So, in order to make sure that i would be in top condition for my long bike ride to Cornwall, I decided to go to the harbour festival in Bristol yesterday. It was brilliant and I can't believe I've never been before. This however turned into quite a late night and a sore head this morning.

I spent the afternoon faffing and eventually was about to set off at about 4pm only to discover as I wheeled the bike out the door that both tires were flat!

Thinking that the trip was doomed before it had started (being Sunday and only having one inner tube), I pumped air back into the tires and they seemed to hold. My brother Steve had been up the night before...not accusing anyone of anything ...Just saying.

Today was the perfect day for biking! Glorious sunshine and not too hot. The route out of Bristol is pretty flat so a great way to start and get used to the bike, which still remains nameless.

I'm trying to avoid the bigger roads for obvious reasons and use cycle routes where possible. This lead me to head for the strawberry line, an old disused railway line linking Yatton and cheddar. Its a beauty.

The bike eats up the miles quite happily even with the extra weight of the panniers although there is a squeak which will drive me mental unless I find the source: a job for me when I reach my campsite.

I've only done 27 miles today but I'm going to do a few more in a bit as I look for somewhere to sleep. Currently I'm in the the Woodborough inn in the village of winscombe, north somerset. I've just had a chicken pasta dish which was badly needed.

After posting this I'm off again on my bike to find a field to sleep in. I'm a little wary of inbred cows but am hopeful of a good nights sleep.

Until tomorrow.