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Day 5 - From Exmoor hills to the Somerset levels    

Awaking in Exmoor to the sounds of bleating lambs was a delight. I had slept particularly well last night following a Sri Lankan Curry supper on Baricane Beach in Woolacombe, courtesty of Carey and Peter, a real treat! 

Ready to hit the Exmoor hills the route did not disappoint, although my front wheel only left the ground once today, so things appear to be easing off... or so I thought until I reached the Qunatocks!!

I climbed across the Southern ridge of Exmoor from Winsford towards Raleigh's Cross; enjoying a picnic lunch en route accompanied by spectating lambs. I also enjoyed my second county crossing, from Devonshire into Somerset.

It was then a gloirous descent towards Bishops Lydeard, before a long steep climb atop the Quantocks.  The scenery  I realised was familiar;  anyone who knows me will know that my car has long been treated as a mobile bicycle locker, and it is often that following a training day I would delve into the loos to change from work attire to cycling kit, heave my bike from the rear of the car, and enjoy a cycle jaunt before heading home!  The scenery of the Quantocks was thus familiar from having enjoyed cycling trips from Taunton following training days during my Public Health training as a Southwest Public Health Registrar.

From the Quantocks it was then a descent down to Bridgewater, which was fun to navigate at rush hour, before finding myself on the Somerset levels.  Googlemaps cycling options appears to come up with the best cycling routes, and so I followed a route through Bradney, Bawdrip, and a short section of disused railway ( thank you Mr Beeching!) to Cossington, before arriving at our destination for tonight, Shapwick.

I have found a wonderful Airbnb in Shapwick, hosted by Matthew and Karin, and their flat coat retriever, Fleur. It is divine, crisp cotton sheets, down duvet and a stunning garden, complete with chickens! I may never leave!!