Rylan first up this morning anxious to get home to the beautiful Courtney ready to start the next phase of his life, all I can say embrace every part of your life and live it to the full, so glad I can sit down and have a chat with my two boys and wax lyrical about life in general. All the very best Courtney & Rylan, enjoy the trails and tribulations it will be great so happy for you both, also so looking forward to all the great times we will have.

So Rylan’s off to the train station Bingo and I ready for the off, then a big sigh, Charlie knows that means trouble, with a capital T, Bingo never get ruffled, but little things get him, he had not sorted the way out of Bordeaux, no worries quick little check, all sorted in a matter minutes, we were close on the heels of Rylan. Weaving in and out of the early morning traffic, Bingo was superb shouting out the instructions in his impeccable way, every junction made me jump, in a familiar fashion, just a little smile at the traffic lights, “did you hear that ok” yes mate so did did my Mum in Aylesham but all good.

How we got out of the City is testament to Bingo’s map reading ability’s and my resilient to just hang on his back wheel, just following like an obedient pet, gripping the handle bars like they are my life saver. So bl****y glad to get out of the City limits, nearly burst into song then, plenty of time for that, need to hit the highway to heaven before I can relax, as soon as we got out of the suburban sprawl we stopped for a well earned coffee and soft drink, need to relax me hands as they had been gripping the handle bars so tightly. Had a chat with Rylan all good he is half an hour away from Paris, how mad is that, we have just managed 30 odd miles!

With a dab of sun screen on, off we go, soon joined the wonderful cycle network, skipping over junctions knowing we have the right of way, well mostly still get the odd one who pulls out in front of you , but thankfully few and far between, the drivers are so considerate to us and we pay them the same respect let them pass as soon as possible. Steaming down to the coast now, bikes running on raw power, as we smile at all the tourists and the signature “Bonjure”.

Had a lovely little lunch stop at Biscarrosse, nice shady little spot, all very nice few beers and a big bowl of salad and French fries (Belgium Fries if being correct), just a little 12 mile stretch now through the sand dunes (Dune du Pilat) possibly the highest sand dunes in Europe, personally i am looking for the most refreshing beer in Europe or the world for that matter, sure it will happen.

As sure as it we roll in, just as Rylan texted us he is aboard the 14:20 ferry all good, once again its a privilege to ride with your son, though sometimes now I really wish I did not push him so hard when he was younger, he done the London to Brighton at 12 years old, then rode from Aylesham to to West Hougham when we got back, now he just gives me the Dad smile and says keep up mate. Mate I love it, makes it all worthwhile, as I trundle through the French countryside, where can I go next, lots of options, lets see what happens.

All booked in, big wash day, all the stuff fluttering in the nice afternoon breeze, as we sort out some more routes down to wherever it takes us.

Relaxing with a cold one now, enjoying the results of the hard earned miles, everyone is a blessing, may there be many more. Finishing early tonight got to try and stay up to watch England tonight, I love my football, but it may be a big ask, though been doing some training nearly finished the French game last night, about 80 mins I think.