The Cotswolds

Devizes

I got to my chosen camping spot by the locks about 30 mins before sunset.  Too early.  It was still busy with dog walkers.  I sat on a bench, looking innocent, to eat my tea, a Chicken Tikka Slice, with a giveaway apple for pudding.  Several houses have "help yourself" boxes of apples outside at this time of year.

Catching a Pike

 

My chosen spot was under an oak tree by one of the lakes that feeds water to the staircase of locks.  But I realised it was visible from a walk from a car park to the top of the locks, so found a more secluded spot further down.

Another cold night, but not uncomfortable this time.  No tarp, as no rain was forecast, but a full moon made it difficult to get to sleep, despite the fact that it was gone 8pm.

 

Camping spot before dawn

I woke at 6.15 and decided to get up although it was still dark.  Got under way in the first light of dawn, misty locks looking coldly beautiful, as I regretted not bringing full finger gloves.  4 degrees according to Garmin.

The pretty town of Melksham was my first stop, except  I didn't  stop, as it was closed and I was too cold.  Leaving along Forest Road, after a few miles I turned onto Forest Lane for another few miles.  I never got to see the forest.    [Edit:  I discovered later that there is a village called Forest.  Also a place called Tiddleywink very near my route a bit further on!] I was on a vast plain dotted with a few lumpy hills, easy cycling.  Lacock came up next, beautiful and dominated by Lacock Abbey (National Trust).

Lacock Abbey

Now I crossed the A4, going north, and entered the Cotswolds AONB.   Breakfast at 8.30, at The White Horse at Biddlestone, well, outside, as it was closed, so I ate my meal deal from last night: a sort of yoghurty, oaty, chocolatey thing, followed by a ham sandwich. Saw a few cyclists going through on their Sunday rides.

 

Breakfast at Biddlestone 

A few more flattish miles northwards, including a stretch on the Fosse Way, a few more stately home type places, and it was time for elevenses at Malmesbury,  a bigger town with an Abbey, plenty of shops, and hills.  It was nearly ten o'clock; would anywhere be open?  In the market square I saw hordes of cyclists, and I knew I'd come to the right place.

More wildlife

Elevenses

To be continued...