Robin's Bloggin's

Earlier this week, via the Leigh Creek Guzzlers Association grapevine, I received the sad news that Nigel Baker passed away last weekend. To paraphrase the words of the sea shanty, ‘Tom Bowling’: Faithful below Nigel did his duty, and now he’s gone al-oo-oft, and now he’s gone aloft.  On reflection, I have a lot to thank you for Nigel, so here are some rememberences through a long lens back to the halcyon days of my teens.... Nigel Baker was Group Scout Leader of the 3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scout Group. When I joined in 1971 as a tender eleven year-old, Nigel and the other members of the ‘Ward Room’ were austere figures of authority, with a smartness and discipline that I had never before encountered.  Together, they exposed me to messing about in boats, camping, hiking, a love of the outdoors, cooking, self-reliance and some deep friendships that have stood the long test of time.  The Sea Scout Group had two 30 foot old wooden motor boats - a gr...

(Written from home after the event)... Struck camp for the last time on the trip, thinking that my gear probably won’t see the light of day again until next year.  We set out to the east, and soon said goodbye to Rod, who forked off, bound for Hereford. Guy and I rode on to Usk. We stopped for coffee in the flower garden of a posh interior decor shop. All went well until I needed the loo - I had to queue in a rather confined fancy room. Clearly, all the posh fragrances that were on display couldn’t shroud the odours of this sweaty cyclist who had spent the past week in the saddle!! Noses were turned..... A fine ride along the old A40 from Usk to Chepstow, then a meal deal sandwich lunch outside our favourite Tesco Express.  Next, over the old Severn Bridge, and around the western outskirts of Bristol. We found our way onto the familiar run of the Bristol to Bath Cycleway, and shared this last segment of our trip with legions of other cyclists, dog walkers and pram pushers....

(Written from home after the event!).... After an enjoyable evening and a good pub tea in Rhayader, we set out on the road again. Soon into beautiful but hilly country. The morning ride was tough. The high point was a long climb, the last part of which was so steep that I had to walk, although Rod somehow managed it! The panoramic view from the top was magnificent.  After the pass, we descended and rode to Hay-on-Wye. A lovely, but rather twee, place. A fine afternoon tea was enjoyed in The Granary.  The main event of the afternoon was climbing Gospell Pass. This is the highest road in Wales. A long climb up, but at sensible gradients. We reached the top to enjoy more spectacular and sweeping views.  Then, a glorious long downhill run, ending up at Llanthony Priory, the remains of an Augustinian monastery, where we camped. A lovely evening in the Crypt Bar!

Packed up in the dry - yippee! However, there was a cool northerly wind blowing. First leg was up the valley to Tregaron where we stopped to buy supplies. Then on to Strato Florida, the site of an old Cistercian Abbey, where we stopped for coffee and cakes.  The route on took us up into the glorious Cambrian Mountains. Long, steady ascents and really spectacular scenery. Eventually we reached the beautiful Elan Valley, and marvelled at the fine Victorian water engineering. Follwed the cycle track alongside the tiered reservoirs, gently descending into Rhayader.  The shortest day riding so far, but certainly the most spectacular scenery, and also the best weather (so far!!).

A damp start. We contemplated delaying our start, but decided that it wasn’t really much more than heavy mist, and the forecast was for steady improvement. We followed an enjoyable back route to Fishguard, retracing some of the sections of the Tour of Pembrokeshire, just a few weeks ago (but ingrained in my memory!).  Fishguard marked the end of the Celtic Trail and Route 4 - a magnificent journey.  We then headed over towards Cardigan. We found a great traditional Welsh pub for an excellent home-cooked lunch of fishcakes and chips.  The afternoon ride was along main roads, and extremely hilly - good exercise! We eventually reached Lampeter, and found a very pleasant, completely deserted campsite at Teify Meadows. Back to Lampeter for Liver and Onions for tea. 

A wet start to the day. Managed to pack up without getting everything soggy! We rode along to Tenby, and Route 4 took us on a nice scenic way through the town. Then on to Pembroke, the navigation through which was less straightforward! Down the hill to Pembroke Dock, and a Big Breakfast in Tesco for the second day running! Then on over the bridge and along the old railway track, around the outskirts of Haverfordwest, towards Broadhaven. Rod skilfully avoided several undulations to bring us onto the front at Newgale. After a relatively light lunch of sandwiches, we rode straight up the monster hill out of Newgale, and on to St Davids. Whilst I’d ridden through the city a couple of times previously, I’d never seen the cathedral before. It’s in quite a spectacular setting - must return as a tourist sometime. The afternoon ride was grand. We finally managed to get some speed up, and took some delight in racing past some mountain bikers with our huge pannier loads on. We found a lov...

After a good stop at the Three Cliffs campsite - yurts an option! - we continued on our journey. A hilly first few miles back to Route 4. A fine ride through wetlands, then across to the waterfront by Llanelli. Some very fancy new homes by the shoreline. We stopped at the Visitor Centre cafe for coffees, and got back into our morning groove of two cakes each (purely for their calorific value. Next, on to Camarthen, and a further feeding station. This time it was Tesco’s cafe for a ‘Big Breakfast’ - marvellous, but not to be continued after the trip. The afternoon ride could be described as being extremely undulating. I stopped at one stage, in desperate need of flapjack and chocolate shortbread. Finally, after all the afternoon hills, we found ourselves down at sea level, riding through a series of tunnels into Saundersfoot.  The downside was that the campsite was at the top of the hill - yet another monster climb. A quick pitch of tents, then back down the hill to the pub fo...

The day began with a welcome cup of tea and a bowl of Rod’s legendary porridge - marvellous! We set out back on Route 47, with a delightful ride through the Three Forests. Smooth, tarmaced track surface and lovely woodland.  We followed Route 47 to Qaker’s Yard, and joined the Taff Trail briefly, before continuing west on Route 47, just north of Pontypridd. We rode progressively up (and up) into the mist and rain. Set out on the long track section of the route, but took the decision that we were proceeding too slowly and that the rough surface would likely damage the bikes, so turned back.  A long descent to discover a small shop that served very welcome coffee and cakes.  Recharged, we headed back for Route 4. A fine lunch of Spar sandwiches was enjoyed in a bus shelter in the rain. After some confusion finding the track, we rode through a nature reserve, then close to Bridgend.  Then on west, finding Margham Country Park. Unfortunately, we didn’...

Friday was a rather strange and stressful day. It should have been a gentle prelude to the week’s cycling trip that I had so been looking forward to. In the end, it was anything but that. However, I managed to get just about everything ticked off my tasklist before I turned in (except packing for the trip).  Friday was actually rather a momentous day - I accepted my new job offer, and tendered my resignation after 11 years at BMT! So, I got up super early this morning and packed. I’m a bit meticulous when packing for cycling trips. I have my faithful kit list, and make sure that everything goes in the right place. Panniers loaded and bike on roof, goodbye to Kim, then off to Mells for breakfast with Guy and Rosemary.  Finally, Guy and I kitted up and set off through the glorious Somerset hills, towards Bath. I’m always delighted to pedal through the Twin Tunnels.  We pressed on, along the Bath to Bristol Cycleway, and met up with Geoff for very welcome coffee and biscuits...

Kim and I had another go at tandem riding today. We rented a bike from New Forest Cycle Hire at Brockenhurst station. We followed one of the hire company’s standard routes through the forest to Buckler’s Hard for coffee, then on to Beaulieu for lunch. We then came back across heathland and more forest tracks to Brockenhurst.  We’re becoming more coordinated and confident at tandem riding with each outing. Today’s ride was about 23 miles, some on roads and some on good gravel tracks. Very much to be recommended 😁

Just into the sixth month of 2018, and finally Rainbow Aileen has been in salty water again!  My great friend Bri and I set out from Ashlett on the first high water.  The forecast had been for very light winds, but as we launched it was blowing a good Force 4.  It was a textbook launch from ASC slipway, a clear blue sky, and all looked good.  There followed the obligatory few minutes of fiddling, fuming and cursing the outboard motor gods, until at the point of giving up, the iron topsail roared into life, and we were away... Ashlett Creek is such an improbable place.  A lovely tidal creek, sandwiched between Fawley power station and the Esso oil refinery.  We headed out into Southampton Water, and turned left after passing the tanker tugs.  We had a splendid broad reach, but agreed that we were a little over-canvassed.  A reef was put in and we then flew along towards Southampton - absolutely marvellous.  We sailed right up past the moored...