What a day! Despite the 5.15 start we left the Portsmouth Travelodge in high spirits. Although the Tall Stories support van was given the full drugs and weapons search by customs officials, we managed to get on the ferry first and secure the best seats. Incredibly the ferry even left 10 minutes early and we had a quick a fairly smooth journey across the channel. Yes, it was going to be a good day.
The first 21 mile leg to lunch flew by as we raced across a reasonably flat section of the Normandy countryside. The aches and pains of the South Downs drifted away and the world seemed wonderful place as we passed through the open fields and quaint villages in warm sunshine.
Lunch, as ever, was a treat with the Tall Stories boys providing homemade baguettes and all sorts of other goodies. Graeme, the slower* group’s guide, gave a short masterclass on drafting and working as a team, which meant that the overall pace of the day was significantly higher.
*I’ve referred to them as the slow group but I can guarantee that they’ve been travelling at a pace far higher than most people can manage – it’s just that the so-called fast group are full of annoying Ironmen and women.
After lunch, we had to deal with two reasonably difficult hills and the girls of the fast group continued to show some of the boys how it was done. It probably doesn’t help that Ken continues to use lunch and rest stops for a cheeky cigarette break but he knows the consequences. Marcus has no excuse other than eating his own bodyweight in food each evening.
