T+4 Whitnage to Coleford

This was something of a perfect day.

I knew that rain was expected, so I set off early hoping to get at least as far as Bridgewater before the rain set in. In fact, the rain was much later than forecast and I had lunched and nearly reached Bristol before it started. Waterproofs on and into Bristol to wait for the rain to pass.

I haven't really been to Bristol before, so I took the opportunity to visit the Cathedral, the library (to blog) and a coffee shop (Woodes - I'd thoroughly recommend it. This is one of the best bits of cycle-touring - coffee shop, paper, watching people rush backwards and forwards through a slightly fogged window as the rain intensifies and eventually passes.)).

The cathedral is lovely - some very good Elizabethan effigies (including some of women (very unusual for the time)). I got talking to the lady in the Cathedral shop - turns out she did the End to End 10 years ago when she was 66. She asks which charity I'm raising money for and, when I tell her, she offers me some sponsorship. Her daughter has suffered from depression for many years and has attempted suicide 3 times. A very touching story, very lovingly told. Add this to the number of people who stopped to offer help when I was tackling my puncture(s) the other day and you really begin to see how kind and generous people are.

When I passed through Bristol last year, I ended up going through Clifton, which meant a really really steep climb up a long long hill, and then stunning views as you pass over the Clifton suspension bridge. This time, I left Bristol on the A4 heading through Avonmouth, which took me under the suspension bridge and along the river to the Severn Estuary.

Unfortunately the rain had set in again by the time I reached the M48 cycle path over the River Severn, so there was no view. But Winnie the Pooh would have been proud - it was a very blustery day - I got my head down and battled through the wind across the Bridge.

Eventually crawled to the other side, found some shelter, put my waterproofs on and that was enough to stop the rain for the day.

Cycle up the Wye valley, which is gorgeous, passed a ruined Abbey and up into to Coleford.

A fairly flat stage (with a couple of nasty hills, especially going up into Coleford). Passed from Devon into Somerset, Avon, Monmouthsire and into Gloucestershire.

Total miles now: 321.61
Total calories now: 12, 033
Number of End to Enders: +1
Sponsorship raised on route: +£5