Day 218 Nov 13 Tue - Calais ferry to Dover (UK).Train to London and Bike to Sister's House

Close encounter with the Police at the Calais camp
On board the Seafrance Ferry
Seafrance vehicles gates
Nice flower spotted in Calais park
One of the most beautiful church in Europe I had seen

After the ferry crossing to Dover
Famous white cliff of Dover with a castle on hilltop


Now I can afford to smile more often

Train ride from Dover to Charing Cross
Another great smile
Bar & cafe restaurant hotel opposite the Dover Station for a cup of expresso and a bacon sandwich for £4
Asked to park the bike inside the Bar as bike often get lost within minutes as told by the owner

At the Trafalgar Square (wondering why the fountain is not working?)
Lions tower at the Trafalgar Square
Hello,Hello,Hello .....Love from Meng at the Trafalgar Square. See you soon in Malaysia!!!!
Charing Cross Station ,just 5 min's walk to the Square
Can't beat my B2P and P2L bike tour

Glad to be like home with someone so close.Thanks Alan and Lan ying for everything
At the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board with Mr Terrence and Miss Mathilda

Today's Distance: 28 km
Today's Temp: 9 - 15*c
Average Speed: 12.3 max: 29.5
Time on Bike: 2 hr 15 min
Average climb: 2% max: 9%
Trip Altitude: 191 m max: 187 m
Today's spending: 31 eur

Today's spending: £ 19
Total Distance to date: 13980 km
Total spending in Euro: 710.16 eur

What a close encounter!!! as I woke up this morning,I couldn't believe that I was camping just next to a policeman 's house as I saw the patrol car parked just about 15 m from my tent. Obviously he must have not noticed my existence when came back from duty , if not I'll be in trouble. Before he wake up ,I better pack early and leave without bothering to cook my breakfast. This was my 2nd time in Calais as I still can remember some of the buildings and roads especially the tall beautiful church with a huge garden full of colourful flowers . One of the best I had seen in Europe. The ride to the ferry port took half an hour just followed the sign "car ferry". Bought a ticket for 17 eur on Seafrance as last time was on P&O. After the British passport control , I was told to wait at Lane 10. What a miserable,silvering 1/2 hr wait under the strong cold wind and shower rain . I was the only one bicycle in queue while others were sitting comfortably inside their cars. The ship with 8 decks included a duty free shop,bar,cafe & restaurant,children playground,money changer and slot machines etc.. One hour crossing to Dover - a place famous for its white cliffs with a castle on the hilltop. Cycled my way to the train station to Charing Cross in Central London,just 5 min walk to the Trafagal Square. Paid a visit to the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board across the road. Met Mr Terrence Muda from Sarawak and Miss Mathilda C. Stanisclas from Taiping. Thanks for the warm reception and helps given to me especially the heartwarming hot coffee and biscuits made by Miss Mathilda.Once again thank you very much. Night falls early in London , I had to rely on streets and cars light for one and a half hour ride to my sister's house in Palmers Green ,north London . Mind you ,It was just 4 pm !!! I was surprised at my photographic memory as I did not made a single navigation error since last year August when I was on my mtb Europe tour. Arrived sister house at 6 pm for a well deserved rest. My sister cooked a delicious dinner of Indian Tandoori Chicken. Feeling on top of the world.

Day 217 Nov 12 Mon - Camp 5km to Poix to Abbeville & Train to Camp in Calais

Had to remove the front brake pad due to crack on the rim
Morning sun at the camp 5km to Poix
Frost formed on the fly hard like a piece of paper the next morning - A real cold night!

Thought of having a good Chinese lunch while waiting for the train but was closed
Abbeville train station built in 1912
Abbeville town centre
Only bike shop in town as I was told ,closed much to my disappointment or is it a blessing???
Cracked front Alexrim due to excessive wear & tear

Another good idea from the discarded aluminium cans
Sneaked in between the bushes to camp just outside the train station in Calais
Bike parking on train ride to Calais
Abbeville train station
Waiting for the train arrival on Platform no. 2

Today's Distance: 49 km
Today's Temp: 4 - 15*c
Average Speed: 14.4 max: 52
Time on Bike: 3 hr 21 min
Average climb: 2% max: 7%
Trip Altitude: 352 m max: 204 m
Today's spending: 21.14 eur
Total Distance to date: 13952 km
Total spending to date: 679.16 eur

What a day's ride which ended in Abbeville,some 110 km south of Calais. I was forced to take a train to Calais!!My front wheel Alexrim was found cracked from the joint due to excessive wear and tear.And to make matter worst , the only one bike shop in town was closed on Monday when one guy brought me to the doorstep. The very old train station built in year 1912 was just nearby. The bike is still rideable but the risk was rather too high , I certainly do not want to end up in the middle of nowhere where I had to beg for help. I had accomplished the big mission of B2P and this P2L is just an icing on the cake.Take it easy MAN!!! Enough is Enough..... You are not a Superman!!! You are just an ordinary man crazy on bike , even the bike needed a rest!!!!

Yes, felt more relax now as decision make to train to calais .Ticket cost 15 eur ,changed to another train at Boulogne and by the time the train arrived in Calais already 7.00pm . Sneaked myself in between the bushes for the campsite just out from the train station. Cooked the dinner almost 11pm when almost nobody around as I afraid too early people might be alarmed by the smoke from the firewood . This would probably be my last camping , tomorrow I will be resting in my sister's house in London. Hot shower,warm queen size bed and a delicious dinner...What a feeling ,sweet dream tonight!!!!!!

Day 216 Nov 11 Sun - Camp 2 km to Clermont to Camp 5km to Poix

Camp 5km to Poix
Taking a shelter from the rain and wind under a truck trailer

Today's Distance: 77 km
Today's Temp: 9 - 15*c
Average Speed: 12.9 max: 51.5
Time on Bike: 5 hr 57 min
Average climb: 2% max: 8%
Trip Altitude: 611 m max: 269 m
Today's spending: 0
Total Distance to date: 13903 km
Total spending to date: 658.02 eur

The weather continued to give me a hard time like yesterday,not only it rained but also came with a strong head wind blowing directly from the northwest sea coast of Normandy, fortunately it was just a shower rain and still rideable with my raincoat on. Slow but still steady.Started at 9.45 am on Road D929 to Clermont,D916 to St -Just ,Breteuil and Conty on D920. Not really in mood to take pictures under such weather. I had to camp early on a campsite that has firewood to cook. Confirmed the pump cup has worn out and torn beyond repair .No spare part to replace. Set tent 5 km to Poix

Day 215 Nov 10 Sat - Camp 5km to Pontoise to Camp 2 km to Clermont

Back to the basic...... when your MSR stove failed to function
Starting the fire with my MSR petrol fuel

Camp 2 km to clermont

Today's Distance: 59 km
Today's Temp: 8 - 13*c
Average Speed: 15.3 max: 54.5
Time on Bike: 3 hr 49 min
Average climb: 2% max: 6%
Trip Altitude: 430 m max: 198 m
Today's spending: 24.14 eur
Total Distance to date: 13826 km
Total spending to date:658.02 eur

A day nothing went right!! I lost my spectacle yesterday,and then my MSR stove fuel bottle cannot be pressurised,suspected the pump cup worn out,can't read the instructions without my spectacle.Bought a new one in St-Quen for 19.9 eur.Precious time lost in searching for camping shops failed.To add salt to a miserable day, encountered very bad weather with shower rain almost the whole day,whats more even the wind wasn't in my favour.For the first time,I felt so helpless,so down and almost wanted to cry in the rain.Worried about the dinner tonight without my MSR stove,certainly one of my worst day! Perhaps the only consolation was I still managed to cook up a good and satisfactory dinner and hot coffee at the campsite by using the firewood around and to start the fire with my MSR petrol fuel.

Day 214 Nov 09 Fri - Paris to Camp 5 km to Pontoise

A souvenir cap from Encik Khazali , 3rd Secretary of the Malaysian Embassy in Paris

Ready to leave Paris at the Duck - 3 - Hostel
With Encik Khazali in his office
At the gate
Camp 5km to Pontoise

Today's Distance: 37 km
Today's Temp: 9 - 15*c
Average Speed: 12.3 max: 33.5
Time on Bike: 3 hr 01 min
Average climb: 1% max: 6%
Trip Altitude: 234 m max: 91 m
Today's spending: 4 eur
Total Distance to date: 13767 km
Total spending to date: 633.88 eur

Today just managed to ride out from the many busy roads of Paris - A real big city! The ride was also delayed by a morning shower rain which lasted for almost an hour but was happy to see the sun after that.Armed with a city map,following the road to the Concord and the Arc de Triomphe Etoile. The Malaysian Embassy was just next to the Porte de Malloit.While our Mr Ambassador was busy in the meeting , a very friendly Encik Khazali ( 3rd secretary ) was there to welcome me from his busy workload.He brought me to a nearby restaurant for a chicken sandwich and a hot coffee.He also presented a cap,2 souvenir pins with the flags of Malaysia & France and also a very special heartwarming gift.Terima kasih Meng ucapkan atas kehospitaliti anda. Not forgetting also Cik Rogayah and Major Fadzilah, once again Thank You very much!!!!!