May 5, 2011

We are not looking forward to the first part of today, as we have to navigate our way around not one, but two large cities – Portsmouth and Southampton.  Our congratulations go to their City Councils for the most creative use of obstacles – bollards, kerbs, grass banks, concrete banks, underpasses, overpasses, zebra crossings, pelican crossings, traffic lights, roundabouts – we spend as much time off the bikes walking them around these things as we do on them.  Nevertheless, we eventually emerge into the New Forest National Park, expecting a calming experience.  Unfortunately, this is not to be as, although on a narrow country road, there is a never-ending stream of heavy traffic.

We need to reassess our route for tomorrow to make sure we pick the smallest of back roads if we are to survive to make it to Nottingham.