Day 61- Portland to Exeter
Sometimes the day simply does not turn out how it was planned but the result can be better…
Today was that sort of day.
The original plan was to leave Portland and travel by bike to Axminster then go by train to Exeter rather than do a slog of 114 plus kms with plenty of climbing…. Seemed like a great plan!
We were on the road without having any breakfast by about 6.30 am with Steve leading the way. There was a bit of wind but fortunately it was in our favour for a change. The route out took us initially along the same route we took into Portland which was fine. About 10 km into the ride I asked where we intended having breakfast and Steve said Axminster which was about 60 kms away…what!! I said and we had a team meeting to think through the options which were not great. We asked a local who said there might be something in a small town nearby but that was quickly dismissed after speaking to another local after travelling there! At this stage Steve had a small fall off his bike with no injuries fortunately!
So we had another team meeting where Chris put up the option we travel to Dorchester ( about 10 kms away) and have breakfast and catch a train to Exeter rather than ride. This got a resounding yes vote and we made our way to Dorchester.
The breakfast was great with muesli and fruit and a cappuccino…. Well I felt a lot better!
Over breakfast we looked at the train schedule and hurriedly finished our coffee to catch the train. Fortunately we had downloaded the train App to our phones and despite a few teething issues we were able to purchase the train tickets ahead of boarding time.
The first train took us from Dorchester to Castle Carey which is where we changed trains for the trip to Exeter. The first trip was interesting as there was minimal room for our bikes and we had to spread ourselves out in different carriages to give other passengers easier access in the carriages.
Hopping off at Castle Carey we had about a 20 wait for the next train and boy there were a lot on the platform!
The train came and fortunately there were bike carriages which made it simpler or so we thought. Steve and I were in the same carriage and after removing our panniers we were able with difficulty to put our bikes non the racks provided!!!
The trip was on the reasonably fast train so we were in Exeter shortly after about 12.30 pm. Getting the bikes and panniers off the train took a bit of logistics but with the experiences of this on European trains it worked out well.
At Exeter we made our way to the main town had some lunch and found our accommodation. It is certainly a higher class than we have ever experienced so far in the UK and the hosts seemed very welcoming and allowed us in to our room even though we were well ahead of the normal check In time.
After changing clothes from our riding gear we did a bit of sightseeing in Exeter. I went on a guided tour of the Cathedral which wax very good. The guide was full of knowledge about the history of the cathedral and its architecture and how it was damaged in the Second World War.
After this I met with Steve and Chris who looked at other aspects of Exeter.
I am now writing this blog in the patio at the back of the guesthouse enjoying the end of a summer’s day in England. It was a day of not much riding which is probably a good thing for me as I am feeling a bit leg weary. It was also a day to take in the English summer away from the beaches and seaside and to appreciate the countryside from the windows of a train!
The photos today are:
The route…. It was short and in 2 parts
Waiting on the platform at Castle Carey with a lot of other passengers
Arrived safely at Exeter!
Old buildings in Exeter
A couple of photos of the Cathedral… I would recommend the guided tour!
Our accommodation for the night at Bendene Townhouse… we are on the top floor with the dorm’s windows on the roof…. Why we altogether the top floor is baffling!
