Day 2 - Calais to Cambrai

After Hello all, it's almost midnight on our second night away. I am remembering how little time there is for anything outside of sleeping, eating and cycling on these trips! 

We made it to the hotel in Calais where we had to negotiate this week to get our bikes stored in side after the 'Directorice' told us rooms were a no go for bikes. E with the help of Thierry in our office managed to persuade them to allow them in if bagged. So.. 10 CTC bike bags later and we pitched up at the hotel for a fight only to walk straight in bikes and all. Not an eyelid was batted or in typical French fashion a finger wagged. 

The bikes were safe from a night in a Calais car park. I took this picture and did contemplate sending it to Madame Dirextrixe... 

So after a fair amount of faffing we set off amid cloudy sky's and after a good breakfast at the Ibis next door.

The first few miles followed irrigation canals and served as a good recovery for those with legs stiff from Dover. Before we knew it 20 miles were done and it was time for a nice coffee in a village Tabac. I love these places, no matter what time you appear there is always a farmer or friends propping up the bar with a pint of beer or red wine. 

I needed a stiff drink as today was not only the first time that I rode my bike on wet roads but also the first time across mud. The others could almost hear the screams across the village..! Look at the state of it..

Don't worry all it will be clean by morning. I have set the alarm early to get up and clean!! 

Then it was just beautiful day. Put remembering why I love to ride in France so much. Empty roads with good surface, no pot holes and respect from drivers. Heaven... 

There were of course a couple of minor issues today. The least of which was Matts bike. His tyre wall blew out and Despite attempts to put a new tyre I. His wheel rim at lunch we had to admit defeat (first time ever) it didn't fit... So a short term measure of borrowing the wheel from JP's bike which we are transporting to Annecy meant Matt could continue after all. Phew! 

Tacye and Chruc made a fabulous lunch under the boughs of a large tree in the churchyard of a village we drove through before sending us on our way. 

The we were on to the outskirts of Cambrai to visit the war memorial where my Great grandfather is remembered. Chruc and I paid our respects before heading into Cambrai Then into the Campanile Hotel where we watched a fireworks display being shown in the village. 

(Photos another day when I can work out how to get them off Chrucs phone without wifi and data roaming. 

Number of fires in they land rover today  =0