And a star to guide her by

Complete the quotation using one of the photos below!  It was a day of  two halves, torrential rain, followed by drizzle - the latter accompanied by low cloud and fog so don't expect too much from the photos.  Shortest day of the tour (perhaps fortunately) to give people a chance to get used to navigation with their garmins if necessary and to have a first introduction to the hills of Devon and Cornwall. Hoping that the rain might ease off and not wanting to arrive too early at the next hotel we made a late start, but after more than 12 hours of heavy overnight rain it was still pouring when we left. Luckily it was warm so we didn't need waterproof trousers, but within the first three miles we had to negotiate a flooded road, with an enormous shark infested puddle in our path. We took a run at it but the water still engulfed our shoes and went over the top of our calf length waterproof socks - and if you want to know, once there is water inside a waterproof sock it isn't going anywhere!

Coffee stop was at a National Trust property, which is probably still trying to dry the cafe out, although not everyone bothered to stop. We then crossed the River Fal (Carrick reaches) on a vehicular chain ferry. Apparently there has been a ferry operating there for at least 500 years.  The climbing started in earnest as we rode off the ferry and then carried on for the rest of the day. We passed some of the riders who hadn't stopped for coffee and kept pressing on until we reached Charlestown on the outskirts of St Austell. I suspect it is heaving on a good day with some spectacular views, but was a bit subdued in the conditions today. We only wanted a hot drink and a sandwich so stopped at a cheap and cheerful kiosk selling all pasties at half price due to the weather. They had an outdoor seating area with umbrellas and although the tables and benches were all sodden they presented us with pieces of cardboard to sit on and made us very welcome - whereas I suspect the 'Artisan Coffee Shop' next door might have been a bit less welcoming.

We are staying at Lostwithiel tonight and arriving at 3.30pm there were only 2 others there and the luggage van was behind somewhere. I went off to buy a newspaper to stuff in the wet shoes and arriving at the Co-op shortly before closing time I asked which was the cheapest Sunday paper, as I wasn't planning on reading it. 'No idea' said the assistant 'but it ought to be The Star or failing that The People'.  He was correct!!   We are now sitting in what appears to be a Chinese laundry trying to get stuff dry.......I'm sure Lostwithiel is a charming town, but apart from the Co-op it appears to be shut!

Anyway tomorrow is meant to be the hardest day of the tour, although I suspect that remains to be seen - hopefully the weather will be better and I'll get some decent shots.