Day 2. Rowde to Hungerford.

After a splendid full English at the B&B, we set of for todays ride. The weather was much better - sunshine with a light breeze, in fact perfect cycling weather.

Most of todays 33 mile route was along canal tow paths again, starting with the long climb of the Caen flight of locks just outside Devizes.

After this task it's pretty much plain sailing to the Crofton pumping station, another miracle of Victorian engineering, this time designed to keep a flight of locks full by pumping water uphill to the top after it has been down through the locks.

Here, tea is taken but unfortunately the large chunk of coffee gateau proves to be too much for Thrashers altered digestive tract and brings on a nasty case of  'dumping syndrome' (look it up) and the remainder of the journey is postponed for an hour while he recovers.

The rest of the ride takes in a few miles of quiet lanes through what must surely be some of the most beautiful scenery that England has to offer, ending with another five or so miles of towpath before we arrive in Hungerford and check in at the well hidden B&B (floral bedspreads and a degree of topiary in the small but perfectly formed suburban garden that suggests at least a smattering of some OCD type disorder in at least one of the owners).

Then it's off to the local curry house for a well deserved king prawn madras and a J2O.

Sleepy time folks, another long ride tomorrow.

Current Pain Rating: 5