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Days 4 to 6
Great Torrington to Fownhope
Saturday 8th June Gt Torrington to Bishops Lydeard
We were in for more long climbs today as we tackled Exmoor and the Brendon Hills. The lady in the B&B very graciously reduced our bill as Carole was not able to be with us - so we decided to donate £20 of this to Inter Care. The fact that we had tackled some steep short climbs the night before meant that Christine dropped us of at Atherington to help us on our way. 
The first 10miles to South Molton were relatively flat and here we bumped into Christine so we stopped for an extended coffee break - service was slow! The serious stuff now began with a climb to 400m onto Exmoor. Close to the highest point we came across the Sportsman's Arms - it was a lovely sunny day so we sat down in the shade across the road eating our sandwiches and then entered the pub for a pot of tea. 
The landlady here was very friendly and was interested in what we were doing. We then had a lovely descent into Withypool - with children enjoying the sunshine and paddling in the stream. Up again to 350m and then down to Winford where the river crosses the road in a ford (fortunately there is a footbridge). Winford is a very picturesque village and the riders on horseback enhanced this image.
We followed the river for a couple of miles and then began our third big climb to 400m again over the Brendon Hills. The views again were magnificent looking out over the Bristol Channel to Wales in the distance. Fortunately for every up there is a bonus of the down - in this case it seemed to carry on for miles passing close to Elworthy and then onto Bishops Lydeard. Every additional mile would help for Sunday which was expected to be a lengthy day. We had booked B&B at Brompton Ralph (close to Elworthy) so with difficulty, because of very weak reception, I managed to ring Christine to ask her to pick us up. While we waited there was chance to look at the church here - it has a lovely tower with ornate windows. When we arrived at the B&B we discovered that it is run by two retired Vicars and they are living in a converted Barn - a beautiful house now with lovely views and very environmentally friendly.
The stats for the day were 46.02 miles : 8.6mph : 4329ft climbed
Sunday 9th June Bishops Lydeard to Bristol
The day's ride was to be the longest so far - but at least some of the worst hills are now behind us. It is not long before we are climbing - this time over the Quantocks (three arrows shown on the map as we move up to 250m). We now have the prospect of the Somerset Levels - a nice flat section from Bridgewater to Cheddar with only the blip of the Polden Hills in the way (just two arrows on this one). What has happened to the prevailing South Westerly winds - we haven't had the help of these since we left Lands End?! 
At Blackford we came across the Sexey Arms - and were welcomed in by a very pleasant young lady for a cup of tea and photos outside taken by other customers. We got to Cheddar at 1pm in time for lunch.
The plan for the afternoon was to avoid the Mendips and use the newish Strawberry Line - a Sustrans route on the old railway line from Axbridge to Yatton. 
This has an excellent riding surface although rather dusty. At Yatton Station we indulged ourselves in a cup of tea and plum cake - lovely! More flat country lanes followed though Nailsea where we attempted to join the Festival Way - a route opened this year from Nailsea to Bristol. After a couple of miles we lost the plot and ended up on the main road to North Wraxall, climbing a steep hill to the outskirts of Bristol. Never mind - the end was in sight. Just the Clifton Suspension Bridge and bit further and we found ourselves in the comfort of Cara and Colin's house in St Andrews.
The stats for the day were 58.26 miles : 9.7mph : 2782ft climbed
Monday 10th June Bristol to Fownhope
It was rather busy as we left Bristol amidst the rush hour traffic. It wasn't long before we were in the quiet lanes north of Cribbs Causeway and approaching the old Severn Bridge. Thank goodness for another fine day! Tony W had not had a good night. He had been coughing and was obviously worried that he was going down with an infection similar to that of his wife. So when we had crossed the bridge and arrived in Chepstow he decided to go and seek advice from the first pharmacy we found. The request "have you something to ease my tight chest" rang alarm bells in the pharmacy. Was this old man showing signs of pegging out? Tony was advised to visit the doctor straight away - 
there was a surgery at the local hospital not far away. 2 hours later Tony escaped the hospital with antibiotics for a chest infection (and Christine brought us sandwiches for our lunch which we ate before proceeding on our way). Just 17 miles completed in the morning and still a fair way to go and a few hills to climb.
We passed Tintern Abbey and talked to another cyclist here of a similar age who was also doing LeJoG. He appeared to be pottering but when we got to the hill from Brockweir up to St Briavels he shot ahead leaving us to walk up! After Coleford the ride became easier with a good descent into English Bicknor and an easy ride into Ross on Wye. Although it was getting late in the day we decided to complete the ride to Fownhope (rather than seek a lift) and although it was only 7 miles it was quite hilly in places. Tony W decided to take an impromptu rest in a hedge when I slowed suddenly to let a car by in a narrow lane and he collided with my rear wheel - fortunately he had a soft landing.
The stats for the day were 52.05 miles : 9.4mph : 3952ft climbed