The Day Before - Sat. - 21.6.08

Spent half the day looking up campsites on the web and putting them in my Sat Nav (here after referred to as 'Doris').
I spend all year looking forward to the trip and then start to wonder if it's worth it! Pre flight nerves - I need to get on the road.
It's raining, still the forecast for tomorrow says clear, but windy (little did I know!).

Day 1 - Sun. 22.6.08 - Nottingham to Dover to Abbeville - 250 m

I'm packed and away for 9.00 am.
Bright, sunny day, but the wind! It's blowing a gale.
Great bike, the Pan European, but the screen acts like a sail and the top box doesn't help either.
I end up being late for the ferry, but it's delayed and I just make it
Lots of bikers on the ferry are talking about the gales on the way down. At least I'm not on my own.
Off the ferry and fill with fuel. Bugger! The wind is as bad on this side of the channel. I make it as far as Abbeville (about 60 miles) and decide to take a break, after all this is The Slow Way Round.
I drive thru the town (takes about a minute) and book into the Hotel Le Chalet.

Abbeville

Basic but clean would describe it well, decorated in green and yellow circa 1960. It has an ensuite bathroom with shower and it has a locked yard for my bike. Washed and scrubbed and sitting in the bar with a beer, sorted!
There is a restaurant but it looks a bit dark and uninviting so I go for a walk into town. Its all very quite so I'm back at the bar. Oooh! Things have picked up! In the restaurant the lights are on and its almost full. Table for one please.
At first glance it looked as a bit 'basic' but, as usual, I am surprised at the standard of service and quality of food. 3 courses and a carafe of wine put me in a very mellow mood. I take the wine outside and sit by a canal chatting to a French guy about his days as a lorry driver.
Bed at 11.00 pm. The Loire tomorrow. Happy Days...........

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