Day 9: May 26

Ironbridge to Hartford

87 km / 800 m

We start by climbing out of Ironbridge, passing the Wrekin and along the line of the Shropshire Union canal.  We pass through Nantwich and Winsford to our overnight accommodation in Hartford.  

When we went for breakfast this morning it was raining a little bit, and everyone's mood was down as a result.  No one is a fan of riding in the rain, and at our respective homes we would likely put the bike back in the garage and catch up on chores.  As we fueled ourselves for the day the rain picked up so that by the time people came down to ride they were clad in all manner of waterproof gear from head to toe.  I had my rain jacket with me but given the profile at the start of the ride, I had no intention of wearing it until we had finished climbing.  I would rather get wet from the rain than from sweating.  As it turned out, the rain had stopped by the time we set out.  We would get sprinkled on a few times during the day, but never enough for me to put any raingear on.  About 5km from the end I started to hear thunder in the distance, but even that didn't hit us until well after everyone was in.  

We're relatively close tonight to where a few of our Brits live, so all three of them have visitors this evening.  And one of the visitors brought goodies!  

During Peter's route rap this morning he uttered the "R" word.  Rude.  As in a climbing gradient beyond "cheeky".  No problem - I just walked that little part.  We had to climb out of the Ironbridge Gorge, over the Wrekin and down the other side.  The climbing lasted about 4 miles and then the entire day was pretty mellow after that.

There weren't a lot of great photo opportunities on the way up, but here are a few.

  

It's interesting to note that almost every town or village that has a "welcome" sign, includes a note to "welcome careful drivers".

I think we're finally on our way down now.  Lots of agricultural land about, and a lot of early crops just starting to sprout.  And of course fields of cattle and sheep, and a few horses.  And two goats.  And a peacock. Today was a mix of busier bigger roads and quiet (and muddy) smaller roads.  Lots and lots of little villages and a lot of rural homes lining the roads almost the whole way today. 

Took a little side trip into Audlem, where they were in the midst of a 3-day music festival.  Fifty-three bands.

Everyone seems to keep such beautiful gardens.  Or maybe I'm just happy to see flowers in May.  Tyler tells me the sun hasn't shone in Calgary since I've been gone.  Sigh.....  We went in to Nantwich for lunch.  It's a pretty little town, and was busy today with some type of market/fair in the central pedestrian area.  I had a delicious sandwich and brownie from Chatwin's bakery.  Others ate at the bookshop nearby and really enjoyed their food as well.

We're amongst the "'wich"es now.  Apparently "wich" at the end of a place name indicates that it is a source of salt.  Nantwich dates to Roman times for its supplies of salt.  Other wiches in the area - Middlewich, Northwich, Leftwich, etc.

Next stop - Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina.  

More flowers.  More churches.......

Another old house along the roadside.  So many of them are individually named.  

The photo below is a "dual carriageway".  If we find ourselves on one of those, then we've made a wrong turn somewhere!

My new favourite snack.  Discovered a few days ago.  Thanks Amy!  I couldn't take a picture until today, though, because I usually tear into the wrapper before I get a chance to take a picture.

Finally - an earlier dinner at the hotel tonight (we were done by 7:30, rather than just sitting down at that time).  Time for some shut-eye and then we'll repeat it all over again tomorrow.

Hartford:

Population:  5,600

Not much of note on Wikipedia, and it isn't mentioned in the Lonely Planet England book.  

Apparently Nantwich (population 14,000) is famous for its high concentration of listed (historic) buildings, with notably good examples of Tudor and Georgian architecture.  The origins of this town date to Roman times.  

Winsford (population 35,000) grew around the salt mining industry.  

Hotel:  Hartford Hall Hotel   www.hartfordhallcheshire.co.uk

Hartford Hall on School Lane sits within the walls of a stunning 16^th century, Grade II listed building in the village parish of Hartford, Cheshire.

Ride Stats:

91.5 km

770 m (2526 feet)

The Route: