Ceri:

Neil and I used to go cycle touring before my operation. I loved it and always wondered if we’d do it again. As September approached, I decided to clad the interior of our little summerhouse so spent all summer in my element, researching DIY websites , buying materials and building. Meanwhile, Neil poured over maps getting more and more excited. We were both happy. I’m always like this. Having agreed a trip without a second thought, I don’t worry or get really engaged with it until we’re actually on the road. But once we get started , everything else switches off. I love getting really involved, researching places, finding accommodation, helping navigate various routes. We share all this and we both love it.

I wasn’t particularly fit at the start, especially recovering from my tummy bug, but I managed the bike battery well. I wanted to get fit so used it less and less as the journey continued. About 800 miles in, we began to realise we’d actually make it and I started to feel a wonderful glow of excitement. I remembered that first ski trip immediately after my chemotherapy and the confidence it gave me that our lives would once again be fun and full of adventure. And that’s exactly how I feel now.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have met Neil. We’ve been together 13 years. We are similar in so many ways, especially when we are traveling. I guess meeting driving cars in Africa was a good start. He is my soulmate and my best friend.

Neil:

Sort of easy really . I think we are both amazed it has all gone so well . My medical kit remains unused , same for bike repairs. The same air in the tires from Devon are still in the tires !
No major navigational errors , well apart from the odd Google road which sometimes become a track
No arguments not even a sulk from either of us . As I mentioned before the simplicity of each day being the same routine makes it just stress free . All that you have to think of is the terrain and how your legs feel . Where shall we have morning coffee where to stop for lunch where will be stay ….and repeat 27 times !
Ceri and I both said in several occasions, what a team !
Would we do it again . Well most definitely. I’m already mulling over routes maybe Roscoff to Santiago de Compestela for 2024
A bientôt

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Nice was humming with rugby and excitement. We’ve never seen so many streets with so restaurants so full of people with more waiting to be seated. Many had big screens showing the rugby. The coast with its flat calm sea stretched for miles in both directions lined with street lights fading into the distance and hundreds people out walking enjoying the warm October evening. It was a wonderful atmosphere. We’re definitely going back!

I must confess I was exhausted the first night. It’s like my body decided to tell me to STOP even though I hadn’t felt tired whilst cycling. After a long lazy sleep, we had a leisurely day swimming in the sea and wandering through the city still busy with people.

Next day started the long journey home, switching trains at Marseilles, Lyon, Dijon and Paris to get to Caen, with a stopover at Dijon. Some trains had whole carriages designated for bikes. Others didn’t, but we managed to get our bikes on every time, aided occasionally by friendly cyclists as we stacked our bikes into allocated spaces. Neil loved the whole process. I found switching platforms and finding bike spaces tiring and would sit exhausted watching the French countryside roll by. But Paris for a few hours was regenerating. What a beautiful city it is.

The final part of the return was cycling 14km along the canal path from Caen to Ouistreham to catch our ferry. Families and cyclists were our enjoying the warm evening and it felt so good to be back on our bikes. We continued on to the vast expanse of the Normandy beach for a swim. One couldn’t help but think of all those lives lost and saved on that beach. Then fish and chips in a beach cafe, still in our summer clothes even in October. What a perfect ending in France.

We slept like babies on the overnight ferry to Portsmouth then an easy drive home. I was happy not to be using trains this time, but we will again next time.

Home to a rather overgrown garden so we set to it straight away. We’re happy to be home

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