Day 20
A very big barn
Today we were going bike shopping! Tom's Koga is great but we are worried not tough enough to take all the weight of the panniers and Tom over rough trails. On Day 2 we had met a dad and daughter touring as we passed in Hull, who had taken one look at us and recommended where to get 4 sausage rolls for a £1. Clearly a wise couple. They also mentioned Oxford Bike Works as a decent frame builder, so off we went.
Richard the owner was very friendly and helpful. After a couple of hours of chat and test rides, we went away to mull it over. I got a new pair of handlebars too, as my last-minute panic buy pair were causing me a lot of discomfort. I can report that they are working a treat.
Due to our busy morning, we had planned a short day, just over 20 miles. Both of us were feeling tired with achy legs after yesterday’s hills so we were rather slow. A loo stop at Farringdon cheered us up as I got chatting to two ladies who took details of the blog. Two minutes later I heard my name called, so weird, who knew me here? It was the ladies back to confirm blog details!
By now I was starting to feel exceptionally tired, Tom knew just what to do - two jammy donuts later I felt a lot better. The sun came out and we cycled off to see a 13th century tithe barn at Great Coxwell. For those like me who have never seen one, nor 100% what it was, well let me tell you, I was impressed. The barn was a vast err, barn, where the crops were processed then kept over winter. This one had been built in 1292. They can be that precise due to dating of the trees used in the roof joists. It was wonderful to be able to wander into it and take in the splendour of the craftsmanship that has stood for over 700 years. As I walked over the earth floor, sunlight shining through the open doors and glinting through the roof, I felt as if I was walking into the past. A very special place. Shortly after we passed a smaller tithe barn clearly still in everyday use, just wonderful.
A few miles further we arrived at Bridge House campsite in the village of Lechlade. A lovely setting just a 5 minute walk from a wonderful riverside pub. As the sun was out we felt it was too tempting to ignore, and whilst enjoying a drink we were entertained by a rather drunken gentleman jumping from the bridge into the river. He survived, though he clearly hadn’t quite taken into account just how much harder it is to climb out! The village was just a few miles from an airfield, so as we sat cooking dinner later we were entertained by a free aerial display, a fantastic end to the day.
