Summer camping again, day 2 - Oxfordshire

[Day 1]

Today it's misty and damp  very autumnal.  My plan is to head a bit further west, towards Banbury,  then south to about Didcot, then back east to Stokenchurch (big hill...) and find somewhere up there to camp. 

Summer cycling 

After a few lumpy bits, I joined NCN5 near Banbury, with typical mixed surfaces and nice roads (5 gates on a gated "road" through a farmland.  The mist lifted for some glorious cycling on a sort of plain, with huge views to the south west.  Rode past one of the UK's smallest airports, a strip mown in a cornfield,  with a gap in the hedge at the end of the runway.

Cornfield runway, with wind sock

Problems with starting early: it was only 7.30 and I was desperate for breakfast.  I stopped for a chicken tikka slice which had been warming in my bar bag most of yesterday,  but still wanted coffee.  Around 8.15, forlornly searching the streets of Eynsham, I discovered a coffee tuk-tuk, which was open.  Bliss!

Miles upon beautiful miles passed, and I came to Abingdon, brimming with people in the sunshine.  I'd only about 30 miles to my intended camping spot, so I was in the mood for wasting a bit of time. Extensive searches revealed the best coffee shop in town, overlooking the market place, and I enjoyed a two course elevenses, and almost as enjoyable, a proper wash.

Abingdon

Well supported bike repair event

Abingdon, Didcot and Wallingford, the three biggest places on my whole trip, are only separated by 12 miles.  After a delightful Riverside route out of Abingdon, 11.9 fairly boring miles on a cycle path that had the benefit of being flat and direct, and then on some faaverage roads roads.   I didn't  have the full Didcot city centre experience but I did enjoy the sights of the power station, now sans cooling towers, but with several large piles of concrete rubble that have appeared since my last visit.

Abingdon riverside

Abingdon riverside

Highlights of Didcot

Wallingford is a nice place to while away a couple of hours.  But not five hours, even on a bike.  Despite being on the Thames, it doesn't  really have a riverside area where you could sit with an ice cream or whatever.  I reckon the town is missing out on an opportunity  there.

Wallingford 

Just across the bridge at Crowmarsh Gifford

Eventually I ran out of things to do, so I had to tackle the hill up to Christmas Common, via Ewelme and Benson, if you know that area.  Nice road, very quiet, and rather hot and sticky, or perhaps that was just me.  I found a succession of excellent spots between Christmas Common and Stokenchurch, so I think I'm ok for tonight.

[Day 3]