Day 4 - Tuesday 19th August

Lumbres- St Pol sur Ternoise, 40 miles, 7 hours

Awful weather sheeting rain and sleet all the way. Started very hilly and then got flatter as they bicycled into the Artois. Their route took them through small villages which was pleasant riding (apart from the horrible weather – and this is August in France!). The problem was that they normally stop at a wayside cafe for a bite to eat but as these were small villages they often had nothing. Being August many were closed for “les vacances”. So they went 30 miles with nothing to eat. Tomorrow they will take bananas with them to overcome this.

Day 3 - Monday 18th August

Calais to Lumbres (Pas de Calais), 30 miles, 7 Hours

Heavy rain and strong wind dogged their ride today. The first few miles in the Pale of Calais was flat. The stopped to have a look at the site of the Field of the Cloth of gold where Sir John Lisle (ancestor) was a courtier to Henry VIII in 1520. Then the hills started again as they bicycled along the old front line of the First world War (Vimy Ridge et al). They were going along small roads and lanes all the way. They saw many cemeteries from both World Wars quietly tucked behind fences and walls. It was a contrast to the beautiful countryside through which they rode.

They are now in Lumbres, still in the Pas de Calais region, staying at an old mill house. Both feeling very chirpy.

Day 2 - Sunday 17th August

Rochester-Dover. 50 miles in 8.5 hours.

Set off this morning in mist and light drizzle but cleared after half an hour. The going was hilly all the way to Dover but no steep climb like yesterday’s up Blackheath Hill. They followed the A2 all the way – this is the old Roman Watling Street and therefore straight as they come. Luckily as it is a Sunday they met few lorries which meant a pleasant enough ride. Also hooray for Kent County Council there was a bicycle lane much of the way.

A cappuccino at Sittingbourne and they a sandwich lunch closer to Canterbury. They aim to have light lunches but giving themselves enough energy for the ride.

Arrived at the ferry through the old ton of Dover which was much nicer than through the new road system most of us now drive on. Crossing was uneventful to Calais. Now safely at their billet. Unfortunately the hotel won’t let them keep the bike indoors so it is outside chained and hopefully under a security camera. Off to dinner at their favourite restaurant on the port.

Day 1 - Saturday 16th August

THEY’RE OFF!!!

The intrepid Gerard and Edith left on their latest odyssey this morning at 9.30 am from Tower Bridge in Central London bound for Jerusalem. Seen off by family and friends – but unfortunately not your intrepid reporter who is recovering from a gallbladder operation.....

They took it easy along the North Downs of Kent, bicycling 40 miles arriving at the historic Chatham Boatyard near Rochester at 5.30 pm having stopped for refreshments along the way. Being East Midlanders they had forgotten how hilly Kent can be – all those chalk downs are quite hard work. They had pleasant weather. No rain and not too warm either. Just as they arrived in Chatham they caught their tyre in a tram rail and had a spill and got some scratches but both seem in very good spirits.

Tomorrow to Calais and La Belle France!