Day 14 middlewich to Bridnorth

A very tired and extremely grumpy trio of cyclists awoke thus morning to the searing heat if the sun. Dozily we packed our tents and belongings, skipping breakfast (well bar whatever we could source from our bar bags ), and made ready to leave. Mine of us feeling enthused and ready for the 60 miles ahead. Richard the owner of the campsite met us at the gate, wished us luck and gave us £10 towards our charities, amazing bloke. Unfortunately even this did not cure the grumps.
We made for middlewich town centre and found some hearty breakfasts in a cafe there, as well as a tescos for supplies. It must have been nearly eleven when we finally began, still miserable from the efforts previous and tired from the small rest time we had managed.
With breakfast and tea we headed first to Nantwich, a nice looking town. We continued on quite country lanes, often having the road to ourselves, and the glaring sunshine. As the afternoon sun heated up, it was a scorcher of a day! Copious amounts of sun cream have been used, and water bottles filled and drunk many times over. We stopped for elevensies 15 miles in at the side of the road, and managed upon a morrisons in market drayton for lunchtime, where a second large meal was consumed, this one with vegetables! Vegetables really are amazing when you have eaten "only beige food" for 2 weeks.
From market drayton the heat became debilitating, we hid in a shadow for probably 10 minutes before mustering the courage to venture into it. Once on the road we took full advantage of each and every morsel of shade.
This was the halfway point, and myself and Rachel were starting to feel a little brighter. Chris still looked like a teenager thats been told he can't go on an all night pub crawl. The heat made going to Telford tough going . By the way, in case you dont know, Telford is on the top of a whacking great hill! 600feet up! Jeez that was a sweat fest. Telford done, again using cycle paths as much as possible we stopped at a pub to refill the bottles again. At this point we phoned tonights campsite to double check facilities, good job too as they had none. So it was decided to do an extra 5 or 6 miles and go to stanmore touring park. So heading on we passed through ironbridge gorge. The clue was in the name really ; gorge. Very steep descent down 500 foot, then very steep ascent up 500 foot. Had to push up that one! After that we spent 7 miles on the A442 road, before another big descent to bridnorth and a garage with tescos extra. We phoned the campsite once more ti check if they had a shop or not and confirm directions. Shop shut (no prob tescos extra next to us) and only a mile or so to the campsite up a road. Excellent! Food bought we headed off. As we round the corner we see it. What they didn't say was its just over mile up a HUGE hill. Sea levelish to over 500 foot AGAIN but just about climbable with bottom gear. With a shower and the end in sight I gave that hill everything! As I got to the top and rounded the corner to the campsite I was elated and buzzing with energy.
A 5 star campsite! I didn't really know what that meant. I still dont really, But what we got was fantasticly polite service, hot powerful showers and a magic site. Theres a lake, oak trees everywhere, peacocks (out of tune ones), ducks. Its just magical.
we showered and then spent 2 hours sat on (our) picnic bench, drinking tea and chatting. I got to have a conversation on the phone with my wife, and I have finished the day feeling so much better than when I started. Even Chris managed a smile or two.
Tomorrow takes us 60 miles to Chris' parents, which means no campsite faff, proper meal at the end, and a rest day plus visits from my wife and kids on sunday. I cannot wait
Miles cycled: 67.5
Clouds seen: 4
Times bottles refilled: 4
Best foodstuff : peas (amazing!)