May 24, 2012
Into the Cotswolds to Evesham
via Stanton
The forecast is for more sunshine, but the overcast sky at 8:30 doesn't bode well and after Liz's hearty breakfast I linger in my room using the Wi-fi until 10 o'clock, when it's really time to check out and hit the road - regardless of the weather.
I turn off the road going north and pause at a pottery workshop in dinky Greet. Just up the road I hear the distinct chuffing sound of a steam train and soon find where it's coming from.
A bridge over the tracks gives a good view of the station at Gretton where the locomotive has come to a halt. Once it's begun its journey and chuffed its way out of sight, I cruise down to take a look at the lovingly renovated place, all fresh paintwork and old enamel signs. Having a look makes a nice 15-minute break.
A country mansion owned by Lord somebody has a coach parked at it's grand entrance and the driver tells me he's brought a small group of Italians, who are inside the private home having a look around - by appointment.
The thick wood door is ajar so I sneak inside for a quick look myself, just to see how the other half lives.
The spot which Frank Patterson sketched of Stanton hasn't changed and the whole village is the sort of place you see depicted on chocolate boxes - cottages and houses with thatched roofs and no real sign of the 20th century apart from the few cars parked here and there.
Before reaching the village of Broadway, I stop to buy a jar of honey from a house with a sign outside saying it's on sale - Cotswolds honey. It's 3 quid a jar so I buy two, one for Ruby and one for Dave.
The drawing Patterson did of Broadway is one I'd completely forgotten about and I stop there simply to get a bite to eat, and enjoy a wholesome bowl of soup followed by delicious crumble and custard in The Swan.
The village is a busy place with tourists milling around and the main road to Evesham is also busy and I make a right after a couple of miles, riding through Badsey.
The Vale bike shop at the edge of Evesham reminds me I need a spare inner-tube and a new one is five quid when I expected it to cost no more than three. They're cheap in Taiwan.
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The place Patterson drew is at the end of the High Street and the timber-framed building and alley look pretty much the same and I take a few snaps before riding off to the train station.
The 4:20 train is pulling out when I get there and the next one doesn't arrive until after 6:00.
Getting back to Lincoln means changing in Birmingham and Nottingham, with my final train not arriving until almost midnight.
It feels like crossing continental Europe is faster.
Today's ride: 41 km (25 miles)
Total: 3,083 km (1,915 miles)
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