Day 87: Eton to Fernham, September 26th.

Woke at 7. Got up slowly. I had intended to cycle all the way home today but Dad says I should get back on Wednesday so he can film it. Therefore I was in no rush. I finished my pop-chips, brushed my teeth, somewhat dried out my sodden tent, packed, planned a place to stop and set off into Eton to a cafe. There I got a full English, embarrassed myself multiple times in front of the barista, charged my phone, and wrote this.

I explored Eton a little. It was full of school boys dressed as though they were in Harry Potter. I felt very out of place. Unfortunately the campsite I chose for this last night (because it was roughly halfway and had a shower) meant that Eton was the most interesting thing I saw all day.

Having cycled half of the southern route before I decided to stick more north, meaning I avoided the North Wessex downs AONB completely and instead spent my day cycling on pavements of a road, or busy side roads through small urban conglomerations and by uninteresting farms.

I took a detour at one point to go to Tesco and try and get a hardest geezer meal deal to enter the competition. They had no Perfect-Ted energy so I bought a Doctor Pepper instead (and a Prime – it was alright actually). I cycled a little way more, and at a convenient bench I stopped and ate a hoisin duck wrap, a dairy milk, and a banana.

The rest of the day was more of the same. I stopped in an Aldi and ate some cakes. I’ll have to stop all these indulgences once in Bristol. At 5:30 I reached the campsite. It was empty and I had to enquire in the neighbouring farm shop whether it was open. It was, and I set up my tent, took a shower (much appreciated) and received a call from the owner. She turned up around 7. I paid her on Monzo (£21! Ridiculous), then cycled to a nearby pub (the Wooden Inn) and paid £14 for a sirloin. I’m currently contemplating dessert as I write this and charge my phone. I mean, my trip will be over soon. Why not?

Last pub meal of the trip

***

I got a cheesecake. It was sick.

I cycled back to the campsite in the dark, got into my damp tent, and slept.

Video of this day (and others)