This keyboqrd hqs q fez keys szqpped qround; so this is gonnq look very funny 😛

Cant type all my stuff out so just give you a brief rundown..

Finally left Grant, Sheila, Leo and Mei-Ling in peace (pieces?). Thanks heaps guys – you ROCK!!

Up until 3:30 am packing and woke at 6am! Was gonna be one of those days!

Never ridden my bike setup for loaded touring and now I gotta ride through London peak haha! I did avoid central London by using A205 until it got to the A2. Lost for first 20min. The bike handles like a boat!! Seriously dodgy!!

It stqrted raining 5min after I left haha

I got lost q lot.. Lucky I took A-Z with me. I got lost and ended up on the M2 – thqts the dodgy Motorway – no bikes allowed. Riding along and rreew rreew cops pull me over!!!! “You’re gonna get killed!”. I explain that im a stupid, lost aussie (not hard to convince people of that!) and after a failed attempt to go through bush and over fence, two cops end up pushing my bike up steep concrete bridge embankment while I scramble up grassy bit in SPDs. I didn’t mention that i’d been on the M2 for over 30 kays. They explain how to get back onto the safer A2 and i’m back on my way. I also stopped at Bean for pub meal, beer and water. I kept running out of food and water. I have deadline to hostel and I’m shattered.. but stupid enough to continue. Instead of 90k, it takes 140ish, 8.5hrs riding, 11.5hrs total time. 16kph average while loaded – not quite the roadie-like 30kph Im used to.. I was a dribbling mess at the end.. then saw the sign warning of hills.. kill me.. kill me now..

I fucking made it tho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk qbout biting off more than even this fat bastard can chew!!!

I explored Canterbury very slowly next day – trashed, overuse injury of right knee. Just another event in a long line of idiotic decisions by me hahaha Canterbury was cool cept nothing much open at night when I NEEDED food and drink. Cathedral impressive. Dom in Cologne perhaps moreso?

Easier 2hr ride to Dover that day, booking Dover YHA ahead from Canterbury YHA. Got lost just as much, but the cycle trails were pretty good, so I ignored the map I WAS using. Guys had turned sign around to move a digger – very funny moment me looking more confused than normal having to go back the way I came… until they righted the sign hahaha Lovely green countryside. Wish I could upload pics.

Ended up staying in Dover for qnother night coz of crazy thunderstorm and getting hammered in pub with some funny locals buying me drinks, wondering why the hell I wanted to stay in Dover haha

Big thanks to Elisha and Sara from the hostel – you guys were very cool putting up with my extended ravings.. at least I wasn’t 20 Polish guys right? hehe

Finally left Dover after checking out the cqstle. The secret war tunnels and the awesome view being most impressive things. Dover to Calais ferry cost 10 squid one way. Rocking made me sleepy.

Youth hostel in Calais, chicken, frittes (fries) and Leffe Blonde for dinner followed by wicked pancake with choc sauce and whipped cream. Found a techno club/pub and sunk more foreign brews with some local tech heads. Menthe tastes like mouthwash – fail to see the attraction!!

Slept in past checkout so mad rush to leave, no shower, got changed into cycling gear in public toilet for 20 euro cents. Riding along canal path, Saw cool street market with everything from clothes to bikes to oscilloscopes!!

Called Tam from nearby village. Rode on to St. Omer, getting lost some more along the way..

No camp grounds I could find so stayed in 44euro BnB. Must say though… frickin awesome!! Lovely people, speaking english, REAL towels, funky room. She even gave me juice and cake on arrival!

Into town for explore and dinner of burger and more frittes.. then into pub for more foreign brews. Met some very friendly Swedes who spoke as much French as me = none. They bought me beers and I even tried some Swedish chewing tobacco = you stick it under gum, no actual chewing. They were instqlling some box making machine in town. Have installed for Visy-board in Oz too. Very friendly guys, and dudes, your english really was fine!!! 🙂

Brekkie in BnB was ace = breads and cakes n coffee n juice n homemade jams etc.. brill!!!!

In net cafe in St Omer now.. dont think Ill make it to Lille today, especially if I look at Le Couple?? V2 rocket bunkers = if i can find them…

Better check mail now..

Bike tour Europe – it rocks!!!!!!