UK/Éire Trip Day 13 - Newenden to Sawbridgeworth

km ridden today: 165

km ridden total: 1557

Photos today: 174

Photos total: 3564

Castles/Palaces total: 2

Pubs visited total: 4 

Churches/Cathedrals total: 8

Ferries total: 2

Rainy days total: 1

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It was very overcast when I left Newenden this morning. 

I got some rain along the way. The closer I got to London the heavier it got. 

My route had me catching the Woolich ferry. By the time I got to the ferry it was absolutely pouring, I couldn't see the GPS and had to lift my visor so I could see at all, I arrived at the ferry but it was very confusing there was a sign that said ferry open, another that said ferry closed, one that said there was 1 hour delay and another said 2 hour delay, there were witches hats across the road as well.

Awesome no idea where to go now. So I choose the next waypoint on my GPS but it tells me to catch the ferry. So I think just ride and hopefully the GPS will reroute, it did do this but for ages kept trying to turn me back to the ferry, eventually it rerouted at it took me into a tunnel, the approach to the tunnel was awesome, heaps of clutch work, at least it had stopped raining.

Anyhow I survived and got to Sawbridgeworth unscathed, I was staying with Ann who grew up across the road from Mum in London.

After dinner we went for a walk around town and then stopped in at the George IV for a drink. I had my first PIMM'S  which apparently is the drink to have in summer.

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UK/Éire Trip Day 11 - RE Museum

km ridden today: 173

km ridden total: 1241

Photos today: 192

Photos total: 2964

Castles/Palaces total: 1

Pubs visited total: 3 

Churches/Cathedrals total: 7

Ferries total: 2

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I didn't sleep well last night. I had a dream that something (maybe a cat) had come in through the window in my room, I lashed out at it and was woken when I knocked my medications and bottle of water off the bedside table. It scared the crap out of me and my heart was beating at a million miles an hour which made it difficult to get back to sleep.

When I did wake again it was to a beautiful day. The plan today was to visit the Royal Engineers (RE) Museum. I was on the road by about 0830.

Took some lovely back roads on my way to the RE Museum.

And I did wear my RAE polo shirt.

Some really cool stuff at the museum I would recommend that all Sappers (and anyone else interested in military stuff) to try and get along and have a look.  Ubique.

I had realised this morning that my chain oiler was out of oil. One of the things I forgot to check before I left home, so rang a near by bike shop to see if they had any they did so I put the address in my GPS. 

Off I went and found myself down a narrow street with cars parked everywhere, had to do what seemed like a 10 point turn as the shop was on the other side of the road, thank goodness there was a car park not to far from the shop. I got the oil and was glad to get out of there. See pic below.

Next my GPS told me to go down and through the gate (see pic below), there was a boom gate and it didn't appear that you could drive in there. 

I decided to just drive and see if my GPS will just miss the waypoint and sent me to the next one, no of course not, it kept telling me to turn around. 

I decided to reload the route and miss some of the waypoints, only problem is I skipped to many and the GPS had me heading down the motorway (to be avoided at all costs).

I was just glad I wasn't heading in the other direction as it was all banked up.

I finally found my way back onto some B roads and all was right with the world again. 😊

The roads are not really made for coaches. Well modern day coaches at least.

So the plan for this evening was to grab a beer (which I don't normally drink, but after a day on the bike and sitting in an English pub it just seem right). 

I got into the pub and started talking to some people. Most left and then I was left talking to Owen (probably spelt Eoghan since he is Irish) had some great conversations and craic. 

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