What can I say - wish I could say the day started well but it did not. Alarm set for 0115 - Vanessa woke me at 0335 and said we had slept in. Mad rush downstairs to get ready - thankfully I had packed car and bike the night before so it was not a lot of time. Phoned my friend Noel to say I was on my way.
Noel had tried to phone but we had not heard it - he had just went back to bed when I had phoned. Drove to London and as we got near set the Sat Nav for Wimbledon - it would not work irrespective of what I tried to do. Well at least we had some idea of the location and with a few asked directions we arrived at Wimbledon common. Lifted bike off car loaded the bags and then the stuff all fell out. Spent a few more minutes picking everything up.
It is now 0715 and I am 2 hours behind schedule. Never mind it is still possible!!
Set the GPS to the route to Newhaven and set off, no time to take photographs as time was of the essence. First 3 waypoints were excellent and GPS easy to follow - and then the GPS packed up - put in new batteries no difference. I had not taken paper copy of the route (silly me). Headed off and asked directions of a couple of people and then realised they were directing me to Portsmouth which was not much help - arrived back at Wimbledon common at 0820 and then set off in the direction I though best. Asked some more people and they eventually directed me towards roads that would lead to A23 direct to Brighton. My cycle computer also stopped working so no idea of speed or distance.
The road was very busy but I could not afford to change route as no maps and no time. It was very hot and my legs were starting to burn. Many motorists would come up close behind me and toot their horn to hopefully knock me off the bike or something - some had young children who would shout abuse out the window. Guess this is how many people get their kicks - some did wave as they passed but were outnumbered by the nutters.
Eventually reached Brighton and my very good friend Mike was there with his Bike to cycle with me to Newhaven. It was great to see him again and I do not think I would have made it to Newhaven without his help - on some of the hills he helped me getting the bike up the hill. We reached Newhaven about 1745, so it took me around 9 hours to cycle around 75 miles (this included stops, toilet, meal etc) so I was very pleased with this. Bike was very heavy with two bags, tent, sleeping bag etc.
At Newhaven Mikes wife Claire had ordered a very welcome pint of Lager - great to see Claire and the lager was excellent. After lager we went to terminal and I got on ferry in time for the 1830 sailing. had not seen Mike and Claire for many years but it is so good to meet old friends. Claire had recently run for charity and mike was
Day was very hard, the weather was exceptionally hot and I spent the day pushing hard to try and catch up the time lost. On reflection I think I pushed too hard at the beginning and suffered for it at the end.
Sail to Dieppe was without event and had a glass of red wine to pass the time and some food. Got off and the sky was dark, thunder and lighting and started to head towrards the camp site. Stopped by a policeman who did not speak English but I managed to understand he was not happy with my flashing light. Showed him on my French map (took that with me) that I was going to camp just outside Dieppe but he made it clear that I was not to go any further. Found a hotel and spent night on a nice bed rather than in tent - good move.
More to follow.
Take care and stay safe
