Travelsonabike2 Crystal Palace 23rd-April-2018

Arundel castle

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 Monday 23rd-April-2018 Bognor Regis to Crystal Palace. 16 miles. The tent had dried overnight, and I loaded my bike back up. I decided not to bother with the doctor today. My eyes were feeling so much better. Instead, I  went to the chemist and got some drops. After returning home from the chemist, I thought I’d have a quick coffee before catching the train to London.

Train announcement board

I’m off to see Kay and Rick, who I visited a couple of weeks ago. They work at the Caravan Club site in Crystal Palace. Then because it wasn’t quite the season, the site manager wouldn’t allow me to camp. Bloody jobsworth! Anyway, he’s allowing me to camp this time.

Dulwich college
Dulwich college

After finishing my coffee, I left home for the short ride to the railway station. There was no rush. My train didn’t leave for another forty minutes. I don’t know what happened, but halfway to the railway station I suddenly realised I only had ten minutes before the train was due to depart. And I still had to buy a ticket. I know there was a bit of a headwind, but it’s less than two miles from my house to the railway station! It’s always the same. Whenever I think I have plenty of time. I always end up rushing.

I made it to the railway station puffing and panting with only a few minutes to spare. Only to find out they’d cancelled the train!

Two people and a dog
Kay, Rick and Billy the dog

My current plan is to spend the night here in London. Then tomorrow, head to Oxted and visit some other friends. After that, I haven’t got a clue. I’ll see how I feel.

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Travelsonabike2 Bognor Regis 22nd-April-2018

Looking out of a tent

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 Sunday 22nd-April-2018 Adgestone to Bognor Regis. 34 miles. What a storm that was last night. I’ve not heard anything like that for a long time. I don’t think I’ve spent the night in a tent as bad as that. Well, apart from when I was in Spain in 2008 and got caught in a mini-tornado. I lost the tent that time. This time my tent has been leaking like a sieve. I’m so pissed off!

Garry McGivern
Cycling along Ryde pier

On the bright side (if you’ll pardon the pun), I didn’t need to use my headtorch with all that thunder and lightning around. I’m not too sure how long the storm lasted. I dozed off, despite being really pissed off with my tent. I think I was rather tired, especially as I hadn’t slept too well last night. But I woke up at about one o’clock, and the rain had stopped.

Pier
Looking back along the pier toward Ryde

Lazy start to the day, I got up at my normal time of six o’clock. But didn’t rush to pack away. I thought I’d try and dry everything out before packing up. It didn’t work, and nothing dried out. But it was still good to be lazy.

I caught the Fastcat from the island back to Portsmouth. Then, it was a nice fast ride home with a good tailwind.

Old crane
Disused crane at the end of Ryde pier

Once home, I had a quick couple of pints in the pub before coming home to dry the tent out and wash my clothes, ready for the off again tomorrow.

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Travelsonabike2 Adgestone 21st-April-2018

A harbour in England

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 Saturday 21st-April-2018 Langton Matravers to Adgestone. 64 miles. I’m feeling tired today. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. Last night, all I could hear was some cow (the four-legged type). It was mooing all night. I don’t know what was up with it, whether it was trying to give birth or something. But it definitely sounded distressed. The chances are that I’m not going to get a lot of sleep tonight either. The weather forecast is for thunder and lightning!

Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle

Well, just for a change, I’m on the Isle of Wight! Although not at my usual campsite. Apart from liking the Isle of Wight. The other reason for returning is that my hip and leg are so bad at the moment that I don’t have the confidence to go too far. I’m just about okay if nothing goes wrong. But if I had a puncture or had to change a tyre. That would be a major event for me. I find putting the tent up is bad enough. But after saying all that, I’m still enjoying myself.

Two sails bridge
The Two sails bridge at Poole

The ride today was a lot cooler. It’s been cloudy nearly all day, and the last few miles were in the rain! Luckily it stopped just long enough for me to put the tent up, then the heavens just opened!

Beach volleyball
Beach volleyball at Boscombe

My eyes are still bad. I’m wondering now if I’ve got conjunctivitis. I’ll get them checked out at the doctor’s tomorrow as I’m heading home for the night before setting off again on Monday.

Christchurch harbour
Christchurch harbour

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Travelsonabike2 Facebook Video 21st-April-2018

Road with castle at the end

Garry McGivern’s Travelsonabike2 Facebook live video, which was posted on his Facebook page on Saturday the 21st-April-2018. A live video that was posted by Garry on his Facebook page.

Well, just for a change, I’m on the Isle of Wight! Although not at my usual campsite. Apart from liking the Isle of Wight. The other reason for returning is that my hip and leg are so bad at the moment that I don’t have the confidence to go too far. I’m just about okay if nothing goes wrong. But if I had a puncture or had to change a tyre. That would be a major event for me. I find putting the tent up is bad enough. But after saying all that, I’m still enjoying myself.

You can watch the video below or on Garry’s Facebook pageBut honestly, it won’t be any more enjoyable wherever you watch the video!

Travelsonabike2 Facebook Video 21st-April-2018


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