I'm in England

Five days to go
I cycled around Le Havre looking for a flag
Distance: 12.2 miles
Overall distance: 5046.9 miles

It was early when I awoke, the sound of the trucks engines made sure of that. They have to run their engines every so often to keep the refrigerators working. It kept me awake for quite a while last night and then early this morning. I didn’t want to wake Dave, he kindly left his wagon door open for me, and he just closed the lock without actually locking it, well done Dave. I opened the back door and it was bloody freezing. I hadn’t realised it would be that cold. I’d left my panniers on my bike, I’d taken my computer out but nothing else, and everything was frozen. I was pretty sure that I’d knackered the camera but it was working fine, hardy cameras those Canons.
I was dying for a drink but the water in the bottles on my bike had frozen. I laughed but needed to find somewhere to get a drink. Luckily the local shops were open and I quenched my thirst. I cycled around Le Havre looking for a shop that sold flags, I need a French flag to complete my collection but everywhere that might have sold them was shut. I seem to keep finishing my rides at large towns on a Sunday when the shops are shut…weird.
Le Havre is quite nice but you can tell that I had a lot of bomb damage during the war. Whole chunks of the town has modern and not very attractive buildings. There are parts that still have old attractive areas but not many. I waited until the booking office of the ferry line opened and booked my seat for 5.00pm, a few hours away. I went for a final search for my flag them boarded the ferry. As I was waiting in line to board the ferry Dave and Bill, from last night showed up with another truck driver. They had come to wish me a good journey, which I thought was very nice of them. The young truck driver, who was Irish and I hadn’t met was driving to Liverpool and offered me a lift. I had to turn him down but thanks for the offer. There is a joke there somewhere An English, Irish and a Welsh truck drivers…think of your own punch line. Bill gave me some money for my charity ride. What a great guy.
I also got talking to two motorcycle enthusiasts, they were asking me about my ride and seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing. They wished me all the luck…aren’t people brill.
I had a sleeper seat on the ferry but I needn’t have as there was plenty of room, the ship wasn’t full at all. The trip was quite a few hours but passed very quickly. I had a meal of the ship, they gave me loads, which I’m not used to at the moment….it was lovely but I felt sick after. As I left France I was a little sad. My journey is coming to an end, an epic adventure that I’ve enjoyed tremendously and I’ve met some fantastic people…..hang on I’ve still got 250 miles to do. Best not count my chickens. As I cycled into Portsmouth I stopped at a take away shop and asked if they knew of any hotels in the area. The guy in there was Chinese and his English wasn’t very good ….it was a Kentucky Fried Chicken take away, not Chinese….I can pick them can’t I?
I finally settled into my hotel….I can’t believe I am in England. It’s going to be a mad few days…stay tuned.