Saturday 7 May: TOPSHAM to PAPHOS

We We have a leisurely start for a change. The weather is warm and dry and we have a pleasant cycle to Exeter St David's along the Quay mingling with the Park Runners and dog walkers. We have plenty of time and we are relieved when the guard is expecting our bikes in the rear carriage. We change at Weston Super Mare and have to cross platforms - no lifts here and Simon has to carry the bikes up and down flights of stairs. We expect Nailsea and Backwell to be rather grim but infact it is a picturesque English village with characterful cottages and a pretty little country Church. We meet an unexpectedly steep gradient and before too long I am beaten and have to walk. Not a promising start to our trip. At the top we are rewarded by  the sight of pretty woodland filled with bluebells and Bristol Airport on the horizon. We arrive with so much time that we are too early even to check in, so no pressure to get the bikes packed up. We manage to while away the hours and are soon in the air. 4 1/2 hour flight made easier with the obligatory gin and tonic. We are always relieved when we see our bikes again and have fun trying to squeeze them into the back of the taxi mini bus, having to remove the wheels. We arrive at the Almyra Hotel at half past midnight local time feeling pretty jaded and disorientated in the dark. We manage a quick refreshing beer in the bar before bed.