Castle to Castle (London to Budapest)
Blog 2
Fri 12th
So this day found us in a mad rush to get everything
ready. It also found Zoltan at the Hungarian embassy waiting for his emergency
passport. A story still too raw to go into suffice to say Zoltan and I are still
friends. So having packed and had a couple of good luck drinks at the
Brownswood, we were set.
Sat 13th
Time cycling - 8 hours. Distance - 160kmAfter three hours sleep apiece we left The Castle at 5am. Cycling for the first time with fully loaded panniers, something that took a little getting used to. I think I can say for both of us that we were both excited but also apprehensive, the full scale of what we had undertaken running through our minds.
Following our planned route out of London we made steady progress and were soon nearing Dover. It did however prove to be a hard day for both of us, both hot and long. We did however make it to our ferry in time and lying on the sunny deck and sleeping for a couple hours was reward enough.
Getting off the ferry at Dunkirk, a first oversight began
to become apparent. We had not really paid much attention to navigation,
relying on some very vague printed Google maps. So getting into the centre of
Dunkirk proved tricky. And therefore the only two campsites that we made it to.
We ended the first night wearing all our clothes sleeping rough on the beach,
too tired to bother with tents. Our first and second lessons all in one day...
1. Have some form of navigation!
2. Have a rough idea of where you will sleep, or better a
solid booking.
Sunday 14th
Time cycling - 8 hours. Distance - 150kmWe awoke to a beautiful sunrise having had three very cold hours sleep. So 6 hours in two days and only 150km to cycle today!
(Zoltan tells me I'm putting a negative spin on this trip, please don't get me wrong we are LOVING it.)
We dragged ourselves off the beach, packed up and I
realised I had lost my wallet. Shit.
Incredibly cycling back to the previous days unfriendly
campsite we got my wallet back. No sweat.
So our first full on day of cycling. We thought this was
going to be an easy day. It was hard and hot and we got lost quite a lot. Yet
sitting in our hostel washed, fed and talced up we both agree that we have
enjoyed it and achieved something.
About today we wanted to mention the glittery sun cream
given to me by my friends from the café and The incredibly bad French road signs
which led us round in circles. We have seen some beautiful countryside and
thoroughly enjoyed the day. Signing off now as we have an early start. We will
write when we can.
Peace out Zoltan and Jack
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