The Last full day

I had an email from Tom,which I found this morning confirming broken ribs,clavicle and a punctured lung.Very good to hear from him and know he is functioning.
 Over breakfast we had a discussion with Paula re Elizabeth's day,and all agreed that she should take the car to the first stop and then ride.This way she was able to avoid the worst of the hills but put in a good days cycle.
 So I set off on my own again,firstly along some flat roads and soon leaving Vermont and entering New Hampshire.The morning was a little misty which produced an evocative scene.

As we entered the new state the road started to ascend,first in small hills but eventually up a little monster of 13.8%.Folowed by a series of hills at 7-8%.Tiring after yesterday's climbs.

Again there were beautiful streams running next to the road,lovely to hear as well as to see.

One unusual sight this morning was a wild turkey that found himself in the middle of the road,not sure which way to turn.

One of the cyclists even saw a wild bear in the woods,but no chance of a photo.After 30 miles Peyton came up behind me and sat on my wheel until Ovi arrived,when Peyton hared off and I took a break on Ov's wheel up to the first stop at 35 miles.

Elizabeth joined me at the first stop for the 26 miles to the second stop,with the intention of reassessing her  before the final 28 miles.The weather was hotting up,the inital road surface poor but the scenery beautiful.

Eventually we came across a brand new road,fantastic surface,huge shoulder,such a joy that it was a real shame when we had to turn off!Elizabeth liked this sign,never seen one like it in the UK

We passed from New Hampshire into Massachusetts

and safely through to the second stop and E feeling fit so after a short break off we rode.Now into a very residential area with lots of small hills and a road closed!! The road was closed for resurfacing but we were told we could cycle down the wrong side of the road and use the brand new surface-lovely but only lasted a mile.With 25 Kms to go I spied a pizza place so we popped in and shared a small pizza(too big for us) and then with the post-prandial slump ambled along to the hotel.A clapping crowd met us but frankly I had little sense of exhilaration,just a feeling of tiredness.The trip is really over,tomorrow we will ride the last 21 Kms to the beach and share lunch together ,but the main mileage is done,the certificates handed out and we can think about packing to go home.Celebration meal this evening and a few beers all round.