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Sunday 11th July 2004

a cow bathing in KansasMarshfield City Park through to Golden City, Missouri. A 79 mile day! Rather hillier than I expected - the Ozark hills made an unexpected return - hilly, hot and humid initially, so going was slow. Went through loads of groves - Walnut Grove, Ash Grove, Fair Grove. Ash Grove had a college 1884 - 1894 (it burnt down, rather early on) - classic education college of the end of the last century - so like Lincoln Theological College, of fond memory (which didn't burn down, but was given an episcopal chop instead). After Pennsboro the hills relented and it became fairly easy. The landscape now is wide open agricultural land, building up to Kansas. Herds of cows and bulls, lots of crops. Colden City (is this an inspiration for the Emerald City of Oz?) was not golden, but it was immensely friendly. First of all we were invited into a cafe that had just, in theory closed, but was still in full swing (Cooky's Cafe, Golden City is excellent!). The food was plentiful and cheap. Finally one of the Bike Hostel owners turned up (summoned by one of the cafe staff on their mobile 'phone) and joined us. Then over to the hostel, carrying rather a lot of free pie (I'd especially recommend the Apple, it was wonderful), and into a tea drinking binge in conversation with the Hostel owner. His career has seen Vietnam, the Navy, and now business in a small town in Missouri. A pleasant character to talk to. Gave us the low down on just how many churches the baptists have split into! Each time there's a disagreement there's a split, just about! A great way to end up with religion in 9999 flavours. As usual today, the cows were bathing. I quite understand.

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