Radstock is a hub of cycle routes and in the past few years, several routes have improved and even more is in the offering, so it was time for a return visit. Since our last visit the two tunnels project has extended Sustrans Route 24 into the centre of Bath, so it was a naturel way to get to the World Heritage Site. Negotiating Radstocks town improvements we passed yellow fields of rape through the valleys of Shoscombe and Wellow before entering the tunnels near Midford. Spooky music accompanied us through the first mile long tunnel and we were soon on the outskirts where I led us all past the Circus and Royal Crescent before we split up for a couple of hours to explore the sites. Several of us had coffee and cake in aid of the Nepalese earthquake, a reminder that our worries were nothing in comparison. Back through the tunnels and a walk to Stoney Littleton Long Barrow. Renovated 15 years ago, it’s possible to clamber about inside this ancient monument. Our evening finished in the pool where inflatables had been arranged for a fictitious birthday and we communally munched fish and chips in the hall.
Sunday took us towards Frome. We’d been lucky with the weather, rain at night but only overcast now. Along the railway path and then up into Frome from where we headed west to Nunney with its moated castle and tearoom. Deep in the woods lay Cranmore Tower and it was to here that our lunch stop would be. At over 1000 foot above sea-level it offers great views, but it was into the tearoom that we sprinted as the heavens opened. The proprietor was fabulous. He’d lit the fire and busied himself filling us with tea and cake. The route back into Radstock took in another new cyclepath. The 5 arches was a sustrans project, renewing another section of the Somerset and Dorset railway and we took this back, whereupon the file was lit and marshmallows eaten.
Monday came and westwards along the Greenway to Chilcompton, then over the Mendips for a touch of Preloading at the Rock Cake Café before Sarah’s delicious soup and bread at our house. Back over a few more lumpy bits and the long weekend was finished.