Wind, wind and more wind

13 days to go
Distance travelled: 90.6 miles
Time in saddle: 8hrs 41 mins
Overall distance: 4398.9 miles

I think I was a little harsh about the hotel last night. Perhaps I had a grumbly head on because I was tired. The hotel wasn’t that bad and the lady who ran it was very nice. She made sure that my computer was set up right with the Internet and she was very polite…. the pizza was rubbish though. As I was doing my blog I decided to buy some wine….when in Rome…I bought a bottle of white, which is unusual because I usually go for red. I think it was because I was very hot and the white wine was chilled. As I drank the wine some more guests came in, obviously French, or certainly French speaking because there were lots of mumbling going on. The all looked over at me…I looked back and shrugged my shoulders as if to say what’s wrong. The lady who owned the hotel said that I had been given the last bottle of white wine…..I was going to correct her and say that I had bought the last bottle of white wine….but I was too polite. I was down to my last glass but I made sure that they heard the slurping noises of contentment as the nectar went down my ignorant gullet. I laughed about it later in bed…sad I know but funny.
Daniel rang me early morning, he’s away in foreign climes on a very difficult army course….he passed. He will go to Afghanistan as a pilot for the UAV spotter planes. I am so proud of him, he has worked really hard and it is such an acheivment. Thomas has got a new job so it only left for me to finish the ride for the hat-trick.
Today has been the hardest cycling by far. The hills are not a problem, I’m used to them by now. The wind however is another issue. It has been incredibly strong all day. First it was hitting me from the side, it then became blustery. It was knocking me all over the place. Twice it blew me right into the road. On one occasion a passing car hit my pannier bag….a close call in anyone’s book. It certainly focussed the mind.
As I went past Nabonne I turned into the wind, I have worked really hard for every yard today….I hate the wind, unless it’s behind me. It was constant and in the end it drains you. By eighty miles I had reached the city of Cassionne and I’d had enough….I was hanging out of my pants. I had phone call’s from uncle ken and my brother Gary to tell me that Warrington had got through to the final of the Challenge Cup, a great result against Wigan….come on the lads. I decided to look for somewhere to stay. There was nowhere…all the hotels I tried were full, talk about no room at the inn…. Bethlehem all over again. I don’t know where it comes from but if you dig deep enough you will find it….I decided to cycle on. Seven miles down the road I came across a pub. It was a local pub and I seemed to be interrupting things as I entered…..It was a bit like one of those Clint Eastward films….but I didn’t have a gun and I was wearing Lycra….so not the same really. They were all drinking around a table, even the barman. I asked for a pint of beer and directions to a hotel. I got the beer, the direction but nothing else. I sat and drank my beer then went. I have come across two distinct types of people in France, some incredibly friendly people, as always and some ignorant shits but I suppose ever country has them.
The hotel down the road was open and they had a room. The guy didn’t speak English, which is not a problem but I understood his first line “the only room I have is” It was not appealing to say the least and he wanted eighty euros for the night. I don’t know the French for “shove it up your arse” so I just said “no” and left…..I carried on cycling looking for an opportunity to find a space in the woods or a vacant field. This place is full of vineyards and I was worried that I may be trespassing. Eventually I saw a campsite…. a field with a large tent and some toilet facilities. I approached the owner and said “parlivou Englise” He just looked at me but said nothing. I tried again, the same response. In the end I said “do you speak English”. He said “no French”
Then he changed completely and became really friendly. Perhaps it was his sense of humour, which I always appreciate, just because it’s not funny to me doesn’t mean it not valuable….trust me I should know.
I am writing my blog sat at a table with a bottle of wine and some pastries….the sun is setting and the countryside is beautiful. I am extremely tired, both my sons are happy and at the moment everything is ok with the world….it doesn’t get better than that…and Warrington have got through to the final…there is a God.