After a calm night the sun was soon hitting the rear wall of the church and then reached the tent, raising the temperature inside. The road was quiet as I set off but before long I turned off right to follow minor lanes. They were in a terrible state with many holes and loose gravel over large areas. I emerged onto a better road in Leintwardine and stopped briefly.

Paytoe Hall

House at Aston

Welcome to Shropshire

Shropshire

I noticed my back tyre was worn through to the canvas which was very annoying as it was new in Dec 2012 and can’t have done much more than 1000 miles. I was on the A4110 for a while but thankfully soon turned off and back to minor lanes. Even though the landscape is generally flat there are still some short steep climbs. In Elton I turned left to follow the road to Ludlow.

Dinham Bridge, Ludlow

Ludlow Castle c11th century

Ludlow Castle entrance

After a steep descent and some sharp bends I reached the picturesque bridge over the River Teme and a wonderful view of Ludlow Castle. The short steep ride up into the town had what looked like ancient walls both sides of the narrow lane. At the castle walls I had a quick look around then continued to the main entrance to check out the gift show. To go any further I’d have to pay, so didn’t. The weather was now getting hotter than yesterday as I wheeled my bike past the town centre market.

The Feathers Hotel became an inn around 1670.
In the mid 1800s the balcony was
added for electioneering.

 I had a steady climb out of the town and came to a cafe where I stopped for a £2.30 bacon butty, which I enjoyed at a table outside the cafe. I was on the A4117 for a while then turned left on to the B4364 which was signposted 18 miles to Bridgnorth, my next objective. I had a long steady climb to negotiate then after that less serious undulations. Shortly after crossing the A458 I started my descent into Bridgnorth. I called at a supermarket to buy a 5lt container of water and a banana. There was no rubbish bit to put the skin in so I had to carry it with me. I continued to the bridge over the River Severn and wheeled my bike across to make the most of the views.

Well earned bacon butty

Over the river the road started a steep climb out of the valley. Near the top the gradient was at a max of 1:7 and I had to get off and push. The heat didn’t help as the 32degC on the road rose to 34 in the town. Near the top the map shown a path leading to some caves but the path headed steeply up into dense undergrowth so no way to take a bike. At the top I continued to the A458. My water bottles were almost empty and even though I had 5lt for later I thought I’d try and get some more. I stopped at a garden centre which didn’t look open but a man was working near a greenhouse. I asked for water and he pointed me to where the boss was working. He took me to a kitchen area by what looked like an unused cafe. With both bottles full I walked back to my bike. On the way I passed a part built pyramid of breeze blocks. I didn’t want to ride much further so after leaving the A458 started to look for somewhere to camp. On the approach to Claverley I saw the cricket ground but the entrance gate was locked. A little further on I found a recently mown field and one side had some shade under a tree. There weren’t as many flies as I’d expected. The day had been hotter than yesterday with the Garmin recording 35degC max.

Ways to go