It felt quite special to make it to the coast today. At yesterday's campsite, they had a huge map of Europe on the wall & I was staggered, amazed & proud when I saw that I had cycled all the way from the far east of Switzerland to the northern coast of France. A bit of a zig-zag route, too! I don't let myself get too excited at this stage about what I've done, I've not made it yet! All being well, I'll have a fairly short day to Calais tomorrow, a rest day there on Sunday and then the ferry & Bike Bus to Boroughbridge, Yorkshire on Monday, camp overnight & cycle back with some wonderful clubmates who are coming to meet me in Boro on Tuesday. So home Tuesday afternoon sometime.
Back to today. I've had a lovely day's cycle in warm sunshine, quite flat & easy until the last few miles. Where I'm staying tonight (doesn't it look gorgeous?) is all steep hills, it almost reminds me of Dorset. It is actually raining now! And there are some attempts are rumbles of thunder but they're a bit pathetic. The forecast was for rain so I've been immensely lucky that it's only just started this evening.
I reached here around 2pm as I'd decided on 2 short days of cycling to Calais. So that gave me time to do quite a bit of washing and fortunately everything dried in the warm sunshine before the rain arrived. I even went for my glass of wine (1 euro 60!) at 4pm which felt very frivolous & naughty but it feels more like a holiday now I'm on the coast!
My real "moment" of today was seeing the White Cliffs of Dover! I can see England again!! Incredible! A very exciting moment. I guess if the weather is fair tomorrow, I should be able to see them throughout the day as I pedal. Cool!
Thank you all so much for your wonderful messages and happy Bank Holiday weekends everybody!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2
Ahhh the white cliffs of Dover in sight! Wow! WELL DONE!!!!!!!!! Amazing achievement
ReplyDeletexx
Mary
Glass of wine? Don't mind if I do, for medicinal purposes only Andi you must understand that ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell done you, that is a great view I am glad that you can see England again even though it is a cloudy day here in Surrey although no rain yet!
Have a good sleep and enjoy Calais if you can treat yourself to something nice, you deserve it.
Have a good day cycling to Calais, hope the weather holds off for you.
Take care
Jeannette x
Nice that you have started to be able to reflect a little on your epic tour that you are undertaking. It's massive, esp when you consider it's all by pedal power whilst lugging your house around with you! You have legs of steel, but still arms of a squid!! Te he!! Think I might indulge in a little tipple this evening. I'm sure it's great medicine to help with aching muscles - gotta be worth a shot! Enjoy your last few days on French turf. How amazing that you are getting a welcome home gathering. Awesome! Jxx
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you had a good day with the weather, we have had rain all day booo!! no change for the next couple days either.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite staggering the miles you have done since you started this epic tour, plus carrying everything as well, such a fantastic achievement and on your own! Wow is all i can say!!
No wonder you had to have wine, biscuits, ice cream, anything
with chocolate!! i think i had better stop now !
How amazing seeing England now! your tent looks very proud and your bike deserves a medal! Enjoy your glass of wine tonight, you so deserve it.
We have just had our Conservatory man round to firm up on one or two things. We are getting the builder round next week and getting in touch with the Gas people to move our meter. We should be up and running and finished by end of Oct, i shall enjoy decorating the new Conservatory with lots of Christmasy things! Can't wait now!!
I will try and be in contact with you over the weekend, hopefuly i will be able to blog.
Take care and enjoy your Bank holiday weekend.
Lots of love
Mum xx