Charente, La Gironde

Somewhere different, the mouth of the Gironde. Our plan was to catch the tail end of the ebb from Royan for a ferry glide out to the Phare de Cordouan (just visible in the distance 5nm away). Europe's and possible the World's oldest lighthouse 400 years old this year. However, it was one of the biggest tides of the year, coefficient 120, and after covering about 2 miles we realised that there was a real danger of not making the ferry glide. It is hard to estimate current in open water, but we tried paddling uptide and at full speed found we were making about 0.5kt backwards. The lighthouse was disappearing from time to time in the haze and small races of breaking rollers sprung up here and there due to the uneven bottom.

So discretion was the order of the day; retreat decided, the ferry glide back proved quite challenging as we didn't want to end up too far downtide.

Once on back on the Royan shore, we waited for the tide to turn, then paddled inland along the coast past cave dwellings and fishing stations,

to land at the small port of Meschers-sur-Gironde.

More biking- High Street

A long climb following the course of the roman road from Askham

Superb views over Ullswater to Helvellyn and more distant peaks, but frustrating soggy under foot (under tyre in fact), so several walking sections despite the gentle gradient.

A satisfying summit (828m/2663') with one of the best vistas in Lakeland (Wainwright agrees with me).

Fast downhill from the top and an easy climb to Rampsgill Head and then High Raise. It was beyond High Raise that it got soggy, so to avoid this, I followed my nose over Low Raise.

A nice fast and not too wet grassy run down losing 400m in 3km,

followed by a delightful steep and technical section, all rideable except this corner by the beck. The exact location of this must remain secret since it is not bridleway and mostly not footpath either. However, you end up on the north bank of Haweswater, on the nicely metalled footpath, cum landrover track, to Burnbanks. Leaving only the 9km road ride back. I was running on empty after 40km and 1100m of ascent; the road passes several attractive pubs; alas, I had left my money in the car!