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When he had said 'a helmet,' we assumed he had meant 'a helmet each,' but it turned
out he meant just the one helmet. Still, we decided to take it in turns to wear it, therefore
making us significantly safer 50% of the time.
We headed out of Bath via Pulteney Bridge. Pulteney Bridge is one of only four bridges
in the world to be lined by shops on both sides. In fact, it feels so much like a normal street
that we suffered the embarrassment of asking someone which direction the bridge was,
only to be given the reply, 'you're on the bridge, m'duck.'
Having successfully crossed the Avon, we then continued with renewed enthusiasm in
what we thought was the direction of Scotland. 45 minutes later we were forced to retrace
our steps to the Pulteney Bridge and try again. In the excitement of getting a new bike and
a helmet we had headed west towards Bristol instead of continuing north.
WethentookawrongturnandendeduphavingtotakealengthydetouraroundColerne
Airport and then through the sinister sounding villages of Slaughterford and Thickwood
before joining the busy A420 for a few miles to correct our mistake.
We arrived in the village of Nettleton with high expectations of a long leisurely pub
lunch, but were greatly disappointed to discover that the village didn't have a pub.
It did, however, have a well stocked Post Office.
Di, the lady who ran the Post Office, seemed overly excited by the arrival of two
strangely dressed 'out-of-towners' to her shop. When we explained our mission she got
even more excited and seemed to find the whole thing very amusing. We offered to help
out in the shop in exchange for some food but she just laughed.
'Does it look like I need help in here?' she chuckled. 'You two just help yourself to any
sandwiches or cakes that you want.'
'We don't want to take away your stock like that. Do you have anything that you were
throwing out?' asked Ben.
'There'sacoupleofprawnsandwichesoutthebackthatexpiredyesterday.Ihadonefor
lunch and I'm still alive,' she said.
'That would be perfect. Thank you.'
'At least take a cake and a chocolate bar each,' she said.
'Oh, go on then. If you insist.'
We sat at the picnic table outside and ate our gone-off prawn sandwiches, Eccles cakes
and Snickers (other peanut, nougat and caramel chocolate bars are available). We were en-
joying the peace and quiet of the Wiltshire countryside when I felt a sudden rush of panic
through my body.
'OHSHIT!It'smymum'sbirthdaytomorrow.Ihaven'tgotherapresent.Ihaven'teven
sent her a card.'
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