Day 6 Two to Taunton

Woke up about 4, there were a couple of  birds chirping but then as daylight increased, the Dawn chorus started. Quite a racket but pleasing to hear.

I got up and made a tea, then started tidying up my dry clothes.

 There are a few things i must check each morning: phone is charged, tyres pumped up, wet gear stowed last, water bottles full and snacks in the barbag. Not forgetting, wallet in jacket pocket, cycle computer zero'd, chain looks like it has some lube on it and brakes are ok. 

Had to oil the chain but for once i didn' t need to hunt for my cycle mits..... and er my wallet. I have wasted a lot of time looking for things, if only I could put them back in the same place. 

Michael had suggested going by the 'old' main road to Tiverton. We did and it saved 2 miles on my original route. While starting off dry, the rain was not far away but it was relatively light and had stopped just as we reached Morrisons in Tiverton. More cake and tea! Tiverton is very cycle friendly, lots of shared pavements and Toucan crossings. 

12 miles done and it was only 1020.

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The next few miles included a stretch of the Great Wester. Canal ( pic above). We only saw one canalboat under power but quite  a few being used for reading the papers in. Folk enjoying their holiday weekend break. 

A few miles east of Tiverton and we get a view looking SW to Dartmoor. Its a dark outline on the horizon and i get feeling that we are making some progress now. We also passed the 200 mile mark this morning. 

We reach a place called Nynehead and there is an interesting feature we cycle through. A small gorge but very atmospheric. It is damp and dark with ferns and moss covering the sides. The rock looks like red sandstone which is the same colour as the now familiar to me, red soil in the fields. 

(The camera shows it being a lot brighter than it is)

From here down to Taunton we dont have to do too much pedalling and enjoy the gradual descent. 

Tesco is thefirst big shop we find, we need need a new pack of cards. The last got soaked yesterday. I have not mentioned this but there is an interdsting International Sporting event going on during this trip - the Scotland v England Cribbage Tour of Britain. Tha score is even, 2/2 for now. We dont get cards here but do in Taunton. 

Soon we are out the south side and heading for the village of Henlade and Ashe Farm campsite. 

Lovely site and a sunny end to our easiest day so far. 40 miles today. 

Tonights cribbage result, England lead by 2. (Is that Val i can hear cheering?)