Bridport

Another slow start yesterday, after too little sleep, awake at 5am, but breakfast not until 7:30. Great food, nice talking with Saskia and her experiences running B&B for 9months so far. Her first client was a woman hiding from the police, who tracked her down and took her away without explanation.

Dawdle, finally out door after 9:30, heading for Salisbury on a B road not much different than the A roads in terms of traffic, just hillier. Into headwind, but nice scenery and views of chalkdowns, ringforts and rich farmland. Get to Salisbury two hours later, tired and hot, so have early lunch at tea room on the green across from Cathedral, then digest by going inside. Very warm, still windy when I head on after 1:30, aiming southwest for Dorchester near coast, where I will meet up with my friend Brian's Brit friend Lee. Can really feel lack of sleep, hills, warm blustery wind, traffic and no real shoulder to ride on. Call Lee about 4 to arrange where to meet, he will drive out to small town and collect me. I get to small town about 5, wait, try calling him but no service, non-working phone in booth, so ask guy working on his motorbike in his garage. Rick calls Lee, who had driven right pass me. Finally collects me and we introduce ourselves -- perhaps we met in London 40 years ago? He tours me around to coast, first stopping at Cerne Abbas to see the anatomically correct Giant Man chalk figure, then nice view of Chesil Beach. On to his house in Bridport, which he is in process of selling, so only furniture is his camping gear. Quick cleanup and walk to nice restaurant and beer. Great time talking and noting similarities in our lives.

Today I wake up even earlier, can't get back to sleep, exhausted and my arms are sore from yesterday's 68 miles of hills, rough pavement, traffic. Declare need for day off, since Lee is most accommodating.
Will try to figure out train connection to make up for today's lost riding.