Friday 3rd July

Ad initium (at the beginning)


Skelton to Dover via Rutland Water.
(405miles in the van)

Set off to pick up Derek for 11am. This week he has been on a crash weight loss programme - otherwise known as gastroenteritis - so finding his bike ready packed and waiting on the driveway was a nice surprise.
Made our way to Rutland Water stopping at Wetherby services for Derek's first bathroom break. Whilst enjoying my double espresso I told Derek I wasn't taking my coffee pot because this year I was going to 'go slower, stop more often (for coffee), and enjoy the experience'. Derek was flabbergasted and wondered what the hell kind of trip this was going to be.
My resolution lasted only until I drained the last of my coffee and began thinking of the consequences. Have decided to do an about-turn. Coffee pot and coffee from the van are now stashed in my side pannier. I am feeling better already.


Prologue.
Arrived at Rutland Water at 1645 for a circuit of the reservoir.

The 23 mile round was completed on a combination of rough and some tarmac track in just over 2 hours at an average speed of 10.3 miles. What would it have been like fully loaded? We will no doubt soon find out.
True to my new resolution we had a cultural stop at St Edmund's church Egleton. A 12th century church with marvelous Romanesque carvings and a double chamfered round arch.

Supper was taken at the White Horse, Empingham washed down with a pint of Grainstore Rutland bitter.

Proceded on our way to Dover where chaos reigned. After waiting 2 hours we managed to check in on the 2am ferry which eventually left at 03.15. We were just about to settle down for a couple of hours sleep when the Italian school party decided that we looked safe enough to sit next to.
Roll on tomorrow.