Day Fourteen, 10-31-07

Flying home.
The trip to the airport went smoothly. I got a cab from the room and made it to the Train Station and got the ticket for the bus. When I got outside, the bus was loading. It was as simple as that.
This has been a wonderful trip. The people I have met and the places I found will always be fond memories. I was so lucky to have found such a great little town and such a wonderful place to stay.
The roads were very challenging. A great place for a vacation and something always to remember. I will be happy to be home. I love the thought of being back in Dover and back to a simple life of being in my own space and having my own kitchen.
Work starts tomorrow. I will be there at 12:00 and that's when, I'm sure the stories will start.

Final note: The crunch in the hub was a broken tooth on one of the Planet gears and not enough of a problem to have had to take the hub apart and replace the part on the road, I overhauled it when I got back to Dover and was back on the Golden Arrow with average speeds back to 18 mph three days later.

The Broken Planet Gear

Day Thirteen, 10-30-07

Woke to a sunny but rainy day at the same time! Big rain Bow in the back yard over the town. I didn't have enough time to photograph it.
This is my last morning here in Totnes. I'm looking forward to have the traveling part of my trip behind me. I have had a wonderful vacation but don't look forward to dealing with the airport and such. I just now finished with packing the bike. It all fit together nicely. Heavy, but tight. Im going tie up loose ends here and then head out for a walk and take the stereo camera to do a roll. I want to be to the station around 12.55 so as to not have to rush things. I'm not sure what track the train goes out on ,etc.

The stay on the farm has been great. It worked out very well to be in one spot and ride from here. I liked having a home to come to at the end of the day instead of not knowing where Im going and having to carry all my stuff. Learning a new country, I felt is best done slowly. Having the time to learn the town has made the trip fun and restful and exactly the vacation I needed. Things have gone very smoothly today. I made it down town and finished my color film. Made it to the cafe for emails and back to the top of the hill to finish packing and be on time for the cab. I had A nice final chat with Janet. She wants me to write here when I get to Dover, Will do Janet!

Janet Hooper

The high speed train

Boxed bike and bag

The cab came on time. I got to the train station nice and early and had enough time to rest and get ready for the next step.

Im on the train now. I have a seat with a table at it. Nice. I have chosen the side so Im facing forward. The food on the train is expensive. I was expecting a cheeseburger, but found that they only had breakfast sandwich's The train is due to Reading at 3:55. That's perfect. Enough time to get a cab and get to the room. I will go out tonight and check out the town for a bit and be ready for the trip to Heathrow in the morning.

This part of the trip is not my favorite, but necessary. Passing through the tunnels on the train makes your ears pop. The pressure of the train going at speed through a small space causes the air pressure to rise and as so the cabin. Its intense at times. Its such a beautiful day today, very sunny. I'm still looking forward to being home. It will be nice to get back to it. The train travels an just over 100 mph. I turned on my GPS and the adv. Speed is 99.8. Its no wonder your ears pop in the tunnels. I should not complain. Things have ben great and this has been a fantastic vacation, but I have always felt that nothing is perfect and that when things get tough, the story's get good.
I got the cab from the station and made it to the Oakhurst hotel in Reading. Total dump. I thought, how lucky I am that my first stay at the Great Court Farm was so nice. It could have been like this for two weeks at the price I'm paying. 44 pounds The room smells like smoke, and I'm thinking of sleeping in my rain suit! Bad Joke, but, you know. I checked in and headed out for a walk to get things for the room. After about an hour and a half I found a bunch of stores owned and run by Indian and Pakistani's This a collage town and loaded with cute girls. I got back to the room and had a little snack and watched the Simpson's. Not bad. I'm sure I will be fine. Breakfast is at 7:00. The desk said they will call a cab. I'm about 3 miles from the bus station and more than enough time to make my flight at 1;00. Not a bad day, I got done what was needed to do. It doesn't really get better then that.

Day Twelve. 10-29-07

A Beautiful sunny morning, My last full day here. I have a few spots marked on my GPS and have plans to go back and photograph with both cameras. I want to spend the day on the bike and get back here before dark.

I'm not sure if I will pack the bike tonight or not. I can hear my mother saying, "Don't put thing off to the last minute!". So will see how I feel when I get back. Great day today. I got everything done that I needed to do plus. I went back to Gray's again and for the last time. It was one of the owners birthday and all morning people came in singing happy birthday. He seemed to be unimpressed, but that maybe what they love. It was fun listing the group sitting around at the table next to me. The other owner is a card. Two gay guys, Nice place. I headed out to the two spots had marked on the GPS.

The first photo shoot went well. The shots with the digital camera look great. Heading to second spot, when I was downtown, My hub made a very bad crunching noise and started acting strange. I seemed to get all gears, but in low made a new clunking noise. Whoops!
I took it easy on the hills, tried not to get out of the saddle and ride as smoothly as I could. I followed the GPS track but found that I needed to be on the east side of the Dart to get to where I had left the mark. I made it to the village and shot many shots with the Stereo and the digital camera
Lunch at a cute little public house called The Tally Ho Inn. Very nice, I had a pint and the Cod with chips with peas.
Back to the center of town, I got Food and Beer for the house and climbed the hill without a problem.
I washed the bike and shoes and packed it so as not to put it off to the last minute.
Janet and her husband David have gone out and I'm in the room snacking and watching the tube. I'm about 75% packed and paid up. So tomorrow, my last day here, I will finish packing and head out to shoot as much with the digital camera so as to not have film in the camera for the pass through the X -ray machine. My train is at 1:22 so I want to be down at the station by 1:00 so there wont be a problem. Good day all in all.

Day Eleven, 10-28-07

Rainy windy day. Very windy. The plan is to head down town on foot and take care of mail and come back later after the storm has blown over and go out on the bike for more photos and a ride. The Weather is said to clear so we will see about that. Im starting to worry about the money and the spending so I will need to slow down on that for a bit. I certainly don't want to run out of cash. I saw the kitty's run off into the barn with some kind of bird they had caught. Janet said she thought it was a pigeon. Such hunters. I saw the driveway where I park my Bicycle covered in white feathers. I don't think this was there first catch.
Its raining out now. The rain is going sideways through the sky. They still say it will clear later today by 3:00, Maybe not enough time to ride. Tomorrow looks good and nice to think that I will not be spending the day on the trains and bus's to see the collection at the museum.
Its almost 2:00 and its still blowing and wet. A lot like yesterday afternoon. I have been downtown and done emails and been to the store to get some things for the room, Im starting to think it might be wise to blow off the ride today. With the cloud cover and the earlier sunset it should be dark in about 2 hours and not enough time to do anything of distance.

I have made plans I think to meet Stewart at the 7's at 4:00, so I will head down in about an hour. I have to say that last night I had the best sleep. I was asleep by 9 and with the extra hour, I was up at 8:25. That's 12 hours of well needed. I had to stretch, but feel great. There's a nasty cold going around town and feel good that one, I'm not around people and two, sleeping to build up my strength. It will be nice to sit by the fire tonight. At the 7 Star. Its quarter past two now and still very wet and windy. I'm going to head down to the River Side and get some lunch and use the phone and see if I can reach Stewart for our meeting at 4:00. I went to the River Side and had the fish and chips. Not bad at all, and afterwards walked into town and took more photos. I went up to St Mary's and just walked around taking my time and getting different shots.

I got down to the 7's around 4:00 and ordered a pint. Shortly afterwards Stewart showed and we headed out for a different spot. We went to a pub called the Dartmouth Inn, that had a Cask Ale that had a gravity tap rather then a pump like the standard way they pour beer here. It was very fresh and possibly the best I have had.

Stewart introduced me to a Gentleman that use to race British Motorcycles years ago. I asked him if he still rode. He said ,"No". He said he gave it up when he was 27 years old because he thought it was a kid thing and he then needed to become a Man. Funny, I think sometimes that I gave up that Idea in trade for a life! After a night of rounds, Rose came and picked us both up and brought me back to the house in time for the new show, "Long Way Down", Like the show " Long Way Round, but a trip from John O Groats to cape horn in South Africa. Snacks and bed. Good nights sleep with a wake at 4am to check what happened with the World Series. The Red Socks Won, in 4 straight games! Very exciting!

Day Ten, 10-27-07

Another cloudy day but dry and very mild. Janet commented about the noisy man who dropped me off last night at breakfast, That's Stewart and the way he is and the certain attract I have to my new Canadian friend.
My day will start as usual, Shower and then head down for emails and a cup of strong black coffee. There s a cute gal staying at the B+B now, I didn't want to ask too many questions just yet, Maybe later we will chat. I found out later she was here for a class, downtown. Its really beautiful out, a little misty and very mild.
I'm at the Red Wizard and its the same group that greets me every morning. Very nice people, I'm not sure what they really think about me. I was told by Stewart that Totnes is considered to be the "Alterative" capital of Britain. Alternate thinkers, Kind of like The folks of San Francisco. I found the right town all by luck. There is a gal on the Internet here at the café now, so I'm just waiting and writing. I'm looking forward to being home now. Just to get back to it. Not really home sick, but thinking how nice it will be to be up in the woods on my mountain bike a week from tomorrow. The Fish and Chips with Rob at the OPG on Friday looks good. I will order 2 orders and split the second with Rob, its that good. I sorta hope the beer is flat!,
I will miss the British Bitter when I'm back, another thing that will drive me crazy not having it. I may need to find a new place that serves it. After here I need to get cash and have a ride around. I have been told that the weather for Sunday looks wet and for Monday, sunny again. I will pass on the museum, the travel time , loss of riding time and the expense would take a lot of the fun away. It would be like traveling up to New Hampshire to see bikes in distance if I were at home. The day went as planned. I finished with emails and went to the Tourist office and inquired about help in finding a room in Reading on Tuesday night as to be close enough to the airport to make my flight. They gave me a few numbers that I could try. I went to the Grocery to use the phone and get some food before my ride. I called a few spots to find that they were all booked. After being referred from one to another and another, I found a spot for 42 pounds (expensive) that will have me. They are about a mile and a half from the airport. That done, I went and sat down and had a Burger and fry's.

I headed out for my ride around 11:30. It was misting, but not raining. he type of mist that tickles your face and nose as you ride and making it necessary to stop and wipe off your glasses about every 20 minuets or so. I headed out on the bicycle trail that heads north out of town.

I found a Pub that a fellow in the Halifax airport coming here recommended and said I must go to while visiting Totnes. Its a spot called the Sea Trout Inn. It was very old and comfortable. I ordered a pint, checked the map, used there wash room and split. The roads were damp and the spots of dirt on the road were slippery making the rear tire spin while climbing. I headed out and away from Totnes north west trying to keep within 10 miles from Totnes and about 350' above sea level. It started to get really windy and the mist got heavy but never turned to rain.

I was getting cold and decided it best to head back to the house. I made it back around 4:00 and watched a little TV and napped. I'm up now and its raining. Resting in the room and watching the Beatles movie Help. I will be up for a while and need to turn the clocks back tonight as it is the end of Day Light Savings Time, or what they call, English Summer.

Day Nine, 10-26-07

Woke to a cloudy dry day of about 50 degrees. Great breakfast, came back to the room and made some post cards from the photos I picked up yesterday. I'm getting ready to shower and head down town to check my emails and see about tickets for my trip to the airport next Tuesday. I read that the tickets may be cheaper on non rush hour times and that if you buy them early. Afterwards

I will head north west and try to pick up on some of the northern National cycle route #2. After finishing email and finding that I had been charged as much as 40 dollars a call on my card I decided that I wont be making any more calls with the cash card. I will need to find a phone card later when I have to make calls getting ready to go home. I finished with mailing the cards and getting and sending emails and thought how nice it would be to go back to "Gray's" for "Cream Tea", Once a week. OK? Its so great, Very civilized and tons of calories for a day of riding. It really couldn't be any better and one of those things that will drive me crazy not being able to get it back home. I'm glad I went again, and will go once more before I leave on Tuesday afternoon.

I did have a pleasant surprise today, I found that the train ticket back to Reading was only 48 dollars and 24 pounds. The bus ticket is supposed to be around 13 pounds and not any cheaper if I wait, so I will. The ride today was fantastic. I headed north west on the bike trail out of the train station and got a little turned around but soon found myself on route again heading northwest. I did a slow round a-bout Totnes staying no more then 5 miles on the outskirts and trying to stay at about 450' above sea level. I went off the #2 route and felt fine , paying attention to the compass and the altimeter. In never rained but did get a little moist so I spent the day with my wind breaker on. Very comfortable. I found a very cute pub that when I looked at the hours of operation and my watch, was only going to be open for another 10 minutes. They said it would be fine to come in for a pint. Very cute place and very old. Very Narrow, Very Steep.

When I got back to the bike it was covered with a fine cover of dew. Never a drop. The air was wonderful. I love it when it gets damp with the smells greatly enhanced. I continued on. Trying to stay at least 5 miles out of town and never any lower then 300'. I came around a big right hand corner and downhill. There were huge stone arch's ahead that looked like the aqueduct for the Boston water works, yet taller. 2 seconds later the fast train went by. That answered my question about maybe being able to ride up there. I went under and crossed a busy street and continued on to find a Trout hatchery that had a sign saying they sold smoked fish. I had to pull in. About 3 dollars. I will have it for dinner with the chips and cheese. Beautiful afternoon, I thought it be best to have lights and reflector bands on. The roads are so magical. The smell of silage and cow is enchanting. It is so green, most likely from the wet summer they had here. I still cant get over the greenery on the sides of the road. I wondered who trimmed it and how often, until I came up to an egg delivery truck that just fit. Its sides were knocking off leaves as it passed. Forget about if it ever had to pass a bike. It just wouldn't happen! My trip here so far has been perfect. The place and room I'm staying couldn't be nicer. Janet makes such a fuss making sure everything's right. She is really a very loving and caring person.
The bike has performed better then I expected. The 22 tooth cog is exactly the gear for the hills. All but a few I have needed to get off and walk and its only because of the sun pinion on the axle, that I have broken on other Sturmey Archer AW's, that I'm worried about. I do carry a spare axle and the tools to change it, but I'm riding a 70 year old bicycle with a 70 year old transmission, and it has worked great! For those interested, I haven't seen any old Raleigh's, except a delivery bicycle locked, up the street. Its about a 1970, 28" rear wheel, 20" front, Rod brake. Even with the few problems I experienced at first. I'm starting to feel like I will miss being here very much when I'm at home, but know I will be beaming with joy when ever I think back as to the fun I'm having here on My Dream Bicycle, The Golden Arrow, and the places I have and will go. I haven't had a bad ride. I have never flatted and always in total cycling splendor. There are a few people that would love being here with me. I'm not sure if the hills would agree with them of if even the frequent stops for photos and pints that have made meeting people easier then if I had not. The riding is like being in a moving post card all the time, The distant sound of the antique Steam Train's whistle echoing through the hills with the 70 year old Raleigh I'm riding is like being back in time.. I stopped a the 7 star and wrote for a bit with a bag of chips and a pint of Jail Ale. Very yummy, and,, very smooth! After I need to head to the market and pick up some food for the house. It gets dark around 6:00 here, so I have about an hour before I move on.

Day Eight, 10-25-07

Woke to a cloudy dry day of about 50 degrees. Great breakfast, came back to the room and made some post cards from the photos I picked up yesterday. I'm getting ready to shower and head down town to check my emails and see about tickets for my trip to the airport next Tuesday. I read that the tickets may be cheaper on non rush hour times and that if you buy them early. Afterwards I will head north west and try to pick up on some of the northern National cycle route #2. After finishing email and finding that I had been charged as much as 40 dollars a call on my card I decided that I wont be making any more calls with the cash card. I will need to find a phone card later when I have to make calls getting ready to go home. I finished with mailing the cards and getting and sending emails and thought how nice it would be to go back to "Gray's" for "Cream Tea", Once a week. OK? Its so great, Very civilized and tons of calories for a day of riding. It really couldn't be any better and one of those things that will drive me crazy not being able to get it back home. I'm glad I went again, and will go once more before I leave on Tuesday afternoon. I did have a pleasant surprise today, I found that the train ticket back to Reading was only 48 dollars and 24 pounds. The bus ticket is supposed to be around 13 pounds and not any cheaper if I wait, so I will. The ride today was fantastic.

I headed north west on the bike trail out of the train station and got a little turned around but soon found myself on route again heading northwest. I did a slow round a-bout Totnes staying no more then 5 miles on the outskirts and trying to stay at about 450' above sea level. I went off the #2 route and felt fine , paying attention to the compass and the altimeter. In never rained but did get a little moist so I spent the day with my wind breaker on. Very comfortable.

I found a very cute pub that when I looked at the hours of operation and my watch, was only going to be open for another 10 minutes. They said it would be fine to come in for a pint. Very cute place and very old.
When I got back to the bike it was covered with a fine cover of dew. Never a drop. The air was wonderful. I love it when it gets damp with the smells greatly enhanced. I continued on. Trying to stay at least 5 miles out of town and never any lower then 300'. I came around a big right hand corner and downhill. There were huge stone arch's ahead that looked like the aqueduct for the Boston water works, yet taller. 2 seconds later the fast train went by. That answered my question about maybe being able to ride up there. I went under and crossed a busy street and continued on to find a Trout hatchery that had a sign saying they sold smoked fish. I had to pull in. About 3 dollars. I will have it for dinner with the chips and cheese. Beautiful afternoon, I thought it be best to have lights and reflector bands on.

The roads are so magical. The smell of silage and cow is enchanting. It is so green, most likely from the wet summer they had here. I still cant get over the greenery on the sides of the road. I wondered who trimmed it and how often, until I came up to an egg delivery truck that just fit. Its sides were knocking off leaves as it passed. Forget about if it ever had to pass a bike. It just wouldn't happen!

My trip here so far has been perfect. The place and room Jim staying couldn't be nicer. Janet makes such a fuss making sure everything's right. She is really a very loving and caring person. The bike has performed better then I expected. The 22 tooth cog is exactly the gear for the hills. All but a few I have needed to get off and walk and its only because of the sun pinion on the axle, that I have broken on other Sturmey Archer AW's, that I'm worried about. I do carry a spare axle and the tools to change it, but I'm riding a 70 year old bicycle with a 70 year old transmission, and it has worked great! For those interested,I haven't seen any old Raleigh's, except a delivery bicycle locked, up the street. Its about a 1970, 28" rear wheel, 20" front, Rod brake. Even with the few problems I experienced at first. I'm starting to feel like I will miss being here very much when I'm at home, but know I will be beaming with joy when ever I think back as to the fun I'm having here on My Dream Bicycle, The Golden Arrow, and the places I have and will go. I haven't had a bad ride. I have never flatted and always in total cycling splendor. There are a few people that would love being here with me. I'm not sure if the hills would agree with them of if even the frequent stops for photos and pints that have made meeting people easier then if I had not. The riding is like being in a moving post card all the time, The distant sound of the antique Steam Train's whistle echoing through the hills with the 70 year old Raleigh I'm riding is like being back in time.. I stopped a the 7 star and wrote for a bit with a bag of chips and a pint of Jail Ale. Very yummy, and,, very smooth! After I need to head to the market and pick up some food for the house. It gets dark around 6:00 here, so I have about an hour before I move on.