Today just seemed a much better day. I didn't care if I couldn't go faster than 6mph on the flat into the headwind whereas I've struggled the last couple of days & tried to push (to 7mph!). I can't change the weather. And there were definitely less hills today. Phew!
The photo is the view from my picnic lunch and much of today. I had a somewhat disturbed lunch when someone (presumably/hopefully a farmer) started shooting something. They were rather close. Instead of worrying about myself - I felt well protected by my considerable number of panniers as I sat on the grass eating my picnic - I hoped they would leave my bike tyres alone. I'd finally found a bike shop that was open today and they kindly blew up my tyres for me. I didn't want some stray bullet puncturing them!! Does that mean my thought process has gone a bit skewy on this trip?! Will I ever be normal again?!
I'm 3-4km from the coast now. Why didn't I continue? I dived into the 1st campsite I saw! Actually, it was the 2nd. The 1st one I tried, there was no-one on Reception, no-one in the house opposite where the note on the Reception door sent you and no-one answering the phone number provided. It did say their opening hours were 10am-12pm. 2 hours a day, it's a tough life!
So I was successful with this campsite although I had problems with the showers again. All the doors were locked and no-one was in them. Hmmm. So a trip to Reception, which was open. It resulted in me having a whizz around the campsite in one of those fun buggies with a member of staff so he could show me what to do. He took me to the disabled shower (yeah, thanks!) which was clearly easier for him than explaining anything else. As it turns out, EVERY shower in my block is broken along with almost every toilet. They obviously keep up to things here...Anyway, it was worth it for the fun buggy ride!
I was really cold this morning in particular despite temperatures still being healthy and thankfully lots of sun today. I still have all my Winter kit with me from my days in the mountains earlier in the tour which I think I'll need when I return to Yorkshire!! I'm such a wimp! You keep soaking up as much warmth and sunshine as possible, T, I'm doing the same!
It was definitely much cooler last night and I was in my silk liner as well as my sleeping bag. What a change from a few days ago! I know I'm North in the country now!
Right, time for wine!
Have fabulous Bank Holidays everyone! I'm saying this early for those of you taking Friday off and for those of you who don't even work Fridays!
And thank you all again for your continuing messages, some have really made me laugh today :-)))
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2
I love my Fridays!! (Did I mention I don't work Fridays?) he he he
ReplyDeleteBroken up until Tuesday now - YEAH!
I have a couple of jobs this weekend including a wedding Jamboree in Ilkley which I am looking forward to. Treated myself to a couple of new paints and as I type I have painted flowers on my arms in neon UV colours. Unfortunately I can't find my UV light and it is not dark yet! Going to leave if on a few hours and try a couple of torches! Little things please little minds!
Looking forward to seeing the girls tomorrow for another slackers lunch!
Keep safe and keep blogging.
Lots of love
Mandie x
Hey, glad things feel a little better... :-) there may be a hitch with f+f at Linda's on sat but will keep u posted, sure I'll see you b4 then anyway. In the meantime, keep up with alcohol and keep on pedalling... :-)
ReplyDeleteJust thought i would try again to send my blog!!
ReplyDeleteHi Andi,
ReplyDeleteIt now seems to be working again! strange machines computers.
I am glad you have had a better day today.
I can see it getting harder the nearer you get to Calais it means the hard work is nearly done. You have lots to tell people and photo's to look at plenty of tea and biscuits to consume, wonderful!!
Nan and Grandad are looking forward to seeng you. Just been chatting to Nan tonight about your journey. She is very excited about it which is good for the pair of them.
I can't wait for you to come down and see us,plenty to see and visit plus lots of tea and chin waggs to have. Broad Windsor to see!!
I hope you have a lovely meal and relax tonight.
Take care
Lots of Love
Mum xx
Andi, Andi, Andi - your title for your e-book would be fine if you were writing under the nom de plume of "Ron Seal".
ReplyDeleteHow about "Belle du Tour" - mind you that might attract the wrong kind of attention. If you want a cycling pun eg "Change of Gear" etc etc think of it quick and copyright it even quicker because the autobiographies of Hoy,Pendleton & Wiggins will be hitting the bookshops within weeks.
If your target market is intellectual and/or French how about "A la Recherche du tents perdu"? Strictly speaking the tents weren't "perdu" but it has a classy sound to it, I think.
I will keep thinking!
Charlie x
Hi, only just caught up on yesterday's and today's blogs, sorry to hear you were having a crappy day yesterday but glad you've rediscovered your va va voom today. When you get home you have to get hold of a film called 'Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis' which is a hilarious French comedy from which I learnt that the French have exactly the same idea that 'it's grim up north' as we do! Poor guy gets posted to the gloomy, wet, depressing Calais region as a punishment... it's very funny. You might identify ;o)
ReplyDeleteBonne chance with finding tea-making kit....
Mary x
Hey there
ReplyDeleteJust caught up with your blog after a mad couple of weeks and thought to drop you a line to say hi.
You are doing so well, hopefully the hills will flatten out soon, perhaps you should have done a tour of Holland ?
Hope you found somewhere to make a decent cup of tea.
Take care
Jeannette x
Tea tea tea - I reckon everyone has the measure of you sis! How is the pain au chocolat belly coming along? I'm recovering from another Toby session today, I'm sure he forgets that I am not a bionic woman! There was plenty of laughter as always. It's FRIDAY whoop whoop, we've just got some party food in for a birthday girl at work. Party Rings, animal biscuits all the grown up stuff :-) Have a fun day. Jan xx
ReplyDeleteWe go to Peterborough tomorrow until Monday afternoon, i will try and blog from my phone, but i don't hold out much hope!
ReplyDeletei will text you anyway then at least i can keep in touch.
Tomorrow we leave around 11am so i will send you a blog tomorrow morning. Charlie has the link on his phone, i will ask him to set mine up as well!
We have rain today typical Bank Holiday weather already.
Conservatory man is coming tonight, we want a few things to be resolved before we go ahead, timing could be an issue, we have to have vents for the boiler moved and Electric meters plus vent for cooker hood. We want to make sure they can move everything before we start with the Builder. Harder work than you might think!!
I hope today is a good one for you. lots of tea and biscuits.
Take care
Lots of love
Mum xx