“There’s ice on the inside of the tent” I exclaimed, unzipping the outer at 4:45am. Despite strategic dehydration to avoid too many loo stops while cycling I’d been annoyingly woken by a full bladder.
We’d cycled 58 miles from Cirencester to Stratford that day, to build upon the 38 of the day before from Oxford, carrying with us everything we needed for the planned 3 day adventure. Except of course for a few extra irresistible morsels from the Organic Farm Shop en route.
Enhanced by the blue skies and warmth of the first summery days of the year, our ride so far had been beautiful. Fuelled by M&Ms we’d whizzed along quiet country lanes past expansive green fields and through gorgeous postcard perfect limestone villages. Aside from a pair of Dutch cyclists we’d met few others en route, until that was we descended into Bourton on the Water. Here we nestled in amongst the rest of the bank holiday makers to enjoy our picnic lunch and ice creams alongside the river, enjoying the atmosphere of the many family days out congregating in one place.
After our campfire, marshmallows and stargazing of the first night, we’d spent our second evening reading in the setting sun before turning in pretty early.
Now, awake at 4:45am the sky was a crisp clear blue with a sliver of silver moon and a teasing orange glow just above the horizon and, despite the cold (and ice), it seemed a shame not to see sunrise on such a beautiful morning. So, awoken once more by an alarm newly set for 5:20am we piled on extra layers and headed out to await the sun’s arrival. Our uninterrupted view across the misty fields to the east was perfect and, at 5:31am, the sun gracefully appeared over the horizon, deep orange, almost red. It felt wonderful to be there seeing such a beautiful part of nature, always taken for granted and rarely enjoyed. Furthermore, knowing that all around were sleeping campers missing out on what was happening all around them, yet at the same time unaware of quite what they were missing. Simple, majestic, romantic.
No picnic (this time), but wonderfully special all the same. And just part of a fabulous weekend cycling adventure. #26 See the sunrise (with a picnic) is definitely to be recommended.
Definitely worth getting up for
Whizzing along country lanes
Fuelled by M&Ms, counted out scrupulously fairly,
ruths30thyearonearth 