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...