Theo thoughtfully brought along a tripod for the Club photo and we were all set up for the shoot but this was delayed as a procession of latecomers embarrassingly arrived. Photo taken and a group of fifteen started for Seymour Road via the Park to avoid roadworks for a new cycle lane in Southgate Street. Watch out for complaints on Facebook.
At Brookthorpe we split into two groups and headed south with a chilly tail wind but the glorious clear blue sky, lush fields and blossom lined lanes evoked clichés like oh what a beautiful morning and wall to wall sunshine, not a cloud in sight etc but they were truly justified as we cycled along, glad to be in such a wonderful scenery.
We regrouped several times and eventually arrived at a new coffee stop at Berkeley Castle where we had good service and food a bit expensive but worth it.
It was then on to Sharpness docks where the above description does not really apply. A locked gate prevented us getting across the canal but a brief detour via the dreaded railway lines safely negotiated led us to views over the Severn to Purton. A pleasant ride (see idyllic description above) along route 41 took us to Slimbridge and a short stretch of dry mud free canal towpath. This lead to Frampton where we noticed the Three Horse Shoes was again not open. We didn’t stop and carried on to the Ship, minus two riders who went to see if there was any water in the Severn at Arlingham. Satisfied that all was well, they returned to the Ship where we were united with Neville and Malcolms G and T. Route 41 took us back to Gloucester and still wall to wall sunshine.
54 miles
AG