Aragon 9.1, Back to Blighty

Weather has been worse than yesterday.  OK though coz I was togged up and kept my hands dry enough to get my gloves on without issue. Worst part probably was being blown and sprayed to bits by juggers going in the opposite direction. 

Stopped for fuel at the Carrefour Contact store in Nouvion. My bro' will be familiar with that stop. Popped in and grabbed something to eat, plus a couple of cans of Grimbergen Blonde. Just enough room in the top box, with me wearing my waterproofs. Every cloud! 😁

France is brown. Not parched like parts of Spain but with the crops now harvested, all that remains is the brown stubble of sunflower and corn plants. It's quite stark.

Despite the persistent and heavy rain, it has been an interesting journey.  I've seen another wild deer, a couple of under cover cars, as in new models disguised with black and white shapes, to hide the make and marvelled at Chartres Cathedral, as it stands proud like a beacon, in an otherwise flat landscape. Stunning.

As a rider I like to acknowledge fellow bikers, with a wave or a nod.  More recently, that has included police motorcyclists, as Grizzly may recall. On this trip I have waved at several Spanish cops, with no response. Today however, two French cops, to their credit, actually waved back. I should point out, I only wave at them because my hand is already raised by the time I identify them as plod. Anyway, makes a change to get a reaction. 

Despite my stop for fuel/food, I was ahead of schedule. I had toyed with the idea of spending time in a McDs, using free wifi, to kill some time before my crossing but as the rain hammered down, I decided to come straight to the terminal. 

Good news, I was offered a crossing 2 hours before mine. Bad news, they wanted £42 to do it. Basically, I'd be doubling the cost of my crossing. Bollocks to that. 

So, here I sit waiting to be called for my 17:50 crossing. At least I'm in the warm and dry and I still have free wifi, so it's not all bad.

I was the only bike in the new shelter and I've availed myself of the free secure helmet storage system. It's a bit like an in room safe at a hotel. Open, insert helmet, close, select code, verify code, lock.

Helmet Locker

90 minutes to the off. All being well, I should be back home by 18:30.

Bye for now.