Pedal Power...

We attempted an earlier start this morning, the plan being to drive up to Fremington about 30 minutes away to hire bikes for an afternoon in the saddle. Lucy served up a breakfast of bacon butties and boiled eggs, then prepared another fine picnic lunch with Cath before we headed out in two cars (fearing Olivia may be against the whole biking idea).

Olivia feeds the farm cats at breakfast

For the first time this week we experienced sunshine over Bryony Cottage before lunch, raising our hopes of a rainless day. The weather did not dissapoint, although we did fear the worst as we approached Fremington and the windscreen wipers were called upon. The shower proved to be a passing one, and the threatening clouds slowly fluffed up.

We arrived at the cycle hire shop at noon, Lucy & I choosing to ride on a tandem, Cath with a ladies bike, Ian with a gents with a trailer attached to the back for Olivia to sit in.

Olivia takes to her trailer

Olivia was more than excited about riding in the trailer, hurrying us all along to start the journey. We headed off in a northerly direction along the Tarka Trail, before turning around shortly after passing Barnstaple. We lunched at a picnic area outside the cycle shop, then took off again, Olivia still very much enjoying the experience.

Cath & Ian cycling the Tarka Trail

Our first tandem experience

Approximately a mile after lunch, Olivia decided that 6 miles of cycling was more than enough for her, so Cath & Ian took her back to return their bikes and drove back to Torrington.

Lucy & I continued on the ride, picking up the pace in an effort to see as much of the Devon countryside and quaint villages as possible. We passed a couple of unused railway stations at Instow & Bideford, continuing just a mile or so short of Torrington, which had been our target, but due to time restraints we had to turn around and head back to return our tandem.

Iain at Instow Station

Lucy at Bideford Station

We drove back to the cottage to be greeted by Cath rustling up our evening meal of sausages & pasta, which was excellent after a long ride estimated at 25/26 miles.

The evening will be spent relaxing with a few drinks, Ian & I might just crack open a bottle each of our 10% beer, picked up on Monday from The Big Sheep in-house brewery...things could get messy!

Iain & Ian with beer in hand