Managed to slip in another tandem trip, shorter, but also pretty epic - pedalling into Paris. 127 miles each way and we finish the first half in front of the Eiffel Tower!
Haven’t really been in training for it, but have gone out once or twice a week since the Danube trip. Steve has gone out more than I have as he’s started with the Bury Tandem Club again. Day 1 is 49 miles from Dieppe to Gournay-en-Bray, day 2 is 48 miles to Triel sur Seine and day 3 is 30 miles to Paris.
There’s a double decker bus tour, an evening in Ille St. Louis, perhaps a visit to the Bastille Market for some poulet roti and pommes du terre.
But before that, there was the problem with the ferry. We got a text saying that the ferry had been cancelled, which was a bit of a problem as we had to be in France wheels rolling on Thursday. All of the hotels had been booked through to Paris and then back to Dieppe - not really any room to change things. So, Steve junped on the computer and found us a ticket on LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais. Good thing, it got us there in 35 mins vs 4 hours, less good we were 2.5 hours away from Dieppe. Never-mind, we’re taking the train. Even with the delays, it got us to France by 5ish.
We then made our way to Dieppe and arrived 13 hours after we started. Big drive for Steve!
We had a house to ourselves, 4 stories, one room to each floor with a narrow circular staircase in between. Plenty of room for all our gear.
After the unload, a quick change and then off pour le diner. We went to Le Chalet, a place of tartiflette and fondue. Chris discovered he really liked fondue (which is really melted cheese so what’s not to like!) so we’ll be looking for more of that.
Then of to our narrow French house for a good nights sleep before we head out for Paris!
Long day of driving, first to the tunnel terminal at Folkestone then the 120 miles from Calais to Dieppe by that got us “back on track” from the cancelled ferry. Very quirky house basically four rooms and four floors with a very steep narrow winding staircase. Need to be Fred Dibner (English steeplejack from Lancashire famous for climbing mill chimneys with just ladders!!) to climb it.
ReplyDeleteAll is well that ends well.
So glad you overcame the ferry cancellation and were able to make the trip!!!
ReplyDeleteWell worth the effort to get here!
DeleteInterested in seeing more about this one...Paris is my fav city in the world!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great place and just as good as our last visit, and what a treat pedalling into the city with the glimpses of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower coming closer and closer!
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