Bike Touring in SW England - Epilogue

Here's our top 15 countdown of things we loved, appreciated and found to be blessings to our wonderful bike adventure, in no particular order (save for #1):

15.  British, Australian and Scottish versions of the English language
14.  Vistas characterized by specimen trees and stone walls
13.  Thousands of really cute sheep, not to mention other wonderful critters (see photos following)

Not only a shot of free-range ducks, but a view of the pack load too!

Peter's sharp eye caught this fox hunting in the fields

The grace of swans in every town stream and pond

Those cute sheep in the amazing sunlight

Gorgeous deer in full flight

12.  Nothing but courteous encounters with autos and farm vehicles, regardless of the road size.

11.  Seeing my cousins in Bath (and soon to see my aunt and uncle in Ealing tonight!)

10.  Still considering each other the best possible traveling companions

9.   Ending every day with a local English ale

8.   Only one flat tyre - and no other mechanical problems (yes tyre, that's the UK spelling)

7.   Evensong at Wells Cathedral

6.   Helpful advice and directions from locals

5.   No illness or injury

4.   Cream teas (which includes clotted cream, amazing stuff!)

3.   Never getting lost despite numerous navigational challenges

2.   "Specky" views in the Cotswolds (as described by a charming local who gave us our fave word of the trip)

AND

1.    Not a single, solitary drop of rain!!!!

Thanks again to all who followed along, and especially to those who wrote comments and sent emails of encouragement and support.  Special thanks to Carolyn and Roger for watching the home front, and Mike and Ruthie for keeping us blogging (and laughing!).

Flying home tomorrow!

Love, June and Peter