Me and Mauricio.
I woke up early again and Mauricio sorted me out with some super duper breakfast to keep me going for the next 3000km. After some final good buys and photos, I left his house and his killer dog at around 7:15am to catch the train to Poole for the ferry.
After spending the past couple of weeks panicking to arrange so many things, it was only when I saw England from the deck that I started thinking about what I was doing. Looking at the sky, there was an airliner heading somewhere south and I though that it may probable get to Athens before I even get to France. Why did I not choose the more convenient way? That was it though, after the ferry raised its ramps, the only home was to cycle there.
Goodbuy England!
The four hours in the ferry passed by very pleasantly. I watched England disappearing in the horizon and France slowly emerging from the other side. In the meantime, I listened the ‘In-flight French’ mp3 to try and remember some of the basics, in order to survive in the wilds of Europe. I also watched a magician/comedian entertaining the children in the ferry. At some point someone approached me and we started chatting about my cycling plans. Then he said that he cycles as well and also has a company called MuleBar that makes cycling food. So he offered me a power bar, which I am saving for tomorrow morning.
French kid getting ready for the invasion.
And here I go...
I got in Cherbourg at 2:45pm local time and initially I felt a little bit spaced out, without knowing what to do first and where to go. The initial plan was to Cycle to Barfleur as I’ve heard is a very nice village. Then I though, I should better stay in the comforts of the town just for a day, to buy a few things and start getting used to the new country. So first thing I bought a French SIM card, so people like you can call me anytime and ask me how I am doing. The number is +33648572817
I got hungry so I bought half a meter of baguette. Then I couldn’t help my self thinking about my broken charger, so I got into the mission to try and find a new one. That day I cycled about 25km. I even went 10km outside the town, uphill under the hot sun, not to see the scenery but to locate that mega computer store and beg for my fix. They didn’t have it! I got very desperate and hated my self for carrying a computer in such a tour, which was now just a dead brick of weight in my panniers. After visiting 5 different stores, my last attempt was a big supermarket just opposite. And YES they did have it, so I bought it along with some bananas and toilet paper. What a relief! I rolled happily downhill very fast back to the town, aiming for the camp site that I got directions for in the tourist office earlier. I put my tent for the first time and went for some food in the kiosk by the beach. Unfortunately they just stopped serving food and the only thing they could offer me was yet another baguette with cheese and ham, so that what I had for dinner, along with a cold glass of beer.
That’s it… time to get some rest for tomorrow’s longer and more meaningful ride.
My portable home
Sunset by the campsite
