DAY 4
Left my B&B in Lavilletertre and headed towards Marines. My excellent nights rest and breakfast only cost just over £24 – this was a bargain and also in a very beautiful house. I had a lovely French breakfast around 7.30 and by the time I packed the bike it was 0830 which meant I had 6.5 hours to reach the Eiffel Tower.
Fortunately the weather was cool and no sign of the thunderstorm, howling gale force wind, and torrential rain from the night before. Forgot to mention over the course of the trip so far I have managed to snap my flag pole on several occasions. I am still showing my Nemo at the top, the Scottish Flag and the pirate flag. Many people shout Ecosse when I pass and make the OK sign – I think they are being friendly.
I have also noticed that many Ladies (of varying and all ages) flash their …………………………… wait for it --- car headlights as I pass, smile and wave to me. Could it be that after the cycling so far I have lost so much weight, look many years younger that to them I am an Adonis?? In looking in the mirror I am guessing they are taking pity on a mad old man, on an odd looking bike who needs encouragement as he looks as if he is going to collapse in the next few miles – probably a better assessment.
Eventually reached Marines which is a lovely and what appears to be a bustling French Village – again I attracted many strange looks but many more shouts of safe journey, good luck and smiles from many of the population.
Somewhere around Boisemont I got lost – entirely my fault. I did not read Donald Hirsch’s instructions in enough detail and by the time I realised where I should be it was too late to turn back. (anyone who knows me is aware of my dodgy ability to navigate).
I saw signs for Paris and this is when I was on the D22 so I just kept going following Paris signs. This road, and subsequent roads were arterial roads into PARIS and as such extremely busy. Once again I would like to thank every French driver who passed me for their courteous driving manner, friendly waves and shouts of encouragement – it made cycling on a bust road a great experience.
When I first saw the top of the Eiffel Tower in the distance - I stopped to take a photograph – once again the curse of the Modern Technology disasters on my trip kicked in – the phone battery was flat. Have not charged the phone using the Solar charging system as the sunshine was non existent and I could not leave it on bike to charge as the rain would have long since killed it.
As I was short of time, I did not stop for any food or to buy more water – the water ran out after about 2 hours and then the sun was getting hotter. I was very dehydrated and my mouth was so dry it was not real. Obviously I was getting weaker and slowing down. Eventually reached ET at 1440 which meant I cycled at an average of 9.17 mph (checked on gmaps Pedometer when I got home).
I was just about all in, but very pleased I had managed the cycle in difficult conditions, on a bike that was not user friendly on hills and in wind, was loaded with loads of kit and therefore was very heavy. No major problems with bike and I felt pretty good as well – a little bit sore and stiff and my bum was starting to ache.
Phone still flat so not able to take any pictures in Paris. Not enough time to cycle to railway station to catch train home. Found a garage at 1515 and just left bike, grabbed a passing taxi and asked if he could get me to station quickly – this was about 1530
This meant I now had less than 30 minutes to get to the station, find the correct platform and get on train!!! The distance is about 4 miles but through the centre of Paris. My driver was absolutely brilliant and drove like a maniac through the streets and got me to the station at around 1556. I rushed in to the station, found the destination board only to see my train come off the board – I had missed it by about 4 minutes.
Found ticket office who, for another £10 booked me on to the next train 1 hour later. Sat down and had 3 large scoops of Ice Cream – pure heaven also another glass or two of red wine.
Train journey was very fast, comfortable and train was clean. Near to end of journey this guy came up and asked me about station (Calais) and was I going to same place. When I said yes he sat at my table and started to talk. He was from Iraq and had come through Turkey, Greece, Spain and now in France on way to UK. When we got off I organised a taxi and he joined me. He said he was on his way to Birmingham to see his brother.
As we got near to where taxi was dropping me off he became agitated and with his limited was saying no – did not want to go. When we stopped at the departure lounge to get out – he told me had no passport and was going back to gate with Taxi driver. I wonder why people will walk through several countries to reach the UK – guess we are too soft and I am certain he will get in without too much difficulty. I did not report him for several reasons (i) would not be able to describe him too well (ii) did not know name or registration number of taxi (iii) he will reach the UK anyway as he had a huge list of telephone numbers that I assume were contacts.
Ferry crossing was fine and eventually was reunited with Vanessa at Dover so we could drive on to ferry and go back to France for a 2 week holiday.
More photos will be added tonight and will write some more soon..Take care and stay safe.
