Day 28 – 1/8/2016

Left campsite at 9am and paid for last night, then cycled through the marshes that I like as it means flat roads, followed Euro Route 4. I’ve come to the conclusion that anything over 20 miles a day is ok. There is no point on just racking up the miles if your not seeing anything and not having a good time. What is the point of doing a Mark Beaumont and going around the world, missing half of it out and cycling from dawn till dusk. Stopped in the afternoon to buy food including dog food for Pippa, the plan was to feed her the same food that I was eating but I’ve developed a cycling tourist appetite, that means my saucepan are just about big enough for me. I tried tieing Pippa to the handle bars on the flat and she can pull me as I ride but the leash was not long enough and I had to keep hitting the brakes so as no to run her over. I camped at Fort Mahon which was an expensive campsite but I was tired 45 km today. This campsite had squat and drop toilets, I feel I am in France now.

Day 29

Rest day

Wet day, rain and wind, decided that it would not be fun cycling so stayed in. Went for a walk into town, found cash machine and market, saw a few other Bichons and I think Pippa needs a bath. In the tent I have to arrange things as Pippa has to stay in the vestibule when she is wet and she needs a place.

Day 30

Another rest day.

Very heavy rain last night and this morning, I’ve discovered the hydrostatic head of my tent is not quite good enough. It is not that I am a fare weather cyclist, it is I get no pleasure cycling in the rain and I have no time limit e.g. visa or work to get back to.

Day 31

Dry day so struck camp and left with the wind behind me, took a detour into Berck and a break on the beach then off to Le Touquet, another big detour off the direct route. North of the river estuary I found a campsite and as weather was good for the next few days I booked in for 2 nights as I need a good clean, my clothes need washing and Pippa needs a bath. In the toilet block I tried to spend as long shaving as I could to charge my tablet, then showered. I feel comfortable standing up wind of people now. I then washed my clothes and I think I need to buy some cleaning products as the best thing I had to wash them in was Pippas shampoo, I will smell of dog now, but a clean dog. While cycling I saw my first snake on this trip. My total distance today was 50 km cycled.

 

Day 32 – Friday 5/8/2016

Went for a walk to the local supermarket then gave Pippa a bath. Went to the bar for a beer and try and use the inter-web but very slow, as I was returning my glass I heard dog screaming from outside, Pippa was tied to my chair and decided to follow me, only the chair was chassing her.

Day 33

Left the site at Ettables about 1030 and followed the D940 into Bolounge. Camped just before Wimereux. Today I realised that my bum had broken in my heavy Brookes saddle, from now on it will only get better. Cycled 33 km today.

Day 34

Stopped in Wimereux to use the cash machine again then pushed the bike up the hill out of town. Stopped at Cap Griz Nez beach to have lunch. About 1 km south of Wissant I stopped to wild camp down the side of a corn field as I still had just over 2 litres of water left. 28 km cycled today.

Day 35

Struck camp and cycled to Wissant then a 1 km push up hill, nice down hill to Escalles then another very steep hill with hairpin bends with lots of pushing breaks, even Lance Armstrong on a heavy drugs day would not have been able to cycle my set up, up that hill. Then downhill to Sangatte, I looked for the jungle but it must have been further back from the coast road I was on. In Calais I looked for a book/map shop but the French do not open shops on Mondays if they are open on Saturdays, except bread shops and tobbaco shops. Stayed at campsite in Les Hemmes and had a drink in the bar and a smoke as well. 42 km cycled today.

35 days, 748km and a ferry and I’m only 50 miles and an hour ferry ride from where I started.

Day 36 – Tuesday 9/8/2016

I had a late start and planned on reaching Dunkirk but had some rests during the day so decided to wild camp so I could get an early start in Dunkirk. Set up the hammock for the first time, had it low so I could use it as a chair as well. Very comfortable but at about midnight I had to get my sleeping mat out as my back was cold. Today only 27 km.

Day 37

Rained slightly at night but lucky I had my tarp set up. Half way to Dunkirk it started to rain so I took shelter for an hour then doned my waterproofs, Sun came out as I arrived in Dunkirk so removed them, then it started raining again so put them on again. I think the last member of my family to go to Dunkirk was great uncle Mick, but he made a quick exit in June 1940, and I family tradition I made a quick exit as well but my reason was the rain. At the campsite I pitched camp in the rain and fell asleep at about noon, only to wake boiling hot as the Sun was out at 3pm. Sowed Pippas pillow again as well as my saddle cover. Today only 20 km cycled.

Day 38

Rest day

It was raining in the morning, went shopping in town and slept from 1pm to 6 pm.