Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

Cycling from London to Spain

Day 9 Ironbridge to Hartford

Distance 56.9 miles

Ascent 759 metres

The start of the day as we get our bikes ready to roll.
The bunting and crowds are out to greet us. It was the Audlem Festival of Transportation. No room for the support van to park – too much transportation. We move on elsewhere for lunch.
Wanted to have a dance but the rest of the team not keen. All cyclists need a dance at some stage. It is good for the soul and the sole. Just needed Shirley and Alison to join me.
The sun came out for our visit to the Aquaduct Marina at Church Minshull. The pace is even slower than my cycling.
The historic market town of Northwick where we had our lunch.
The team enjoying a nice cup of tea. Just 6 miles to go.
JP takes the tandem for a ride with some help from Dexter. Radu our guide photo bombing.

No television in the bar and the one in my room not working so watched first half of the big match on my phone. More exhausting than the cycle ride but what a result. Fantastic achievement for the Lionesses and a merry evening meal for us.

The next ride will be longest so far.

alisonmiddleditch

3 responses to “Day 9 Ironbridge to Hartford”

  1. Simon Buckingham avatar
    Simon Buckingham

    Well Hello Alison,

    I’ve just turned my back for a couple of days and here you are at Hartford. What a magnificent way to see the land of your birth. And so many events and museums. What a well planned tour- the timing must have been a logistical nightmare.

    Some of the ascents seem as punishing as those you encountered in Spain. So far, you have ascended 9430 metres -and that is not counting Day 1. No wonder your thighs are burgeoning. Anyone’s would.

    I have been exercising as well. We recently had a small oak tree felled in the garden and I have been converting massively girthed (one might almost describe them as burgeoning) oak roundels down to dimensions that can be comfortably slipped into our woodburner. My word, sometimes I return to the kitchen dizzy and unable to raise my right arm above waist height. But I have been assisted by a little device I obtained on the internet known as a ‘Roughneck Grenade splitter’ which is making life a great deal easier. I have been encouraging others to acquire this modestly priced implement, but have been surprised how many already have it. ‘Oh, the old Roughneck’, they say. Or “I wouldn’t even approach the job without a grenade splitter’. I’m always the last to know, Alison.

    Anyway, we are continually encouraged by your blogs, which provide the usual inspiration. Your companions seem delightful and the accommodation satisfyingly provided with luxurious unguents. What more could you wish for, apart from it all stopping for a bit?

    Well done and good luck !!!

    Simon and Lynn.

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    1. alisonmiddleditch avatar
      alisonmiddleditch

      Are you becoming a lumberjack? Most impressed at your new skills.
      Delighted to have our total metres ascent. Too exhausted to do the sums at night.

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  2. ixonchitts avatar
    ixonchitts

    Loving the updates, Alison. Please keep them going. At least you dont have a language problem this trip (well until you get North of the border) xxx

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