There are some areas of England that you wouldn't naturally think about for a cycling weekend and Dursley would be one of them, however the area is ideal.
Saturday took us south and we stopped at the Tortworth Chestnut. At 800 years old, it was huge but the children took more interest in climbing its neighbour. Onwards to Thornbury where we dispersed for tea, followed by lovely flat riding along the banks of the Severn. Just past the nuclear power station, it's possible to get onto the southern bank and the mud that is the estuary, and our son is still wearing it on his helmet. James looked at the path alongside the river and reckoned it was do-able so we all set off along a good path heading north. The views were great over the river to Gloucestershire and Wales beyond. Through Berkeley and back to the site. I'd booked a swimming pool inflatable party in Dursley and after clambering the inflatable for an hour, the majority tasted the most enormous portions of fish and chips as the sun set
Sunday headed north towards Cam, which had a lovely cyclepath around its northern edge. One family was staying at a farm B&B and we were invited to view the lambs which everyone enjoyed, but not as much as Nigels muffins that made their annual arrival at Standish. A tea stop at Saul preceeded a loop of Arlingham peninsular and the lovely village of Frampton on Severn where the shortist cricket boundary anywhere awaited us. We were on a very popular bike path now as we took the tow path of the Sharpness canal to Slimbridge. Some families had shortcutted there earlier and we met up before returning to the site, a game of rounders and a gentle? game of bulldog, but the children are getting bigger and faster now!!
The last day on Monday took us east and into the hills round Dursley. The climb through Ozleworth was long but pretty gentle as we went up and up. However the lanes were quiet and really pretty. We were rewarded by a descent to Dursley, a bag of doughnuts from Sainsbury's and thoughts of next year.
My thanks to John for helping with the routes..Cheers