Day Two

Calais to Abbeville. 80 miles(ish)

We woke up at 7am and dragged ourselves out of bed and down to breakfast. Everyone gathered outside the hotel for our briefing, things would be better today as there was no time limits, no ferry to catch or wait around for!

So off we set. Legs took a while to get going and I was a bit worried about the black cloud in the distance. I needn't have worried though, soon the sun came out and we were cycling through beautiful French villages, following streams and tree lined avenues.

There was a water stop at about 23 miles, funnily enough there was a hill first! We soon learnt that Hill = Refreshment!!

So when we approached approx 45 miles and we knew lunch should be soon, we saw a long hill in front of us. So heads down, a*ses up, we ploughed up the hill, not stopping to walk and congratulated ourselves heartily at the top. then we passed Stan (the 64 year old rider who put us all to shame) coming down the hill!!! He said there were no orange markers at the crossroads. We carried on anyway - just to check and sure enough - no orange makers. So mum phoned Jim, the support guy who didn't really seem to know where we were and I consulted the map...upon which I discovered that there was a small left turn we should have taken...AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL!!!! Oh well a few extra miles won't kill us, we hoped!!! So back down the hill we went, turned down the track we'd missed (stupid orange markers!!) and lunch was just there!!!

So more tea, pasta and chocolate cake and a sit in the sun!! Then after borrowing a bit of sudocrem (saddle sore is not nice!!) we were off again!!!

Another water stop at about 60 miles and then to Abbeville!!! Hoorah!!! This elation lasted until we checked into our rooms at the Ibis!!! Now I know I am a hotel snob but seriously...a single bed, smaller than student accomodation, half a bath, I could only just straighten my legs in it, to wash my hair I had to stick my legs up the wall!!!

The good thing though was that dinner and drinks bought the group together a bit more, we got talking to more people and had a good old chat. Dinner was vegetable soup, lasagne and tart tartain. then it was off to bed!!!