Whiddon Down, Devon

Sunny and warm, and blustery east headwind continues. Though a short day still barely making 8mph average: my walking (uphill) tour of Cornwall and now Devon persists. Nice start to the day, slightly easier than yesterday, but doesn't last as route takes savage up and down farm roads, impossible grades. After lunch in Tavistock to adjust my squealing front brakes and quick visit to bike shop to use their pump to check and add to tire pressure, start long climb up Dartmoor. Wind blows, I walk. My saddle bags act as sails to catch wind and knock me about. Ride a bit up, walk a bit up, rationing strain on knees. Stop close to top to get out of wind at old house where Mike has parked. He's a photographer, offers me hot tea from thermos and chance to sit on tailgate. We chat, he tells me all about Dartmoor National Park, prison, ponies, Hound of Baskervilles. And offers to drive me to visitor center, off my route to see visitor center and catch the sights; we even stop for cream tea later, before he drives me last 10 miles to motel. Lovely being out of wind, watching the moor go by.