Terry Arnold
A petrol stop as we set off, our first reminder of the unmanned fuel stations and the rigmarole of ‘sussing’ out the machines and hoping they would accept our credit cards x 6 as we all queue and shuffle to the pumps.
The route took us a little way further down the A26 to Cambrai, where we stopped for a coffee (or a proper english tea for Clappo), and the headed east to the Belgian area known as the Hautes Rivieres. We stopped by a roadside cafe lunch only to find that they were only serving meals not snacks, so after refreshments we headed out again.
This was to become a theme of the tour, struggling to find somewhere to eat or drink during the daytime. It’s fair to say that our routes are off the beaten track, but the almost total absence of people or cafes or bars or shops or anything open was pretty frustrating.
This was always going to be a long day, time and miles, but so it was. The weather forecast was for some rain late afternoon and we had been riding between 2 big storms, clearly visible, when at last it started to fall on us. I pulled over to don my waterproofs and promptly lost my footing and down went me and the bike onto the roadside earth (1-Nil to Terry). Thanks for helping me up guys.
The approach into Metz was meant to be a bit of a joke, a steep hill will hairpins (practice for the next day’s riding) leading down to the city. In truth, the joke fell flat as we were already tired. The satnav route gave my following friends the impression that I was making it up as I went along (not unknown), but when Colin indicated that we had just passed the hotel we quickly doubled back, ignoring the ‘no entry’ signs through a pedestrianised area- we were extremely pleased to have arrived.
After check-in and a fast shower, we were soon back outside the hotel and walked just a matter of yards to the 1st bar with outside seats. 6 beers were ordered and the relaxation began.
Another theme – Strange Beer. It was sold as IPA, but not as we knew it! Very strangely tart in flavour, but the 2nd and 3rd pints went down very easily. Some young lasses on the adjoining table brought some polystyrene boxes to their table which turned out to be kebabs. The bar owner was happy for us to eat at his tables while drinking – so that’s what we did!
