Day 1 complete

Well day 1 is almost complete. I say almost as we are on the ferry and there is still 1.5 miles to ride to the hotel in Calais. 13 of us started the day. Paul, myself, Chris Vaughan, Matt, Nick and Ella Beven as well as Jill Jamieson, Kolya Magyar,Scott Sunderman, Alex Pecorari and his mum Denise Peet. Then Oscar Geen (my nephew) and Harry Wrigley his friend.  

It was an eventful day to say the least. After a very early start from St Paul's we made good time despite the copious traffic lights in London. A quick loo stop in Gravesend then we moved on to Rochester for an iced bun and coffee (mostly to silence all those complaining about the start hour and lack of breakfast)

Then onwards through Faversham to a welcome stop for lunch at the White Lion in Selling after 64 miles. They were expecting us and had provided fabulous trays of Sandwiches and chips with locally sourced sausages. Just what we all needed to restore the flagging cyclists. Not only were they expecting us but were also prepared to open early to keep us fed. Superb hospitality and service. They are heartily recommended. 

From Selling Oscar left us to head back to Saffron Walden and Scott decided to save his legs for the rest of the week and ride with Sarah and Louisa to Dover. 

So onwards rode the 11 of us though beautiful Kent countryside and then finally emerging at Dover castle before dropping down to the port. That's where the adventure really began... 

While I tried to persuade P&O that we really had paid the bill for 10 cyclists to cross to France a phone call from Chruc my sister (and support driver) to tell us there was black smoke billowing out of the car was not welcome news. Police cars with blue lights and two tones attended to understand why two women were chucking bags out of the car randomly. 

With some investigation no particular cause was established and the smoke stopped. The only sensible thing to so was done. Drive onto the ferry to France. Luckily this actually meant a ferry leaving an hour earlier than that planned so we then also persuaded them to allow us cyclists to board with our bikes also. So here we are now on the ferry. Now able to laugh about the very near disaster and second landy nightmare of the week. Don't even think about asking what the third one will be. 

So this is how the young youthful and energetic riders are now feeling..

While us older Wrinklies enjoy a quick shandy and laugh about the events if day 1.

Here are some other pics from our first day. 

Now we have just to persuade the madam at the hotel in Calais that we really should be allowed to keep our bikes safe inside and not leave them to the Calais nightlife. 

Roll on day 2. Please say a prayer for the Landy tonight I fear we may need it