Exiting my tent I was disappointed to find the outside of my tent wet with condensation, also my Helinox camping chair was wet as well as the panniers on my Surly Troll.
I knew I’d have to pack everything away wet as the Sun was not yet up and therefore nothing would dry before I started cycling. It’s okay I thought as about midday I’ll take a break and air the tent and chair in the midday sun.
In the distance I could see not mountains but definitely hills. And I knew I would be cycling up and over them. I took a break to pick and eat blackberries from the side of the road. Immediately after eating them I feel energised and healthy.
The Sun shines down strong as I cycle uphill and so I stop to take my T-shirt off. Feeling the Sun against my skin my vitamin D power banks start to charge. It’s fun letting gravity take me down the other side of the hills as I hold onto the brakes sometimes slowing my bike as so I don’t go too fast.
Finally midday arrives and I take a break. I remove my tent and camping chair from my pannier bags and unpack them to dry in the Sun. In the meantime I brew myself a coffee and eat French pastries.
These are not the first pastries I’ve eaten today… earlier on I found a boulangerie and stopped to drink coffee and eat an apple tart which the proprietor had made herself.
After the tent was dry and I finished my coffee I continue to cycle. I’d already covered 30 miles when I passed through small town called Flers. I stopped and found a bike shop. Earlier I had broke my bottle holder so I brought a new one.
Before leaving the town I went to a supermarket and bought red wine, unfortunately I couldn’t buy any French red wine as they were all corked bottles and I currently do not have a corkscrew. So I had to buy wine from Chilli. I also brought some Belgian chocolate but was disappointed that I ate the whole bar which was 180 grams.
The calories from the chocolate gave me enough energy to push through to 50 miles where I found a nice campsite which cost me €4. I took a shower leaving me feeling refreshed. I’ve prepared a camping meal, set up my tent and drank a glass or should I say a cup of the red wine. I spoke to my friend Dene and my mother and text my father. It’s been a good day.