May 14, 2014

For the first time in a long time, the sky is blue, the sun is out and there seems to be only a slight breeze. Perfect timing.

The first part of the route retraces our steps over familiar territory. The hilly Leicestershire countryside is resplendent in the sunshine. Although we expected the first day back on the bikes to feel like hard work, we quickly warm up and meandering along the back-roads is a pleasure. We pass through some really pretty stone villages – now there are people out and about, unlike when we arrived when everyone was hiding indoors out of the wind and rain.

We haven’t identified an exact destination for the day but we want to cover about 80 kilometres. The lovely weather tempts us to think about camping tonight, although we are a bit worried that the sudden warm daytime temperature is misleading and overnight it may still be pretty cold. As it happens just before we hit 80 kilometres we are in a small village where we spot ‘The Queen’s Head Hotel’ – couldn’t be better timing. However, it turns out that they are fully booked, but they do tell me that there is a camp-site just a short distance outside the village. Looks like fate has decided that we will be camping tonight.

When we arrive the camp-site is in a lovely spot, adjacent to an old mill on a riverside.  There are narrow boats moored all along the riverbank and a lock adds extra entertainment.  For the first time since we have arrived in the UK, and only the second time on the trip, we set up camp.  There are no other tents, only caravans and motorhomes.  Just keeping our fingers crossed that we don’t freeze to death overnight.