled past the new Lafowda and the Impy – old haunts of yours).
I sat for a while in Starbucks and had a plastic tasting ham and cheese croissant and a coffee then took bike over to platform 5. Whiled away some time spotting train spotters old and new.
They got very animated when this train came in.
I googled it, it looks quite good:
https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer/about
Heard this too ‘1117 GWR train to Penzance delayed for 32 minutes this is due to .. sheep on the railway’ – hilarious and so English – this was the recorded message so they have that coded in – I wonder what other stuff they have pre-recorded?
Also watched the station staff load disabled people and older people with cases off and on. There was a young chap with the station staff – a GWR volunteer – now I love a train but – wtf – that is full geek.
Train arrived on time and micro stress abated – cycle rack was empty and it was a breeze boarding, train was pretty empty too so I sat at a table and read more of my book Russian Roulette by Giles Milton about MI6 operations in Bolshevik Russia – am on the bit about Sidney Reilly – ace of spies.
Train arrived 12 mins late and I then cycled the 30 mins home through a very hot London. Mischief managed. The aftermath of a heavy dew and an early start:
Cut these off:
Washing on and a rest had before heading off around 1645 to meet Carla on train from LHR as we are having Korean bbq in Bexleyheath with Alex and Mila before he heads off tomorrow to Spain for the eclipse on Wednesday (I plan on viewing from Primrose Hill with a picnic).
Tomorrow will definitely be a chill day. I have decided bike packing – even with an eBike – is only one level below backpacking in terms of how tough. So will I do it again? – the jury is out.
Met Carla on train and we hot footed it to Daiu in Bexleyheath – an all you can eat Japanese / Korean bbq – was very good and they had Sapporo (one of my favourite beers). Alex and Carla and Mila eat their monies worth me less so but I did have three lollies for dessert. After, we took bus back to Abbey Wood then Liz line home.
Another great day – I am smashing retirement.
Leave a comment