Day 1 Clayton to Minworth UK

My ride send off was perfect – 9am at Oksana & Mariia’s (our Ukrainian friends) home. My good friend, Mike, turned up to photos us all. There’ll be another photo call to come at their Ukrainian home in early August, together with Oksana’s parents. Should be a very memorable event!! Meanwhile I have 7 countries & quite a few miles to peddle.

3 miles in & I hit the Trent & Mersey Canal (T&M) & stayed with it for 10miles. Having just fitted a headlight on a helmet bracket, I failed to allow for the extra height when passing under low bridges, then, later on, it managed to snag itself on a low branch – the bracket has now gone! Also, in Stone, some guy was hosing down his boat, then without thinking, whipped the hose along the towpath, directly under my bike wheels. Unintentional but-.

Detour to Litchfield

I made a detour to the medieval city of Litchfield, our cathedral city back home. Apparently the 1st one here was 700 AD, but this young beauty is 13th century – beautiful both inside & out. Inside, on the outer walls, seating is topped with hundreds of individual cushions each uniquely hand embroidered with the name of every church in the diocese.

Afternoon Ride

After a gentle stroll & a visit to Starbucks, I continued 16 miles south to the nights bed, mainly along Birmingham & Fazelpy Canal. Although grander than the T&M, its 18 century bridges & locks ensure the same charm of the past.

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