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The Shortest Push.....
I went to bed early but when I woke up a new it was going to be a short day. I had thought that may be I
could push onto Worcester, but having had a chat with Rosie, we decided that Leominster might be a better bet.
(It has a Youth Hostel.) So knowing that no matter what I would be staying tommorow ( Wedneday ) in Leominster Rosie
booked a bed for me. I decided to push on knowing that if I could ride the 60 miles to Leominster I would have the whole
day shopping and hopefully a good chance of finding an Internet Cafe to update my web pages.
Anyway I set off with all this in mind but it was clear from the outset that Shrewsbury was probably going to be it. By legs
were very sore, and I couldn't muster the energy to get going. It didn't help that it was up hill out of Whitchurch ( as always ).
I used my Sat Nav to locate the right road, though I didn't really need it, and continued along the A49.
I was worried about when I was going to get rained on, but the weather while overcast was dry and with the big breakfast (biggest yet)
in side me I pushed on waiting for the rain. I had been unable to wash my clothes, so no matter where I stayed I would need to wash and dry
two sets of clothes.
The road undulated but after a couple of hours I arrived at the town limits of Shrewsbury and down the hill towards the town centre. I saw
a small shopping parade on the right with a computer shop, so I stopped off to get directions for the nearest Internet Cafe. The lads who run
the shop ( I have left my notes with its name ) told me that there were none, but I could use one of their computers. So I must have spent 3 hours
updating web pages, and they even brought me cups of coffee while I did so. I have to say a thank you very much to them, without their help I would not have got things
back on track. Thanks boys!!
I didn't really want to leave, but with some encouragement I was on my way, to the next shop up the road which was a cycle shop. Yesterday the bike
had been squeeking really badly and I thought it was really hard going up the hills. I figured that I needed some lubrication, so I stopped and bought
some chain oil. The lad had a quick look but nothing looked obviously wrong.
It would appear that Shrewsbury is a hot bed of bike theft, because all the lads (bike and computer shop) warned me that if my bike wasn't
locked up, it would be nicked!!
Anyway by now it was 15.30ish so cycled into the town centre to find a B+B. The lads in the bike shop pointed me in the right direction, and
at the second attempt I found a B+B called 164 (on 164 Abbey Forge). While I waited for the lady I rang up and spoke to the Tom Tom support
support people. They basically told me it was my fault the cradle broke and my TomTom was crushed. Some cheek!!
Anyway I was installed and doing my washing by 16.45pm. The Ladies had kindly offered to put my washed clothes in the tumble dryer and dry them
for me which they did.
I went for a wander around the town centre. It is very nice, and seemed to feature Balti curry houses, and cook shops!! In the end I ended up
having tea in the Dunn Cow pub which had been recommended to me. I had the biggest Steak dinner you can imagine. I couldn't eat it all. I have got
to think about my weight you know.
In the end it was another early night and I slept well despite the crash of work boots of some contractors who were staying also. They crept (not) into bed
at 1.30am!!
Tommorow I should be back on track with a 40mile cycle to Leominster
Speak to you tomorrow Phil
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