We got up at silly o’clock (5am) to get ready for our ferry crossing to France. Thankfully due to jet lag, this was our natural wake up time anyway. And the sun is up then too.

A coffee, followed by a quick breakfast and we were on our way. It is an 8 km ride from Bournemouth to Poole where the ferry leaves from.

It had been really cold the last few days so I layered up in ALL of my clothes, and 5 minutes later I overheated and whipped them off again.

It was the first time we’d ridden our bikes fully loaded and it was so much harder than I’d remembered. We’ll definitely be taking it slow to start with.

We arrived at the ferry in plenty of time and we’re ushered into a fast queue for check-in. A couple in the car next to us we’re getting agro with the car in front. They kept telling them to hurry up as they were fed up with waiting for them. We couldn’t believe it. As if the car in front could make the check-in process go faster.

The ferry crossing was 4.5 hours and so calm. Thankfully I didn’t need to take a tablet.

We docked in Cherbourg and found our way to the town. We spent an hour there trying to find my cycle gloves. In the main square I emptied all my bags, tried to repack them but now my stuff wouldn’t go back in. Mike started getting grumpy at me so I shoved in in as best I could. Still couldn’t find them dammed gloves, and I’d packed two pairs of them!

It was a long uphill drag out of Cherbourg. I hadn’t realised how cycle unfit I had become. Meanwhile, Mike was zooming away from me.

It was mostly road riding for the day with a fair bit of traffic. The French drivers are very polite and patient though, sometimes sitting behind us for a few minutes before they think it’s safe to overtake.

After 24 kms we found a nice Municipal camp for just 10 Euros a night, close to the beach. We thought we’d prepared so well for our cycle tour. We’ve bought so much stuff, new tent, sleeping bags and mats, chairs even, but we forgot the most important thing. The one thing you’ll never find in French campsites, or quite possibly anywhere in France. That’s right … we forgot the toilet paper. Thankfully the nice man on reception gave us a roll. We now have happy bums!

Mike took a bit of time setting up our new tent while I quickly set up our chairs and sat and watched him. The sun was shining and it was quite warm, I was down to wearing a t- shirt.

We went for a walk and found the Atlantic Ocean. There would be a nice sunset tonight and we decided to walk back to watch it later. We then went in search of a restaurant or shop but there was nothing. So we resorted to a packet pasta which was really disgusting.

We were so tired after dinner we crawled into bed before dark, completely forgetting to capture the sunset.

Goodnight!!