Cold n Rain

Hello pps

I have made it to the coast. I am staying in a town called Mimizan for a day as its raining and have made good progress so thought a rest day was in order. I met a fellow tourer who I chatted to a bit this morning he was called Brian and had all the best kit that I couldnt afford. I think I should have stole his bike!

I made a clever move by bringing a waterproof that wasnt waterproof so have been really cold today because everything is wet.

So apart from three punctures on the same day the road has been fairly forgiving. The hills the first few days were like hell and I really felt like I was mad having a bike with only one gear! But as I moved forwards it flattened out and now its like an ice rink, its so flat here in the south west! I made it to the sea today and have been on the beach. Its a shame it isnt warmer as it would be really nice to be here when it is hot and dry.

Not many people speak english so I have been a bit lonely but I have quite enjoyed cycling because it seems to have evened out my thoughts a little. Life in England had not been going well since my girlfriend and I split up and I wasnt getting on well with my mum who I was staying with, so really its been an eye opener coming away because I have had knowone there to lean on or get angry at and just my thoughts to keep me company.

I only stayed in Bordauex a few hours I felt like it was to busy! The vineyards around the city are really pretty and made a change from the endless wheat fields I had seen before. They have so many wheat fields here it seems impossible they could use it all up!

I hope the weather improves soon! Will message in a few days

Carl

The Invisible Blog

Hey pps

I have been on the road for a week nearly and this is the first internet cafe I have come to. They have not invented internet in france it seems! I am down in Bordeaux and the keyboard is set up all wrong so cant really type much.. Everything is going OK though I am pretty lonely on the road. I have taken some photos and am going to put the best ones up here once I have some proper time! I have been covering about 80-100kms a day and mostly camping by the side of the road in bushes. Living off of choc quassants and self made sandwiches but still spending more money than planned! The first few days were hellishly hilly but now its alot flatter and much easier going so my mood has lifted somewhat. I got really lost trying to cross the river into Bordeaux then I met this nice french cycling man called Phillip who guided me all the way to the centre of the city. He droped me off at the tourist information how very nice!

Will write properly soon as I can

Carl

Packed n Not READY!

It seems like an endless list of little things I need to do or remember to do before I go. My ferry leaves on Friday morning at 7am so am going to sleep rough for a few hours in Portsmouth because the closest train I can get arrives at Portsmouth at midnight! Some people have asked me 'why are you not cycling to Portsmouth?' The reason is because if I didn't enjoy the cycle down to Portsmouth I might get frightened and come home. If I get the train down to the ferry I will be stuck in France once I realise how much I hate cycling and it will be to late to chicken out and go home! So it really is the best plan.

Here is a photo of my bike all packed up and ready to go. You can click on it to zoom in!

I still have boring jobs to do like fit some part on my bike to keep the chain tight and change some pounds into euros, but mostly everything is done now.

My next blog will be once I am out in the thick of it so wish me luck.

Carl

The Loire Valley

Am looking around trying to find some interesting things to do on my trip. I am planning to make a short stop in the Loire Valley which happens to be on the way and seems to be in all the tourist type books. They say it is the 'Garden of France', so should be low crime and no drug dealers. Might even do a tour around one of these Châteaux things, it would be really cool to be a real person interacting with the world, I can't wait!

Check out the Wiki..

Loire Valley Wiki

Am leaving work at the end of next week then will have a week to pack and get ready. I feel settled here in London with my job and have met some really cool people. I am a bit frightened about leaving and riding off into the unknown! I guess it's normal to feel like this when your life is going to change?

Carl