It's been pretty bumpy so far (I guess I should have expected this), with some very good moments and some very bad moments. I'm calling this 'teething' for now, and I'm hoping the ratio of good to bad moments improves as I get used to various things, like being dirty, not knowing where I'll be sleeping an hour before sundown, not knowing where I am and being wet.
Right now I'm in a field on top of a hill, slightly west of Cherbourg (in Normandy, France), which is where my ferry from Poole (UK) landed yesterday. It's the first morning where I've woken up in my tent and it hasn't been raining, but don't worry, everything is still wet because it rained all through the night!
The best moments so far have been cycling when the weather is good, through beautiful countryside, and eating carbs (aka fuel), mainly in the form of flapjacks and pasta.
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The worst moments have been rushing to reach the ferry on time with my body broken after the first day of cycling, and at one point, having to pedal while riding downhill, due to storm-winds and rain blowing in my face, in the opposite direction. It was shortly after this specific situation that I decided I was going to have a comfortable night and ducked into the first guest house I found, which was in Manston village (about two thirds of the way from Bristol to the south coast). Some might say I negotiated the price, but I wasn't even trying. The owner, Justin, dropped it from £65 to £20 out of pity I think, and even let me have breakfast in the morning.
The next day I managed to limp my bike to Poole (pushing it up most of the hills) and made it on to the ferry.
So now I'm in my tent, writing this and giving my legs a rest. I've got food and just about enough water for one day, so assuming no angry French farmer comes to kick me off their land, I might try and stay another night here.
After that, my plan is to head down the peninsular and either find a sign-posted route south, or follow the coast, heading towards Spain and hopefully better weather!
Here are some other photos I took (me leaving home, an abandoned railway near Frome, my first wild camping spot and a hilltop view):
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If you think I should write more about something in particular, or you want to be another person telling me I'm mad, please let me know.
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