I think this is why people cycle in France...

Did I say the weather was perfect? Oh dear, literally as soon as I passed the "Croeso y Cymru" sign, the heavens opened and unleashed the full fury of British summertime on me.

It didn't last too long, but just long enough go give me squishy socks for the rest of the journey.

Anyway, I'm here now. The last 30-40 miles were incredibly hilly, meaning progress was slower than I'd hoped. In particular, the lung-busting climb into Coedpoeth seemed to go on forever, although I guess this offered some explanation, just a little further up the road:



I'll have the climb back up there to look forward to tomorrow. On the plus side, there was quite a spectacular view at the top.










I finally made it to Bala around 7.45 in the evening. That missed turn at Nantwich had added a few miles on, and the entire trip ended up being 79 miles.

It also meant I missed closing time at the local chippy by the time I'd set the tent up and made my way into town. Curses! Scampi & chips out of a kebab shop isn't exactly the same, although I guess at least I could eat it by the lake, as the weather had improved a lot by this point.




Now for a good night's sleep to get ready for the return leg tomorrow. I hope the person in the next tent stops snoring soon!