Thanks for all your answers!
Sorry for my long reaction time, but I could not get online for some time - telephone line was down.
I will check out all the links you provided.

The problem when searching for sites about Wales are the million of Australian (New South Wales) sites clogging up the result.

Thanks to Ella I know that it is possible to cross at the Severn bridges. Whether I will do it or not depends on the time I will have - I am just starting my planning for the tour which will be from July 22 to August 27.

And if I do it I will most probably use the train option even if I lose the view (big, windy bridges are not my dream cycling condition - I did not like the Firth of Forth bridge near Edinbourgh when I crossed it two years ago).

Sian, thanks for your concern - but I am quite an experienced cyclist, I survived 7000km (4400m) in Ireland, 1000km (630m) in England, 1800km (1150m) in Greece, 6000km (3750m) in France, 1000km (630m) in Italy, 2000km (1250m) in Austria and about another 1000km (630m) in various other countries (Poland, Suisse, Liechtenstein, ...) In addition there are between 8000km and 12000km (5000m - 7500m) every year in Germany, most of it in Munich.

This should also answer Peg's worry about my fitness (I wish you will have fine weather for your walking!).

Llanfair and Jon, I think you made a big mistake! I might accept your offer and visit you! But if I do, I can't give you a long warning time - it is the nature of a cycling tour that you can't plan ahead for too long (there might be technical problems, or I just decide to stay longer in a place ...)

Jon, no problem about the pint (btw, is Guinness available in Welsh pubs? It is the only beer I like. If not, I will find some other stuff to drink!), but about the song... My musical abilities are limited to listening. My music-making abilities can only be used for one purpose: to get people to flee (if I get on stage and start, half a minute all people will have left the concert hall in panic)

Thanks! MudGuard