The Big Long Bus Ride

Well, I thought I wouldn't have much to write today. I have basically just sat on a bus all day after all. Nonetheless, let's give it a bit of a whirl.

Unsurprisingly, I got precious little sleep last night. Despite my lovely hotel room, it was boiling hot so it was a choice of either suffocating or opening the window and dealing with the roar of the A1M outside and everyone slamming their car doors in the Services car park. I kept the window open.

My alarm went off at 3.05am (those extra 5 minutes were important). It felt as if I'd just fallen asleep. I know I had ages before I had to be out at 4.30am but I don't think clearly at the best of times when I wake up so I had to make allowances. A lovely hot shower, fresh orange juice, big mug of tea and restoring pot of creamy porridge all helped get me going.

It took a few goes to get all my panniers, rack pack and handle bar bag down to reception. My bike had slept well in the conference room overnight.

Fortunately, it was a warm, dry morning waiting outside for the bike bus. A text came through at 4.35am whilst I was waiting, which I automatically thought would be the bike bus with a message. After all, no-one else would be up at this ungodly hour, would they? It was Ade!! Wide awake and wishing me well! What a nice surprise :-)

The bike bus arrived and is quite a spectacle as you'll see from the photo today. It's a double decker coach with a big bike trailer behind it.

We had a good journey all the way from Yorkshire and up until 49 miles from Dover where there was a severe multi-vehicle crash. We were stuck for around an hour with numerous fire engines and ambulances screaming past. It looked quite a mess when we went past and there were still many walking wounded including children and dogs. (Thanks for keeping me updated on the situation, Mum.)

Dover looked the best I've ever seen it under blue skies and sunshine. The ferry crossing was smooth and enjoyable. After hours sat on the bus, I spent most of it either outside enjoying the fresh air or walking around and getting the blood back in my legs. Never have I had such a numb bum from sitting so much!

Mel, you would be proud - a massive egg mayo sarnie followed by not just a chocolate brownie but a DELUXE chocolate brownie on board. Oh yes!

Calais looked better than when I left it 3 years ago in severe gales. All the ferries had been cancelled and several tents blown away. Today, people were sunbathing on the sandy beaches and no doubt enjoying ice creams and chocolate crepes. And the ferry just slid into port.

Given the significant media coverage of the migrant crisis in Calais recently, I think we were all a little apprehensive at what we would experience. Empty roads were not what we expected. We did pass a migrant camp behind some serious fencing that had swelled from 3,000 to 6,000 people within the last few weeks but all was calm, well-controlled and peaceful. Phew.

And I'm about to have dinner on the bus with a large glass of white wine. I've no idea what effect this will have on my sleep-deprived brain also riddled with a hefty dose of motion sickness. I'm hoping it will send me to sleep rather than have me swinging from the rafters. I'll decide what to report tomorrow! (Ooo, my wine has just arrived in a large polystyrene cup with lid - classy!)

And now here's an issue I hadn't considered. I'm a solo female traveller sat next to a solo male traveller (there are no other solo female travellers on the bus). I now have to sleep in very close quarters next to this complete stranger. I'm most concerned that I'll end up rolling onto his shoulder and no doubt dribbling or something equally embarrassing. Oh, and I sleep-talk too....

I guess I'm sort of enjoying the bike bus experience with all these other cyclists who are equally hyper about their forthcoming tours. And one couple have already called me brave just for being on my own!?! It's not quite just "sitting on a bus".

However, I will be exceptionally glad to start pedalling tomorrow, loosen off my legs and get started properly.

Thank you everyone for all your lovely messages. Please keep them coming :-))

Cheery-bye for now!

Xxx

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2