Day 4 Across the Severn

Arguable the toughest of the trip. Not the longest and not the greatest amount of climbing, but high on both rankings so by our standards long and arduous. A spectacular climb up Cheddar Gorge in the mist and the rain, then stuck up in the fog above allowing a limited view of Chew Valley lake with the waterproof clad anglers crouched in their boats. It was chucking it down. By the time we got to Ashton Court it was time for a break. I even swapped my clothes for dry ones, my leggings seemed to give some help with my knees. Then across the Clifton suspension bridge and out to Severn Beach and the original Severn bridge crossing.

Post office at St. Weonards with LeJoG sign

The route by-passed Chepstow to the West and I was overtaken by those who had stopped for a second break at Tintern on the road up the Wye to Monmouth. Then a big climb up the old road towards Hereford felt as great as the one up Cheddar Gorge. It wasn't, but it was fifty miles later. I managed to stop briefly for a photo at St. Weonards (wonnards), then back to Elm Lodge for 7.00 ish so that was 85 miles and a lot of climbing in 8 hours in the pouring rain.