Hamilton

30 miles into the day and looking for lunch I turned off into a village and found a cafe guarded by a chicken. One other bike. What a fab place. 24 day aged steak (too expensive), ham and pea soup (perfect).

Sat down to chat with cyclist who decided to do LEJOG on the spur of the moment. Where do you come from' I ask. 'Near a place called Chewton Mendip' he says. Wow, only 10 miles from me. Name of Drew. We chatted and he said 'You seem like a nice chap. Let me tell you about my wife'. He told me the story of their 52 yrs together before she died earlier this year. Very sad. He talked about his cycling adventures and achievements then said he belonged to Somer Valley CC! 'Do you know Eugene and Sally?' I asked. Yes. Mutual acquaintances!

On parting we looked at the handmade wooden mud guards on his bike. The front one has a seal figurine on. His nickname for his wife was 'my seal'. Even longer story.... I suggested I would pray for him during his grieving whist I rode and he really appreciated the offer.

Chance meeting? Or pre-ordained?

I'll let you do the philosophy while I smile at the memory.Read more