Still windy

When I awoke in the morning, I found that wind was still very strong. As I was packing up, a small van stopped nearby and people from the surrounding tents walked towards it. It turned out to a bloke running a mobile patisserie business. He was doing a roaring trade.

As usual, if was a bit tricky finding my way out of the town. One way streets and the Garmin often lead you in the wrong direction.

I stooped at small a supermarket to buy some fruit. A young English couple with King Charles Cocker Spaniels asked me where I was riding. They seemed amazed that an Australian would ride from Canterbury to Rome. I am not sure if it was the nationality that was the issue or the distance.

The Benefits of Own Two Dogs

We also had a chat about the benefits of having two dogs, rather than just one. They are convinced that dogs with a mate (in this case brother and sister) are happier than just one. I tend to agree based in my experience with two Schnauzers and my Canberra hosts’ experience with their Border Collies.

Commonwealth war Cemetery

As I heading into Etaples, I passed to Commonwealth War Cemetery. Over 10 thousand buried allied soldiers lie in this place. It is a stark reminder of the horrendous losses that were incurred in the Great War.

Lunch

Leaving Etaples, I headed east. Now the wind was behind me. This was such a relief. It is hard enough carrying 35 kilos plus of luggage without having to hack into a 30kph wind was well.

I stopped for lunch in restaurant which was right of the road. Many of the restaurants in country France look really dodgy from the outside. When you walk in side, they are really nice.

The clientele in this place were a mixture of the old ladies (that I assume to be widows) middle aged blokes that appeared talking business and travellers. They all seem to have plenty of time to eat and drink.

Losing the trail

I was following the cycle route to Arras using the map I was given by the Tourist Information Centre in Calais and the Garmin.

Somehow (blame the Garmin), I lost the trail. I resorted to following the road signs to the next town shown the route. This took me on a major highway. This was not a pleasant experience. Fortunately, after about 10 klms I was off the highway and back on a D road which part of the cycle route.

Smokers in a Bar

It was getting in to the early evening when I arrived in Filleres. I came a across a camping site next to the road. It looked Ok.

After setting up the tent and having a shower, I went into a small bar next to the site. There were small some number of people in there, they were all smoking. It was like going back to the 1970’s.

Night’s Sleep

I was good to be able get a night’s sleep without the tent flapping about in a gale.

Flickr Link

https://flic.kr/s/aHskfeaN6o

 

Garmin Link

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/827284903

War Cemetery Link

http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/56500/ETAPLES%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY

Heading South

My original plan was to have ridden from Calais to Boulogne on my first day in France. I decide that I was still going to ride to Boulogne and from there head west to Aaras. My host in Tunbridge Well recommend it as a place to visit.

My first task was to find something to eat. I had been told by the manager of the campsite that next town was 3 klms away. When I arrived I found a restaurant and asked what they had for breakfast. I was told that all they had was coffee. I was incredulous – “what not even a croissant?” “No   I am sorry there is nowhere here to buy food and this time”, came the reply.

Wind

As I headed off, the wind started to pick up. It was really strong and blowing directly into my face. It made the riding very difficult and slow.

It was close to midday when I found a place to get some food. It was a rather up market restaurant. I ordered an apple tart and a coffee. When I paid by credit card the waitress walked out of the restaurant and almost on to road. She explained that it was that place where she could get an internet signal.

Lunch

About an hour later I decided I need lunch. I came across a restaurant in a small town called Wimereux. I ordered sole. It was very well presented and very tasty. It is so good to be eating French food again.

More Wind

The wind really slowed me down as I headed on to Boulogne.

I had brief stop in the centre of the city near the docks. It seemed like a reasonable place, if somewhat shabby.

Camping Site

The wind had really go to me as I continued to head south. I decided to stop at the first camp site that I found.

The place I found was close to the beach in Equihen – Plage and looked impressive from the outside. I have become to expect that most large French campsite have all the facilities you need including a café and more than likely, a licenced restaurant. This place was missing these two.

Flickr Link

https://flic.kr/s/aHskfPWD3G

Garmin Link

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/827284835

Canterbury to Rome Day 1 and 2

I spent a couple of days in Royal Tunbridge Wells before heading back to Canterbury.

I stayed at Neal’s Farm again. This is a great place to camp. It is a working farm only about 3 klms from the centre of the city with a licence for camping over the summer months.

South to Deal

The route down to south coast took me through Sandwich. I decided to have lunch there – a Salmon sandwich.

I then continued on to Deal. I had booked into the Kingsdown International Camping Centre which is about 4 klms from the town. It turned out to be a great place, with spectacular views over the English Channel. I decided to stay a few days. There were ongoing issues with immigrants causing the port in Calais to be periodically closed and I needed sort out some ‘administrative, stuff. This looked like a good place to do it.

Good Library

Next day, I walked into Deal along the sea front. The area is a very popular place to retire. I felt really young. It also must have one of the highest rates of dog ownership on the planet.

Deal has a really good public library.

Three Pubs

Back in Kingsdown, I decided to check out the pubs. The Zetland Arms, which is on the beach was recommended, the manager to the campsite, as the place to eat. He was right, it is very good.

I also checked out the Rising Sun (owned by the same people as the Zetland) and the Kings Heads. The latter is a traditional ‘public house’, frequented by people from the village.

To Dover

On Monday, it was time to leave for France. I headed to Dover along the coast. I have been to Dover a number of times, put not from this direction. The best place to view the ‘white cliffs’ is from on the eastern side of the town.

On the Ferry

The Dover docks are undergoing a redevelopment. There are temporary barriers all over the place. Whoever is responsible, clearly does not have the cyclists in mind. The cycle path was blocked at several points and I was forced to take the lane used by cars and trucks. This was not fun.

Calais and South

I dropped into the Tourist Centre in Calais. They provided me with a couple of maps, including one detailing the ‘velo’ (cycling) routes in the area. A good old paper map has its advantages over a google map. It is certainly better than using the Garmin.

Early Stop

I headed south towards Boulogne. I noticed a sign to campsite. The place looked good and I decided to stop.

I will head to Escalles on the coast and on to Boulogne.

Flickr Links

https://flic.kr/s/aHskf435hY

Garmin Links

To Dover

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/825418602

From Calais

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/825418643