Tuesday 25th July 2017   11:03

Stratford to Rainham Country Park

58.26 miles

A late start after breakfast in the shopping center – and maybe I had a lie-in !   Think I enjoy cycling through cities as much as countryside.  Along the Thames was glorious – the sun helped; plus the ham sandwiches Carol packed for me yesterday.

Not always possible to stay by the river as developments – and industry – hog it frequently.  Travelling along the Dartford Estuary gave a completely different view having driven over it so many times on bridge.  Tranquil.   Ended up with fish & chips in Rochester – and nowhere to stay.   At least well fed so cycled onwards and finally in depths of darkness and wrong turns from poor signage I found myself on a spit of path out into the river at Rainham.  A bench beckoned so I had a damp 4 hours rest as the tide rose.   Hey, ‘if I can do a night shift on Labour Ward I can do this’ was my thought as I set off at 3 through the orchards of Kent.  Dawn really does have a chorus and the increasing light was helpful in identifying potholes !    On reaching Faversham at 7 breakfast and rest became my aim and I was thankful to a wonderful cafe where I sat for 3 hours, recharged my phone, enjoyed a full English breakfast with coffee – and booked some accommodation for tonight……………