Firstly, thanks for your comments, but apologies I can’t work out to respond. However, it must be said, WordPress has made its mobile app easier to use (in most regards!).

Right, down to the day – undoubtedly one of the hardest days I’ve ever ridden, so many hills, and so little food! The first five minutes of the day started promisingly, as the campsite was right on the NCN 81. The road was obviously going uphill but with fresh legs this was no problem. Then as I came across two walkers who made a special effort to hold their dogs back on a steeper bit, so I felt compelled to pedal past them, until my legs blew up. I was almost hidden round the corner before I jumped off and started pushing. 

Not a good start! This continued to the top, there were false flats and false summits a plenty, but a cycling and pushing approach was winning the battle. The top, or rather one of the tops (as the whole day was climbing to summits) was a climb from 270m upto 550m, really hard work but with great weather and views. It got wilder and the road dropped back down to a dead end, where there was a couple wildcamping with a fire.

The tarmac road stopped at this point, when a bridge over a stream lead to a tiny track which meandered up and over the mountain. It was a really amazing place to be out cycling a loaded tourer, but completely nerve-racking on the downhill with all the weight. I was so pleased I had adjusted my brakes this morning! This continued for miles, until Cwmyslwyth (I wonder what this says if you put the vowels back in!), which was a big “metal” mining area in its day (which was 1830 according to the sign board). I would really recommend that part of the NCN 81 it would make an exceptional day out for anyone.

The next 80km all really blurs into one main theme, how hard was the climb up, how much flat when you got there and most importantly how steep the descent. A lot were very steep and winding, which is very annoying as all the hard won elevation is lost with the descent taken carefully with brakes full on. I did manage a bit of rest, when I took a break by the River Ystwyth which was beautiful, and very tempting to get in (at least up to my calves at a guess).

A big feature of the day was sheep! Obviously in the fields, but lots being moved around for shearing. Word had obviously got out from yesterday, and I was brought in for a specialist job. It seems sheep are very hard to herd, and I was chatting to one of the ladies  while waiting for one herd to arrive, asking, why didn’t they pick one and train it up to be leader. I was surprised she didn’t dismiss it out of hand, and even suggested that hand reared lambs were good leaders. I have had all day to ponder my Dragons Den, sheep training college and finishing school idea! I cycled past one farmyard with the evidence of a big shearing party just finishing!

The big problem today was lack of food and water. I had re-purposed a large 2l water bottle from the campsite recycling as a drinks bottle, and had my 1l bottle, as I knew it was going to be a big day. I had also scoped out a shop enroute, but when I got close, it was unappealing down a steep hill. I thought there would be better, however all the other shops I’d found were shut (by the look of most, permanently after Covid), so it doesn’t look too good for Welsh villages! I had enough food and water – just. The hills and lack of food, meant I didn’t have a big picnic and that I had lots of time just looking in the hedgerows, while recovering. They are just spectacular this time of year.

I was heading to Cilgerran to stay with my father in law, Ken. I was just dreaming of putting everything into the washing machine, and having clean clothes. Although there were plenty of last minute battles, with roads closed and more steep hills, but eventually the familar Llechryd bridge over the River Teifi appeared.

A few more pushes up hills that I could normally ride, and I was there – phew. Over 95km and over 1,600m of climbing. Around the town there are lots of information boards, and Ken did the illustrations.

It was great to be back into civilisation, although the steak he cooked could be linked back to the cave man! or rather neolithic man. I am just inside Pembrokeshire, so there is plenty of evidence to our ancestors all around and I’m sure I’ll see plenty more standing stones as l get closer to St David’s.

I should get there tomorrow, and now to think about the rest of this week and getting back!