24th July An early start and back into home territories.

An early night as I wanted to be up early and get some miles in before it was too hot. I did hear the female tawny last night but no male reply, obviously she had been stood up. Other sounds was the colossal thunderstorm overhead twice during the night and the wind really got up as well. I was safe and sound and dry in my fitted tent.

I awake 5.30 but the tent is soaked and so decided to stay in bed to let it dry off a little. 6.15 up and everything packed away, sun rise over to my right was lovely, and I was on the road by 7.

As I stopped for my early morning phone call with Jayne, two Goldfinches on the thistle tops and two hares caught my attention on the fields. The route is just gently undulating and I actually get into the big ring on a couple of occasions, it has been redundant since I set off. Then I hear ‘alittlebitofbreadandapieceofcheeeeeese’

My first yellow hammers of the trip. The sun and temperatures are both rising. I make Cambridgeshire and I’m riding through Villages with schools I have supported in the past. Lovely to go through these villages again.

Breakfast comes after 30 miles in a little bistro, lovely food and cakes but no option of a fry up.

I hit the A10 and there is a lovely smooth cycle track by the side and I catch up with Barry ( yes that’s right, I catch up another cyclist!). We ride side by side and have a chat. He was a runner but knees and feet have let him down so he is now cycling for fitness. He has unfinished business with a mountain in the Himalayas. He had come within 200 feet of the summit previously. I love the fact he is determined enough to get fit again to go and finish this off.

The cycle paths through the outskirts of Cambridge meant I made good time. Lots of Lycra clad cyclists whizzing in the opposite direction and hardly any acknowledged my friendly wave and greeting. Very unusual, yesterday as I was going up a hill a cyclist went past and said great pace getting that lot up here. It is that sort of welcome I have been more used to. It was not long before I was heading to Newmarket. Great horse statues on the roundabouts. There were no horses on the acres of green gallops and in this heat it seems very sensible.

Lunch stop after 52 miles in Kentford. First time I’ve felt underdressed as I have my lunch surrounded by ladies that lunch. I was given a table in the far corner out of the way. My body in Lycra would obviously put them off their lunch. I make my lunch last an hour and a half to keep out of the midday sun.

The afternoon sun was scorching and the road was melting again. Plenty of stops at shops for cool drinks. The route also went through a wooded area with tree branches reaching across the road. The dappled shade was very very welcome. Each stop to check the map I had to find shade. If you stopped in the open you had the sun from above and the reflected heat from the tarmac, cooking from both ends.

Somehow in my mind I had miscalculated the distance to Banham. A slight navigational hitch, nothing like day 2 so relax, meant cycling further than intended. My ride with gps said turn right, where there was no turn right. There was a private property but my trespassing days are over. 82 miles covered but seemed longer and harder work than usual.

I finally make it to Banham and use the shop to get my evening sandwiches and cold beer before heading to the campsite. I can hear the monkeys/chimpanzees, that will be different to wake up to. I was hoping I might be in time to see Sam the Bald Eagle being exercised but was too late.

Washing of clothes and me complete. Things hanging out to dry, clothes that is! Shouldn’t take too long. Genevieve the clothes horse again.

They say that every day is a school day. Tonight I met with my old chair of Governors and I learnt a new word. Phoque french for seal. Make of that what you will. It was lovely to meet her and her daughter who was in my school and watch the role reversal. Have you got your phone? Is it charged? Just so funny to watch and although this will embarrass her daughter, what a fine young adult they have turned into. I wish her well as she goes to Uni. I get the text message she is coming over to see me after messages with her husband on Facebook. She had to put clothes on first Before coming over, so to be fair I put on some underwear for the first time in a week. Well fairs fair.

I also met an ex parent who helped coach rugby in my school. Again lovely to catch up with news of the four boys. How they are all finding their own way and knowing the things they love to do. Sport being a very important part and kayaking ( for Britain in their age group) a real feature. They want to get me out on the water. It was lovely that both these people took time out to come and have a drink and catch up after several years of not seeing them.

Another early start tomorrow to beat the heat and hopefully the second cardinal point by lunchtime. I’m determined to get to Ranworth tomorrow night to meet with my cycle club ( 53-11) who have a cake ride on a Thursday night. They will leave me for dead afterwards, I know that, but it should be fun. Tomorrow night should also mean a night in my own bed and see my wife and Alf, as I’m going right past the door. This might make it harder to leave on Friday. Genevieve also needs a little TLC, especially the brakes before I go on Friday.