Day 4 - Chelmsford to Harwich

The day started worryingly, Kate's wrist had swollen over night and still felt tender. Paula took her to a walk in clinic which was fortunately in sainsburys nearby, after a brief inspection Paula and Kate were sent to A&E. Kate had 2 x-rays, followed by a further 2 more as the first ones proved inconclusive. The conclusion from the later x-rays was that it could be a scaphoid fracture, and Kate has to wear  a futura splint, will need a further X-ray in 2 weeks and is to rest her arm! At which point Paula and Kate both laughed.

In true traditions of the Tour de France the team decision was to take drugs(well ibuprofen and paracetamol) and carry on.

All this resulted with start of midday. We had agreed to meet our good friends David (hagrid), Anna and their 2 youngest 2 boys Charlie and Alfie in the crown pub just to the north east of Colchester. We rode their as quick as we could through the country lanes of Essex and Colchester which seems a lovely town. We got there by 3pm and had a fantastic afternoon of  drinking, eating, drinking and more drinking. We were also joined by their eldest daughter Emily and her young not Jacob. Unfortunately it was soon time to say goodbye and at 8pm we headed for Harwich.

I must admit I can't remember too much of the ride to harwich, but we arrived in the dark juat 9.30 still in plenty of time for the ferry. So far 3 of the 4 days have finished in the dark, and it was only a lucky last minute decision to take lights

Today's stats
Distance 72.7k
Time 2.35.00
Climb
Average speed 20.1 kph
Total distance 305k