Distance: 60.32 miles

Time: 6:00

Elevation: 3687 feet

I was woken early by the dispiriting sound of heavy drizzle on the roof of the tent. I was up, but I wasn’t going anywhere. Eventually, the rain eased a little and I took the opportunity to start packing, aided by a cup of coffee donated by the kindly couple in the camper van on the next pitch.

Setting off at quarter to 11, I quickly polished off the 6 miles into Worcester, passing the Cathedral on the way into town. I wasted time trying to find a cafe, and by the time the food came, the rain had started again.

Rueing the missed opportunity to get more miles done in the dry, I pulled on my waterproofs and set off with renewed vigour. Soon I reached Droitwich Spa following the route along the river and through a park, before muttering in exasperation when I was directed all the way around an industrial estate – just to avoid a short section of road that actually had a cycle lane on it. The route was following a National Cycle Route, and that’s National Cycle Routes for you.

Next up was the pleasant hamlet of Hartlebury, where a fête was in full swing, in Marquees beside the local pub. Reaching Kidderminster, I was happy enough to be led along a decent canal-side path, missing most of the town. It might have been the weather, but compared to Gloucester yesterday, the big towns today had failed to impress.

I followed the route as far as Kinver, where I was struck by the Old Grammar School House building.

Looking at the available accommodation in the area, I decided to head in the direction of Telford, planning to get a few more miles in for the day. Back on an A road, I was hoping to make good time, but the road had other ideas, being decidedly narrower and hillier than others in the area had been. Reaching the impressive town of Bridgnorth, I tried some local campsites with no success, eventually finding a site in Iron Bridge, 11 miles away. The cycling was painfully slow, with long drawn out climbs stretching out almost the whole way.

Dropping down to Iron Bridge, I took some photos and grabbed a chippy before starting the steep climb to the Iron Gorge Campsite high above the town. It was after half 8 by the time I arrived, so I quickly put up the tent, just before the rain reappeared.

Later, another camper turned up, Danielle, and she was also doing Land’s End to John o’Groats. ‘How long did it take you to get here she asked?’ 7 days, how long did it take you? ‘4 weeks’, she replied. She’s walking, of course.

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