Day 15 Two Bridges to Wellington
Quick facts:
Weather: cloudy with the possibility of rain starting at 7 am. H 24 L 12 Humidity 76%
Depart: Cherybrook BnB Two Bridges
Destination: The Blue Mantle 2 Mantle Street Wellington TA21 8AW
Planned distance: 50.9 mi 81 km
Planned ascent: 2,602
Planned descent: 3,599
Actual ride see Raloh’s Strava record Route: https://www.cycling4charity.org.uk/august-15
Good day.
I didn’t wake up to the sound of a rooster crowing… which surprised me. Instead my alarm actually woke me up at 6 am. This is very unusual for me. Another unusual event is the appearance of some light cloud cover. The weather forecast actually has up to a 32% chance of rain this morning. My host Chris here at Cherrybrook has been checking his water cistern with concern but his springs are still keeping up with demand. Having lived on rural properties with poor wells, I know how to take a water limited shower. Some BnB’s in the area have closed due to no water. This is a concern I hadn’t considered. As usual, Ralph had the “golden touch” when he chose Cherrybrook.
7:30 am. There is a soft gentle rain as I do my yoga. The moor ponies and sheep must be thrilled. We were served a lovely breakfast of very local (behind the house) fresh eggs, fruit, jams and toast seated at a table looking at the moor.
By the time we actually had “wheels rolling” the sun was shining through.
I can’t give you a commentary about Dartmoor. All I can say is that it is 100% beautiful, rugged, quaint, picturesque and the animals are everywhere! A series of photos is the best I can do. I may never get off the moor!
Ralph saying goodbye to Chris at the Cherrybrook BnB
A little walking bridge:
Garden at the edge of the moor:
Views to make your soul happy, smooth pavement for miles:
You have been warned about road hazards!
Ponies to watch to your heart’s content:
A little fellow growing up on the moor:
Yellow gorse and purple heather….
After pedalling out of Dartmoor National Park there were still many photo stops.
I passed a miniature pony farm where the ponies came up to a child’s waist.
Up a hill or two I came upon the gate house of Bovey Castle. A 5* hotel with a lush green golf course. It begs the question: Where are they getting the water to pour on those greens?
A few more hills up and down even though it was a net « downhill » day as the signs confirm.
The next thing I knew we were back in Exeter. Thankfully not going back to the Holland Hall on the hill, but just cycling through.
As we were pedaling up Fore Street I saw a bikeshed sign. We have a challenge finding pumps for our tires so I turned in and Ralph followed. We got a cap for the end of my handlebars… plus an extra and I went bike light shopping!
Andy at the Bikeshed sold me a new Bontrager front light to replace the Knog I bought before I left Ottawa. They pumped our tires and Andy installed the light while I enjoyed the facilities of this very well stocked large shop. Thank you Andy!
The predicted thunderstorms arrived with a vengeance as we chatted at the bikeshed and watched the torrent come down. We waited out the thunder storm then headed off in our raingear….never to see a drop of rain all evening.
A shout out to the bikeshed. If you are in Exeter drop by.
We passed over some familiar roads as we wiggled through Exeter and out on mainly quiet B roads into Wellington. Wellington is a sizeable « market town » as they describe it. Our host and hostess Andrew and Louise Avery were waiting to welcome us to the Blue Mantle Guesthouse.
It was 8 pm. Time to tuck the bikes safely away for the night!
Safe cycling.
Lorraine