25th July Second Cardinal Point achieved and cooked again

Lots of owl calls last night, most I could not recognise, but then Banham Zoo has lots of species there. Waking up this morning was like being on safari with all the different animal calls. I was awake early and thought I’ll just have another 5 minutes and 45 minutes later I woke up. I must have been tired, it can’t be anything to do with the beer I had last night. A dry warm morning and I took my time as I packed away dry kit and a dry tent. A quick breakfast and away by 8, an hour later than I had hoped for, it now means I will be out in the midday sun before Lowestoft Ness. The first day of the summer holiday and I realise that is why the campsite was so expensive- peak period has begun. Why is it the more expensive the campsite, the harder and rougher the toilet paper is? Got to look after yourself when spending so much time in the saddle.

It is a beautiful morning for riding but the the heat of the sun is soon very noticeable. Good job I put on the sun cream before I left camp. I am riding through an area I know well but had chosen a route that took me through some new roads to me. The trouble was I kept missing turns as I thought I knew where I was going. A new species of bird for the trip when I spy some linnets on the telegraph wires. The variation in churches and their construction is also a wonder to behold.

I move between Norfolk and Suffolk and the road to Bungay and Beccles is rolling and I am back in the granny gear again at times. I make it to Beccles for 11.30 and stop at a little cafe. I am met by Sue and Lois who greet me with a ‘Welcome Young man’, I will have to go back again. It was only slightly spoilt when Lois had to put her glasses on to write down my order. One of the local ladies recommends the cinnamon cake and so that is good enough for me along with a bacon butty. When the food arrives the cake is given its own little pink net cloche, at least its in my club colours.

I know Beccles well having stage managed several shows in the public hall. We have made it rain on stage for ‘Singing in the Rain’ and had a morris minor on stage for ‘Our House’ the madness musical, and I go on autopilot to get through the town. Forgetting I’m cycling and not in my car and I really didn’t want to ride on the busy main road, I have to retrace my steps to get on the quiet back roads to Lowestoft.

Finally onto Lowetoft Ness for the most Easterly point in GB. It’s not the most salubrious area you ride through to get there, but I am pleased to get there. Even the sign post has seen better days. Retrace my route back into Lowestoft and head to a cafe (Martello’s) that has been recommended to me. The park is crammed full of families and children as it is the first day of the summer holidays. I still join in with the singalong of ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ and lots of children running around trying to pop the bubbles being blown. Genevieve manages to burst three as I get myself sorted. The food and celebratory beer were spot on.

I ride further along the coast to Great Yarmouth. Just as I turn to head to ride along the sea front I see two young boys heading towards me on scooters with Gran following behind. Just as they reach me, the oldest of the boys ( around 5 years old) takes a tumble, just lays there, a few moments silence before the crying starts and I can see the trickle of claret on his knee. Gran comes running up. I stop and offer my first aid kit to help clean Oakley up. When I tell him the plasters are for cyclists and people on scooters, and they have been tested and shown to make you go faster (aero plasters- might be mileage in patenting that) he is soon smiling and laughing again. Gran is grateful and says the only thing she hadn’t packed for a day at the beach was plasters.

I have spoken with Jayne and we have decided if I can make it home before my cycle clubs’ Thursday Night Cake ride this would be beneficial. As I’m in my local area I decide to take a different route to the one I had planned and try and get home earlier. Later I find it is the hottest day on record and I know I drank over two litres of fluid in the last 18 miles. I don’t have my usual afternoon stop and I am struggling for the last 5 miles and I am wriggling on the saddle.

Lovely to get home and 5.55pm and to be greeted by Jayne, even Alf came out to say hello. I quickly get things in the washing machine, electrical stuff on charge and unload Genevieve. The tidy house not looking as it did 5 minutes earlier. The luxury of a bath ( without mould around the seals as the previous campsite) and in proper clothes to go and meet the cycle club.

It’s lovely to see everyone again. The cake is excellent as usual, thanks sally. My belgian tan, or what appear to be white socks now, is obviously a fashion statement that many are envious of, There is one request for some sex in the blog but you’ve had blood and gore instead. They unanimously agree I should camp in the garden tonight or else it would be cheating. They also want the next chapter of the blog but as yet it was unwritten. While we were there a message comes in from Barry from Cambridge- the mountaineer I met yesterday. I am quite touched he has taken the time to find the blog and is following. His comment also makes me laugh,I’ve pasted it below, it also shows I’m not making this up.

‘I’m glad I made your day, overtaking another cyclist, it did nothing for mine watching you fully laden and so comfortable. Alongside my knees and feet I am also recovering from open heart surgery and ongoing problems, well that’s my excuse. I look forward to reading the reports of your odyssey as you travel the country, you must be so inspirational to so many people. I’m rooting for you to pass some more cyclists so I’m not the only one on such a long trip. Best wishes for the rest of the journey and take care.’

It was a pleasure to ride with you Barry and once a fully laden bike is up and rolling it does roll along very nicely. Its just starting, stopping and hills that cause an issue, we were on a lovely, flat, smooth cycle track.

An impromptu pizza and beer and the pub near the cake stop and the thunder and lightening start with a vengeance. Quite a light show on the way home. Home again and Genevieve is given some TLC upside down in the living room. New brake pads, I’ve gone though a new set in a week and 540 miles. All down to a heavy bike and me being chicken on the downhills. Hopefully good for the rest of the ride.

Guess what, I’m not camping in the garden tonight!!!