Woke early around 0600. Legs fell fine. All shoes and clothes dried overnight. Weather dull but dry. Breakfast is at 0800, cereal, toast and full english, it's all good.
Set off at 0910 back towards the A30 again. The forecast says heavy rain from 1000 onwards. Took time for 1st five miles or so to allow food to settle. Stayed off A30 for 6 miles on A3047 then a quieter road. Joined A30 at A390 junction. Bodmin was 20 miles away and the A30 was hill after hill. I was drinking power juice all the time. I was in full on climbling mode and although the hills were long and visable mainly from the bottom to top, I was coping well and changing gear frequently to keep my momentum up. Unfortchanatly, with the bag on the bike, the option of coming out of the saddle and swinging the bike from side to side is not there but I was coping well and not finding it as difficult as I was lead to believe!
Bring on Bodmin Moor (I think...)!!!
Had lunch and was ready for the climbs ahead. Just as well, as each was steeper than the others so far! Used my emergency bottom gear on the climb leading to the summit of Bodmin Moor, it was like climbing a bloody mountain. However, didn't stop, just got on with it. Took a photo on the top of the moor, a bit on the bleak side as you would expect. Adverage speed of 13.3 mph which I think is good. On one hill on the way down from Bodmin Moor summit, I reached 40.3 mph which was a bit scary as the waind was comming from the right hand side and was blowing the bike and bags a bit.
Carried on A30 past Lauceston, still up and down hille. V.concerned to see a sign saying due road works A30 is closed to cyclists! What!!!
Followed diversion signs which were pictures of bikes on yellow background. Went through Lauceston, lots of people looking like they were related to each other. Very strange. Went down a hill in time to see a sign saying welcome to Devon, Hoorah!! Joined A30 again after about 10 miles.
Carried on to Okehampton some 15 miles ahead. At Oke hampton, there is a hill 2 miles long that gets steeper and steeper. That was hard work. Emergency gear needed again as I neared to top. I got up it without stopping, had a drink and rest at the top though!!
Finally left the A30 some 2.5 miles outside Okehampton. I was on it for 110 miles! I hadn't been as bad as I was expecting. A nice feeling to be off it though and onto the next stage.
Went into Okehampton and found a B & B very easily. Nice couple made me a tea whilst I did the paperwork. Had a shower and went down the pub for food and beer. Looking forward to football on TV.
Missing Bev like crazy and can't wait to Friday. I text her all the time and look at her photo on my phone, read her note which means so much to me. It all seems to stop me feeling alone. It's all good.
