An easier day!

Day 3

Distance: 71.4 miles cycling time 6hr 33 min. Average speed 10.8 mph.

We woke early at 5am, to the sound of torrential rain outside. But, at least, no wind.

We switched on the news. By 7am we were both experts on the life and times of Michael Jackson. The good news from the weather forecast was that the rain was moving north and had stopped by the time we went to breakfast.

Our original intention was to follow the 'West Country Way' all day from Tiverton to Bristol. This is a national cycle route. Very pretty and quiet but very winding and circuitous.

After yesterday's struggle, we decided to modify our route to make it shorter. We decided to stop 10 miles south of Bristol at Chew Stoke and followed some main roads along the way.

The first part of the day was from Tiverton to Taunton. Initially along canal tow paths then country lanes. Very pretty.

At Taunton we came off the NCR3 onto A361 all the way to Glastonbury along the Somerset levels. No sign of the festival!

We then rejoined NCR3 to Wells and passed Wookey Hole then up an enormous climb onto the Mendips. We stopped at the viewing point and watched two Red Kites soaring majestically above us.

Then a very easy 10 miles cycle down hill to Chewstoke. A nice easier day - we took our time and really enjoyed it.