Day 4: Liskeard to Crediton

A decent enough breakfast, with a kind donation from some fellow guests. But glad to leave Liskeard.

A lovely day this one. It was as hilly as the previous days, but with plenty of lovely views and some wonderfully quiet lanes. I'd decided after yesterday not to try to go over the top of Dartmoor, but around the northern edge. However, the route I chose took me straight up a long climb on the far eastern edge of Bodmin Moor which gave me the Dartmoor feel with less than half the pain. The top provided some fantastic views. It also lead to the Highest Inn in Cornwall.

From the top I headed off East through some enjoyable quiet and narrow lanes - with 8 ft tall hedges and strips of grass down the centre of the tarmac. This took me down to the Horsebridge over the River Tamar which marked the end of Cornwall for me. The next section was pretty quick up to Lydford, and a pleasant suprise to find the spectacular Lydford Gorge and associated National Trust Visitors Centre and tea room. The staff at the NT centre provided a substantial baguette and 'survival' bar (a flapjack derivative will all sort of nuts and dried fruit within). Top stuff ! I met couple who were making day trips out on their bikes from a base at Okehampton - they were off to walk down the Gorge, but I headed off ...

Into a downpour. But it was quite warm, and the thunder and lightning I'd heard earlier over Dartmoor didn't appear. More importantly it coincided with my stretch on the Sustrans 'Granite Cycle way', a hard surfaced cycle track along a disused railway. This took me swiftly into Okehampton, when I managed to will away the showers over a cup of tea, piece of tiffin and a doughnut.

The final stretch from Okehampton to Crediton was brilliant. The sun came out and the roads flowed. Here I'd picked up one of the recommended routes from the Phil Horsley guidebook, and have to thank him for picking a winner.

Credition looked welcoming, and the accommodation turned out to be excellent. Phew.

Stats:

Flapjack 1
Tiffin 1
Chocolate Coated Doughnut that was a bit dry 1
Days Mileage 56
Total Mileage 179.5

Cheers,

Mat

Amusing Sign bit:

Its a good effort to signpost them in Devon ..

Or maybe you're looking for a Donkey ..

It felt like I'd been riding for this long already ..

Perhaps a 'Trundlebeer' would help ...