Day 11 started badly when "Mien Hosts" at the The Parva farmhouse failed to appear to unlock the dining room at 8am sharp. Nine grumpy cyclists (none more so than Duts) mooched around the sitting room, accompanied by two grumpy support drivers, and even two normal guests joined in (although I suspect that the bird was rather anxious for her brekkie!!). Anyway after a while with Micky leaning on the bell they appeared looking rather flustered apparently having slept in (electric storm and all that!) so brkkie was late, we were late leaving and the bl***y rain didn't stop coming down in stair rods.

When we departed, wet within seconds the route took us up a long climb from Tintern Parva to Chepstow Racecourse and then down to the old Severn crossing (the Severe Weather Warning in progress promised to make this interesting and it didn't disappoint!) and then into the maze of Brizzle/Avonmouth. Several navigational c*** ups, arguments, head scratchings and an excursion on to the M5 later, and we were out toward Portishead.

What followed was a long, long ride, 81 miles in total, with a head wind which was gusting in the region of 30 knots, which all in all, made for a thoroughly miserable, and long, day. The peleton ground very slowly on, and on, and on, and bl***dy on, by Bridgewater, toward Taunton, and finally west to Wiveliscombe. We arrived a scattered, tired, disheartened bunch but we were also very proud of what we had achieved. The contribution of Big Al and Mini Al, driver and co-driver respectively, and Happy Shoppers, kettle boilers, and general "Gophers" cannot be underestimated. I for one would be really struggling without them!

Anyway, here we are in Wiveliscombe, staying opposite the CAMRA Pub of the Year 2007, loads of Real Ale available as well as Addlestone's Cloudy Cider. Tonight, all is right with the world. In fact, I am typing this, beer in hand, sat in the bar, on the FREE internet console! Bliss!!!