Wednesday 3rd September 2014 - Up early, had some scrambled egg and toast and went up outside on the top of the ship to watch as we came into Cherbourg port.
11.30am and down to the car deck, repacked my stuff and then decided to wait until the millions of campers and caravans went off the boat, before getting on my way. I didn't want to be responsible for holding them all up on the road out of Cherbourg!
At the passport hut, I saw some other cyclists. They had left the boat before me and one was wheeling two bicycles off. Then a few minutes later, a lost looking cyclist was wandering around. I asked if he'd lost his bike and that the others had left with it, so he went on to catch them up.
I stoped and showed my passport, while the French policeman looked at me, then my passport, then at me, then my passport.... he did let me into the country thankfully.
I pulled over to chat to the guys, as they'd been there all the time I was in the queue. Apparently one of the guys left his passport in their backup car, still on the ship, so had to run back to get it.
Turns out there were eight of them from Belfast. They had also cycled down to Rosslare and were planning on cycling to Paris. None of them were cyclists, but they were doing about 70miles a day and seemed to be enjoying it. They were doing it in aid of a Northern Ireland Cancer charity, to raise money and remember their friend who had died of cancer last year. They were young fellas in their early twentys. I wished them luck and reminded them (and myself) to cycle on the right hand side of the road.
So, imagine the perfect cycling day....blue sky, sunshine, warm air, cool breeze in the shade, green fields, rolling hills, trees, rivers, zipping through the countryside on two wheels. That's what the next couple of hours was like. It was bliss. Corn fields, big stone French farmhouses with French shutters and perfect French gardens, cows, probably also French, chilling in their sunny fields, ahhh it was lovely.
It was hot. I also saw my first EuroVelo sign.
I stopped at a little picnic area in a wee village beside a small river. I was down to half a bottle of water and needed to eat something. The free popcorn from Rosslare hit the spot. They were yummy, Lemon's Sour Cream and Black Pepper yum, I'll be getting them again when I'm home.
Just as I was getting ready to go I saw the Belfast boys pass, in the opposite direction toward Cherbourg. Hmm...I'm not sure if they were lost.
On I went thinking I'll just stop and get water at the next place I see. I didn't pass anywhere or any houses and had a steep climb for 40 minutes in the blazing sun.
Quick look at map and I thought another 10km to a petrol station, I'll stop there.
Got there and thought its not that far to the campsite, I'll just keep going. Going on a busy wide road with no shade. Things aren't going so great when you enjoy licking the sweat off your own face for the salt.
Anyway I hit the coast. Strong wind coming off the sea, but it was nice. Made the campsite at 4pm.
No shops around, but they had a takeaway pizza bar opening at 6pm and a small convenience store. Score!
Tent up, lay down for a snooze, then up to get fooooood.
Ham & mushroom pizza and two tins of beer for dinner. However, shockingly, I couldnt eat all the pizza and left half a tin of beer. Seriously what is the matter with me??? Well that's breakfast sorted anyway!!
Day 5 - 03.09.14
Cherbourg to Saint Hubert
11.30am to 4.00pm
3hrs 23min cycling
50km
1441 calories
643 asc
632 des
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