816km so far.

There is probably some comparison about just how far that is - something like the queue on the A3 towards Guildford each night. To us though, it’s pretty far. Whilst the profile seems to point to just downhill, this has been no release the brakes and coast down escapade, made even more tiring by the weight of the bikes. This incidentally has been gently growing due to my eternal fascination with the French Hypermarche and purchasing just one further item that will allegedly make our touring lives more complete.

What have we learnt in the past 17 days?

1) Don’t follow guide books slavishly, especially the ones that seem to imply that 100km per day is achievable. It simply isn’t- not only due to the weight of the bikes, but also because you won’t actually get to enjoy the countryside as it blurs past you. 50 - 60Km is a much more realistic length that allows you to have enough time at the beginning, middle and end of the day without feeling that you have just been pummelled by a Czechoslovakian shot putter’s masseuse.

2) Don’t rely heavily on every French or German village having some idyllic little cafe. In fact the majority don’t, and even if they have it’s closed because they are on holiday, a Sunday or some public holiday you knew nothing about. If you want a book or some eclectic garden ornament then no problem. Paying for these services is also a breeze with the open banks. Un cafe au lait or a milkaffe though? Forget it…...

3) Condensation on the inside of tents in wind can make it seem like it’s raining inside the tent. Don’t worry about this, and just go back to sleep. Your body is quite waterproof.

4) Don’t buy cheap charging leads from Ebay. They break despite having a perfectly normal outward appearance. That smug feeling of just paying 2 quid is soon wiped off your face.

5) If the office of a campsite says that it will open at 3, then it won’t. Might be half past. You don’t know. Sit and wait, and glare at anyone else that turns up that you might think is jumping the queue.

6) Don’t look too intently at weather forecasts. There ain't anything you can do about the rain!

7) Most importantly, relax and flow with the world, rather than against it.

So the rest of the blog is just some photos that I think sum up our trip so far. No captions needed, no particular order and apologies if the photos are a repeat.

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