After two soaking wet days on the road and a few cases of knee pain we thought a good bit of rest and recovery time was in order. We found a hotel in Folkestone for £25 a night. That was £12.50 each including breakfast for a room with a view over the English Channel across to France. This gave us the opportunity to tie up loose ends whilst we still spoke the language and dry out all of our soaking wet gear.
I’ve seen a tidier hotel room before
We checked in for two days and thought we’d make the most of our last couple of evenings in the UK. That meant a visit to The Firkin Real Ale House and another down the road called Kipps. Both had very friendly staff, great local ales and good vibes. Needless to say we visited both pubs on both nights to taste the variety on offer.
If you aren’t sure which ale to have just order ‘the paddle’
So our one full day in Folkestone was spent lying in the hotel room ‘resting the knees’ and eating the date and walnut loaf which was mindblowing.
On our last night in England we randomly met Diver Dave and Liz in the pub. After a few paddles listening to our plans, Dave became very excited and mentioned that he had a boat moored in Dover and would be very happy to ferry us and our fully loaded bikes across the channel. True to his word, the following morning a very hungover Dave and Liz met us at Dover Port, loaded our bikes onto Trya and, dodging the massive ferries, shipped us across to Calais. The Channel was rough but it was a great laugh and the crossing took just over 2 hours.
Dave popped into the boulangerie, bought two baguettes then headed straight back to Dover. Thanks Dave and Liz – that was a great experience that we’ll remember forever.
Trya in her full glory in Calais Port
The Wild Bunch
Time to eat baguette and learn some French…
Love the photos, and what star support from Dave and Liz. Do you need to spread some confiture on that baguette for some extra calories?
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Jez, we have been eating ALOT!
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Wow that was a bit of luck, there are some great folks out there. A few miles bathind you and your first foreign country, enjoying the blog so far, take care.
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So now you get to have bread all through France I understand. Great bread of course!
Funny, the tidy hotel room…
Enjoying the blog!
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Ta
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😃
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Very excited for the adventure. Many friends are following you via Facebook too. On the saddle next to you.
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Thanks boet
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Very cool!! What an experience!!
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Enjoy the chow now guys. good chance you will be craving those 74 trentham BLT’s in a few months.
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Thanks Nic. Lamb potjie tonight. When you ride like this you just want to chow. We’re looking forward to a good graze at Olive Rock once we’re there.
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Enjoying following your tour…duidelik meneer!
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Lekker Bru. We’re enjoying it too. Going well here.
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Wow what adventure you both are having….am catching up with you guys in the blog👍..enjoy your next stage
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Epic!
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Smuggled across your first border!
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They did not even check our passport!
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Damn straight!
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Spoke to johns Mom today and will meet up with her soon. Thinking of you guys a lot and hope you are having the time of your lives
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Hectic broe, channel crossing in a dingy. In amongst those ferries & hovercrafts too.
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Keep enjoying your trip, sounds brilliant so far. All at Kipps’ Alehouse Folkestone.
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Epic! Thanks guys. Definitely missing a good pint or a paddle.
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Thanks Guys. Beer is not quite the same here.
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Love the boat journey! Better than a ferry.
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It was a memorable experience. So epic.
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