The first few days...

Friday was busy as anything, and I wasn't entirely sure i would be ready on time! It all happened this way because the day before, I had everything on the bike to go for a test ride, since I wanted to make sure I would be able to keep the bike upright fully loaded. But when I hit the ignition, nothing happened. I had just finished using my air pump to pump the tires up to two-up pressures, and now this happened. I called the AA, who came out and said I needed a new battery, but he didn't have one so i would need to go to a garage. He gave me a jump start and I went to y normal mechanics in the City, all the while very conscious that if I stalled it, I wouldn't get it started again. Turns out it was the alternator not charging the battery properly. Someone had replaced it, but not done it properly, there were even wires disconnected. The machanic said that he had noticed it, but as the part looked so new, he didn't want to stuff with it, thinking I had done it. And because of this, I was unable to move my stuff to storage that day, which was the plan, and it was all stuffed into the next day.
       And that was all before I had even left.

I finally did get going at 1930, having said goodbye to everyone (some 3 times, Ashleigh). Off to Portsmouth with me to catch the 2300 ferry to Le Havre. The ride itself was a bit harrowing. The back end was so heavy, that the front would wobble. At times a lot. So there were quite a few white-knuckled, butt-clenching moments. Not even counting the truck that tried to run me off the road.
      A good start huh?

      The ferry itself was suprisingly good. Comfortable as anything, and a smooth ride too. My earplugs did help to keep the engine noise out though.

A pretty bum steer from the SatNav

      In the morning, we arrived in Le Havre at 0800 to a gorgeous day. It couldn't have been any nicer. 21 degrees, sun shining. Now that I had stiffened the rear shocks, the bike rode like it used to. I was back in my groove! The french drive very civilised, on great roads, and there aren't that many of them either! 220 miles, and 7 hours (I ride very slowly with plenty of breaks) later, I was in the Loire Valley have a coke at Elaine's house. She very kindly put me up for the night, when her guests offered (she had the whole family there). Some wine tasting later (courtesy of Steve), it was a wonderful evening.

The Loire River

One of the pretty villages.

         This morning it was a different story. It was raining and cold. not nearly as much fun. Today was about making as much distance as possible in the direction of Marseille. Unfortunately the SatNav decided that the fastest way was down lots of little streets, some hardly paved anymore, and barely able to fit me and car to go past. I expected to come across this, but not so soon! I was hoping to be able to warm up to it. The bonus of doing this was that I saw places that I would not have seen. Very cute villages, people and cows looking at me strabgely as though people don't often ride through there.Couldn't think why. I think the average age is 75 in  some of these places... I even came around one corner and there was a family of domestic goats by the road. Luckily it was a very slow corner, as most were today. I also had to deal with a suicidal bunny. He ran across the road, was safe there, then decided to come back right in front of me! On the plus side, that could have been dinner.... I ended up doing 270miles today, with an average speed of 47km/hr. Far too much, very slowly. I had do alot of shifting in my seat to keep the pain away, even the gel seat didn't help much. But standing helped.... It will be a shorter ride to Marseille tomorrow. Thankfully.

Campsite view. Half a lake.

My first Campsite

I am now somewhere in the mountains, maybe the Pyranees?? I'm not sure. but in the vicinity of Touluck. According to SatNav. I have set up camp, cooked dinner, and about to turn in for the night. I think it's gonna be cold too.... It only got to 15 degrees today...  

Trying to cook, without freezing! A challange...