Poole

 

What a terrible night! We'd decided against a cabin at a cost of nearly one hundred pounds in favour of reclining chairs at five pounds each. Wrong move. Some of the other occupants in the saloon talked until late, ate their way noisily through packets of crisps and biscuits, snored, coughed etc. Angela noticed for a couple of hours the ferry was not moving, anything to kill time on a crossing that in the daytime takes five hours. Consequently we were tired, very tired this morning as we disembarked at 7 am. John wanted to photograph the sunrise, but was shouted at not to by an official as we were in a restricted area, probably because of the nearby marines base. But John being John, duped the official and took the photo. By 8 am we were home and tucked up in our own bed until mid-day. Four weeks two days ago we'd set off on our adventure. We've met some pleasant and interesting people along the way, and we wonder where some of our fellow travellers are now, especially the young French couple from Vannes. Our journey took us through the beautiful Loire and into eastern France. To start with the temperature was in the low thirties, too hot. By the end we'd experienced night time temperatures close to freezing and copious amounts of rain. But here we were, home, safe, tired but pleased we'd achieved our goal to cross the Swiss border. We are already thinking about another cycling trip next May. Yes we're sad to be home, but you have to return so you can set off again. 

Barfleur Ferry

 

Today we had to kill time in Cherbourg. Our car ferry did not leave until 21.45 pm. Oh Joy. We decided to have lunch at a restaurant by the harbour, Angela trying Marmite au Pecheur, (fish pot), which was delicious, and John the house vegetarian pizza, a pizza like no other, with no cheese and a topping of lots of green beans amongst other veg. Time spent in the supermarket resulted in the purchase of two bottles of Bordeaux wine from Chateau La Virou for Christmas and new year consumption. Angela can always make room for wine!

Cherbourg

What a day! Because we only had nine minutes to make our connection at Strasbourg John decided we'd catch a train from Mulhouse an hour before the one we were booked on, and boy were we glad we did. Next stop Paris. Five in the afternoon and we had to change stations in the rain. Busy didn't even describe the city, manic more like and we had to navigate using our phone. But we made it onto the 17.59 pm to Cherbourg. All downhill now, stress over. No. Shortly after leaving we were informed the train would be an hour late. Arriving now at 10.30 pm instead of 9.30 pm. After many announcements we found the cause of our delay was a fault at a level crossing. By the time we arrived at Cherbourg we were passed caring. We had the code to access the barrier at the campsite and we knew where it was having stayed there on our first night. As we left the station and rode into the dark of night the rain began to fall heavily. Of course it did! We'd spent ten hours travelling on trains and now the tent had to be put up in the rain. We were at a low point. We survived the night, despite a strong wind and lashing rain and the next day dawned settled, so we were able to pack the tent away dry. 

Mulhouse (Day 3)

 

Anna set off just before twelve to continue her journey to Portugal. This campsite is exceptional when it comes to facilities for cyclists, and as it was her first of her trip we think she'll be in for a surprise as she continues on her way. Also, most of the campsites will close on September 30th. Angela is desperately trying to receive a response from the campsite at Cherbourg. We have three trains to catch tomorrow, the last arrives at Cherbourg at nine-twenty-one in the evening, so we need to be sure we can access the site, after a cycle of about an hour. Before we waved Anna off, John gave her a tip. Stock up on toilet paper before you leave. Most French campsites don't provide it, it's down to you. Fill your boots, pockets and panniers. Angela always does. Around midday, we packed our lunch and cycled out of the town for around an hour in the direction of Basel looking for fungi along the way. John was very keen to find some chicken of the woods to eat in his omelette tomorrow morning. Two large barges passed by us on the canal. Now we have slowed down, we feel tired, but still hungry, eating too much. A coffee stop in the town before shopping for tomorrow's travelling, to ensure we have enough food, then back to our little chalet for one last night. Tomorrow, we will be back in our tent. Let's hope the rain stays away. We feel a little sad to be coming home, but now the weather is changing we know we've had the best of it, so it's probably a good thing.

Mulhouse (Day 2)

We were unable to book trains for us and our bikes until Tuesday, so decided to treat ourselves and splash out on a little cabin for three nights. No more cold, wet nights in our little tent. Last night we rested well, not waking until just before nine. Luxury. Today we would be 'tourists', cycling into the old town to take in the medieval architecture. Coffee, and general mooching about suited us well. Then back to our humble abode to book the car ferry home. Unfortunately, the crossing on Wednesday is overnight, arriving in Poole at seven in the morning. As the rain poured down early this evening Angela spoke to a young girl who was on day two of her cycling trip. Her destination is Portugal in around fifty days. Taking the train at times. Yes, we're a mad bunch of us, cycle tourists. Bring on the next trip we say. We are just over half way now to Budapest. What do we think, perhaps next year.

Mulhouse (Day 1)

DeIt rained in the night, and we had no way of drying our tent this morning, so packed it away we and set off in the rain to Basal. At five to midday we crossed the frontier into Switzerland. We'd made it. In just over three weeks we cycled around seven hundred and fifty miles, what with the detours to campsites etc. We found Basal a little underwhelming. Chaotic and dirty and the food we bought in the supermarket was very expensive. Angela of course couldn't resist a toblerone! Our trip was completed. We'd achieved our objective. Now where was the train station. We needed to return to Mulhouse. Cycle back? You must be joking!

Kembs

 

Beautiful sunrises, follow cold nights, and bright sunshine and clear blue then fill the day. It was all downhill now to Mulhouse. Our cycle along the canal was pleasant. We stopped to look at a bell that was erected to signify the local extinction of the curlew. A few barges sailed by, as always their owners waved us on our way. Today we would cycle through Mulhouse, stopping briefly on the way through alongside the canal to eat lunch. Our destination was a campsite at Kembs. Just ten miles from Basel, our overall destination. We'd not bothered to stock up on food as there was an Aldi supermarket close by. It was closed for five months. Why? Oh dear we had to source an evening meal. Angela went out to search and returned with two chicken burgers and chips from a nearby restaurant. The food was fantastic. The French don't stint on quality. Just after we arrived at the campsite, Anneka cycled in, on her return ride across the border to Basel, she thought we'd probably be here. It was nice to see her again, and perhaps one day we'll visit her at her home in Rouen.