Trinity, Jersey (Day 1 &2)

  

March, time to travel. Because of the ninety-day ruling for travelling in Europe, we couldn't go to France as we have plans for a rather adventurous European trip in June. So, we decided on Jersey, fourteen miles off the coast of France. Marge isn't with us, the roads here are too narrow, so we brought 'Madge', our new car. She's a Peugeot Rifter, with all the room Wee Margie had, and younger. Our blog is Marge the VW, but being able to write about all our trips using all our vehicles is a way of keeping a memory log for us both in later life. So Madge, buckle up, it'll be fun1

After a bumpy ferry crossing from Poole, we arrived early evening at our airbnb accommodation, a self contained flat in the village of Trinity. This morning, we were able to fully appreciate our surroundings. peaceful, beautiful countryside, with a view of the sea and France.

Keen to explore we set off early soon stopping at the pretty fishing village of Rozel. For the first time in ages, we felt warm outside, and enjoyed taking a walk around. People swam in the harbour whilst others gathered for a catch up over coffee and bacon baps. We mingled with the locals and everyone was very friendly. High on the hill, the upvc cloches covering the vegetables growing in the wild area caught the watery sunlight as they rippled in a light breeze. Our first morning on the island, and it felt very laid back.

Then a walk through St. Catherines Woods, roaming through the trees, hopping across stepping stones, and then washing our boots that had sucked into the mud along the path, in the gently flowing stream took us to lunchtime, after which we took the coast road to Gorey to view the 800 year old castle that cast a shadow over the exposed seaweed marbled sands of the harbour. 

  The weather forecast this week is mixed, and by late afternoon the wind had picked up and rain fell in sheets. Once again, the ferry from Poole has been cancelled, as it was Friday. How lucky were we to be able to cross on Saturday? Fingers crossed for our return sailing this Saturday. We don't want to be away too long, Marge might miss us.

Devizes

It's three weeks since we returned from France. After spending last week decorating our bedroom, we decided it was time for a night away in Marge. We've had some bad news to cope with over the last couple of weeks and decided Marge was just the tonic we needed to perk us up, so we headed back to Devizes, a couple of hours drive from us. A Chinese takeaway and some cycling were our treat.

This morning the weather dry and bright, we saddled up and cycled out on our Brompton bicycles alongside the kennet and avon canal. A sharp, clear blue autumnal sky lit the carpet of gold under our wheels. Canal boats basked in the morning light and a family of swans glided by. It was a perfect autumn day. We have not cycled since returning from our cycling trip to Switzerland, so today we would find out if we had retained the fitness level we achieved whilst cycling the euro velo 6. Our ride took us downhill past the Caen locks flight, 29 locks which rise over 237 feet with a 1 in 44 gradient. A gentle yawning wind blew leaves from the trees as we passed under them. The fine weather had brought people out, boaters and walkers alike.

After an hour and a half cycling over a rough path on a small wheeled bicycle we sat by a lock to eat lunch. We felt we could cycle further, but that would have to wait until another day. There was the small matter of cycling up the 1 in 44 gradient alongside the locks. See you at the top! First one there buys the ice creams at the cafe. We're pleased to say we are still fit. We both made it and yes, the ice-cream was delish. Back at Marge the car park suddenly became a hive of activity as two canal boats arrived on low loaders. We watched as they were craned into the water, swiftly and efficiently.

O.K. Marge. Home now. Hopefully if the weather holds, we'll manage another night out in you soon. 

For our grandson Elliot coming this weekend for a Halloween party!

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.