Rain was forecast to start around 4am and sure enough, around that time I was woken up by the unmistakable sound of rain on tent!

Convinced that I was just going to have to deal with a wet decamp, I dozed off for a bit.

After a while I noticed it had stopped. So I got up and did probably my quickest, most efficient pack up yet.

It was very warm, so everything dried out incredibly quickly.

I got on my way by about six thirty, half thinking the forecast might be completely wrong. It was me who was wrong. Very wrong!

Barry Island was to be my first stop. It was around 15 miles away. Roads were quiet first thing and I made good progress. There was a little rain on and off, but nothing too bothersome.

I arrived at Barry and immediately spied a Greggs right on the front by the somewhat tatty amusements.

Baked goods were purchased and consumed a bit nearer the beach.

Next up was Cardiff. The rain was a little more persistent by now, obscuring some great views of the city. I dropped down and crossed on the barrage thing. I thought it was a ferry at first, but not to be.

After that the rain really started to come down! I took shelter under some particularly dense trees, which was fine for a while, but I needed to get going or I'd be there all day!

What followed was an insanely wet crawl through Cardiff. I got drenched. Still, it was actually really warm so it wasn't too bad.

I continued out the other side - next stop Newport. It wasn't that far and I was on autopilot by this point!

Once in Newport I phoned a campsite I'd seen and they said I could turn up whenever. It was less than 20 miles, but it took ages.

Newport is certainly full of characters! A bit rough to be honest, but I got out of there via the canal with various Goldie Lookin Chain songs in my head!

The path was pleasant enough, but a little tricky to follow at times as it often left the canal for a bit or was inexplicably closed in a couple of places.

To cut a long story short, I made it to the campsite. Thankfully, the weather was improving. It's very nice and a friendly couple made me a cup of tea on my arrival. They also gave me a pastry thing. I'm kinda hoping they might offer me more food! There is a pub nearby, but I'm not sure I can be bothered!

Anyway, Onwards to Bristol tomorrow. Just a quick blast down NCN whatever and over the bridge. I believe a massive hill might be involved, but I'm trying not to think about that!