Last night, with a little help from my neighbour John I reverse my bike into my little green shed for an easy exit in the morning.
My new Held bag is packed and attached to the bike sent with Rok straps. I’m really hoping this might be THE bag! Over the years I have spent a small fortune on bike luggage and it’s never been quiet right. This bag could do with an outside pocket but other than that I think it’s pretty good: waterproof, roll-top along the length, handles and shoulder straps, good ring fittings and at 30l the right size…in the past I’ve had a tendency go for larger bags, but not needed now I have top box for waterproofs.
I wake up about 4 times in the night, my brain is obviously worried I’m going to sleep through the 5.45am alarm… But I don’t and I leave bang on time at 6.30am.
Those of you who know me will know what an achievement that is!
It’s a lovely ride down. Traffic gets heavy around Chichester, but not a problem on a bike.
I get to check in a 8.04. which is perfect timing as within 5 minutes I am waved straight on board- there’s none of that waiting around in a second queue like you get in the St Malo overnight crossing
I’m the first on board, I hope that doesn’t mean I’ll be the last off!
What it does mean is that I have my choice of seats :0) so nab one at the front,giving me leg room and a view, but even more importantly it’s next to a plug, so no need to worry about my phone charge…sorted!
The boat leaves Portsmouth at 9am, it’s a 3 hour crossing to Cherbourg, so with the hour time difference we will arrive at 1pm.
I tuck into the ham and cheese rolls, that I’d prepared earlier, with just the small thought in the back of my head that I am turning into my Mum! I’m not even going to try and justify them, OK well maybe a little, I’d hate for you to get the wrong impression – the food on this ship consists of overpriced pain au chocolat and expensive sandwiches in flavours I just don’t like…so there! But don’t worry, I plan to make up for it in overindulging in french lunches over the next two weeks!
The crossing is over in a relatively quick time.
When I head downstairs this beautiful car is parked next to my bike.
As I thought the ride to Caro was fairly boring- motorway all the way to Avalanches, including a long stretch with only one lane and a 70km speed limit.
From Dinad onward I picked up the normal route I’d take when I’m coming from St Malo.
My petrol light comes on, but the clock says I have 50 miles left in the tank so decide to push onto Ploermel – it’s the first 200 miles on one tank I’ve ever ridden!
I get to the house just before 5pm, and after scurrying around: opening shutters, getting garden furniture out and unpacking my bags and head back out on the bike back up to Ploermel to get the groceries.
I’m determined not to go as mad as I usually do with food shopping when I first get here and I do manage to restrain myself.
Back at the house and my Tiger is happy to be in the French garage.
We are lucky enough that our neighbour mows our lawn for us. Its not a small job! And I don’t know how he does it, but it always seems to have been cut when I arrive. Can’t wait to crash out on the loungers!
Fresh Prawns for tea…Yummy!
A little later and I get a lovely suprise text from my friend Sara who lives in Le Mans, asking if I’ve arrived and could she stay the night, as she is heading to sell her ceramics at market tomorrow. The answer is a big Yes!
So after a little more scurrying – I wasn’t expecting visitors and had dumped most if my stuff- those of you who have toured with me will know what this means :0), Sara arrives and wr enjoy a pleasant evening chatting and drinking wine.
Bikerbunny's Adventures 