My precious gas canisters were confiscated when going through Eurostar security despite my protestations that this type were very hard to buy in France and I wouldn't be able to make my cups of tea at the end of a hard day's cycle... Although this was met with surprising sympathy (& amusement) by the Eurostar staff, the answer was still a firm "no Madam, you cannot take these on board". And yet you can take firearms on board!!
So Janny, Gus & Chris to the rescue trying to locate a nearby Decathlon in Paris where they do sell these canisters. Hero Chris wheelied into action on his new motorbike, zoomed to Decathlon and bought me several replacement canisters - hurrah!! The biggest thank you to all 3 of you. I've attached the photo of Chris handing me the treasured canisters. All is well, I can now make mugs of tea again throughout the tour!! Anyone who knows me, especially my Grandad who calls me "tea-belly", will know what this means to me!
The rest of the day, although not quite as eventful as being treated as a potential bomb-maker, was met with great friendliness, help & support from so many people as I battled getting the bike, 6 bags & me on and off trains. For those of you wondering what it is like to travel this way, it is absolutely fine & considerably less daunting than I feared. Just remember no gas canisters on Eurostar though!
And it was just fantastic to meet my lovely sister, Janny, in London and have some quality natter time until she left early for London this morning as I now head for Switzerland. It was also a great pleasure to finally meet triathlete (now hero!) Chris who seemed to find the whole dashing around Paris for gas canisters rather exciting! Thankfully the weather was fabulous with temperatures at 26 degrees in the evening.
Again a big thank you to all of you for so many wonderful messages. Not only are you sending them from as far afield as New Zealand, it is absolutely amazing to hear from school friends again who I haven't been in touch with since, well, school. It is so great to hear from you and thank you for thinking I'm so tough!!! I think I'll feel anything but when my muscles start screaming at me over the next few days!
Day 2 of travel to get out of the way and then I'll finally be off on my big adventure!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2
Ha, good old Decathlon! You'll have to let me know how quickly you get through them with all that tea drinking, and I'll get some more supplies ready for collection here. Good luck on your onward journey..!!
ReplyDeleteMary
I have bought gas cannisters at French supermarkets - even for my wee gas cooker from downunder - but as you say very random you can't take them on the train! Sounds like a real adventure! I thought on Eurostar you couldn't take bikes so that is really good to know
ReplyDeleteAll fun and games and part of the adventure. Never a dull moment. Hope you enjoyed your first night of camping. Jan xx
ReplyDeletegood luck hun, enjoy your amazing journey that you are taking, Joan xxxxx
ReplyDeleteWell Andi got on the blog great to hear about your trip so far. Will be thinking about you good luck and enjoy love Helen xx(PP)
ReplyDeletemethinks this trip will be a great vein for stories at long evening dinners once you return. Let's guess the next adventure: "Andi teaches long lost Swiss Yeti to make tea?"
ReplyDeleteObama:"yes we can"
ReplyDeleteRebecca Brooks:"yes we cam"
Andi:"yes we canister"