Day 6 - Liverpool to Ambleside.

After yesterday's inclement weather caused a change of plan, the team started today from Albert Dock in Liverpool, rather than Chorley, adding an extra 30 miles to the route to Ambleside on Lake Windermere.

The day was fine, with blue sky's and no rain, thank goodness! 

This cheered the intrepid trio as they negotiated the morning rush hour through Liverpool and out of the city, passing Aintree racecourse on the way.

 

The added solar power ensured a good pace to the first break at The Anchor Inn, Hutton, just outside Preston, where Max and Rob allowed us the use of their 'comfort' facilities. (Thanks guys).

After coffee it was plain sailing all the way

to lunch at Carnforth, Morecombe Bay

where potted shrimps were compulsory! 

Fab views abounded as we headed towards Lake Windermere and on to
Ambleside, our final destination for Day 6.

Today's ride was further than originally planned, due to the amendment of day 5's route but we're back on track and to the origional plan!

It's off to bonny Scotland tomorrow!!!

Day 5 - Shrewsbury to Liverpool (The Journey from Hell)

A somber mood hung over the breakfast table, dread I think!!!

After yesterday's epic 107 miles into the wind, the weather forecast was appalling,torrential rain and gale force winds for the duration of the day and to cap it all the cheeriest member of the team was leaving.

 Putting on a brave face before rolling out of the hotel into rain that fell like stair rods!

Today was not going to be fun!

We managed to battle to just short of Chester and were still short of the agreed coffee stop and the support guys. By this time hypothermia was setting in along with a measure of hysteria.

Sarah remembered a truck stop on the A41 that sold fab pies! (Richard was in heaven!!!)




The support vehicles were summoned back & we decided to thaw out and get into some dry gear in The Egerton Arms. The pub were brilliant and didn't complain when we hung all our wet gear over the rads, although we're not quite sure what the other customers thought.

We refueled here and as usual the mascots joined us for lunch. Magic chose curry and Merlin a more refined choice of Moules & Frites!

The support team had a tough morning too and in the struggle to keep Soup dry and smoke free and had had to resort to some unusual methods!

Over lunch Richard then had brainwave, we should try and get to Liverpool and call it a day, Chorley was just a step too far in the conditions.

A stalwart team performance got us to the Mersey Ferry Terminal, where the staff took pity on us and we were
made tea by an Evertonian Docker before the ferry sailed.
 

Andy was in heaven, he was in the city of his dreams!!!!

After drying off and getting our laundry organised we had a quick meal in The Pumphouse in Albert Dock with Val, Dave & Ken.

Our spirits was soon restored and we were buoyed by the promise of sunshine the next day.

 The longer, amended run into Lake Windermere somehow didn't seem so bad.

Day 4 - Caldicot ('Monmouthshire') to Shrewsbury

Sorry this one is 24 hours late our excuses are:-
1) The cycling didn't finish until 7.15pm!!!
2) No Wi Fi Access in the hotel on Saturday Evening without paying £7.00 and we decided we were too tight to pay that!
So here it is.......... 

The LeJog Team prepare to set off on Day 4 with some much

appreciated cycling support from Sue, Mark & Dave.

 The cheering fans
with signs at
Chepstow Racecouse.

We gain a new support team member,  Tolly (Sarah's Niece), for the route up through The Wye Valley and she quickly gets the hang of things! Dragon care, map reading and Welsh Cake

eating all at once!

First stop at Coffee# 1, Monmouth, a very familiar ride stop but today to the cheers of LeJog's rapturous supporters and the dragons.

 And look who's waiting in Coffee# 1 - it's naughty Puff the twin who went missing yesterday! He's apparently been gorging on Hot Chocolate & Welsh Cakes all day so Soup will need to keep a close eye on him today!

More changes to the support team as Val & Dave (Andy's Mum & Dad)

join us for 2 Days - get in the picture Val!!!!!!

After much chat and coffee drinking we get underway again, Puff is confined to the support vehicle!

 

The team storm towards Hereford and stop for some sign bagging!

Evidence of the dreadful rain we have mostly avoided as the team cycle into Leintwardine.
(Fab 5* Restaurant with Rooms by the bridge - The  Lion)

 Soup is having to keep a close
eye on Puff 'n' Magic the twins,
we don't want to lose Puff again!

To continue our combined culinary and cycling adventure or should it be cycling & culinary adventure, we stop for lunch at Rocke Cottage Tea Rooms, near Clungunford.

Soup peruses the menu while Merlin, Puff

'n' Magic survey the fab cake collection!

The peleton forges ahead towards Shrewsbury, always a tough restart after a good lunch stop!

                                            

Fab local scenery around White Grit!

10 miles to go and the rain clouds are gathering when disaster strikes in Pontesbury with a tyre puncture for Andy! The first of LeJog and it wasn't a Richard Puncture!!!!!

 

 Finally we arrive at the hotel after an 8.30 to 7.15pm day and 107 miles!!!

Bring on the recovery drinks (and cider!!!)

We need to blot out tomorrows weather forecast of torrential rain and gale force winds somehow!!!

Day 3 - Tiverton to Caldicot ('Monmouthshire')

Another day on LeJog and

another strong fashion

statement from the team!!!

Flying after the first 30 miles of the day.

Re-fuelled in Bridgwater with coffee and Andy's Mum's Welsh Cakes!

The mascots clear the  leftovers!!!!
They love Welsh Cakes!

 Charging through the Somerset Marshes.

But Puff has disappeared!

 He was seen last in Andy's back pocket stuffed with Welsh Cakes!

Where has he gone???

Lunch at The Plough in Congresbury.

Extras supplied by

the friendly locals at their
usual Friday get together.

No sign of Puff though
even after a thorough
support vehicle search!

After lunch the team send Allison to buy some of the award winning bread they sampled in the pub,  from the bakery in Congresbury and they cycle on towards Bristol!

To say it started to rain is the understatement of the year!!!

Sarah says she was canoeing rather than cycling!

A rainy Clifton Suspension Bridge
and Bristol Zoo!

 LeJog presses on towards the Severn Bridge and as they get closer to home the rain stops.

Soup and lonely twin Magic continue the search for Puff.

Perhaps he's headed back to the nest at home thinks Soup as she gazes towards Wales!

The 'half way across the Severn Bridge' shot, it's an uphill cycle to here
and it's on to The Castle, Caldicot for the welcome home!!!

Andy is suddenly energised,

I wonder why???

The WAGS and families are in attendance!!!

So it's off for a large bowl of pasta and a night at home!!!!