I should remind myself of this day whenever I feel a bit down. It was quite epic and a reminder that for things to feel really good they also need to sometimes feel really bad.
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I've been putting of this post. Day 5 of my tour was the worst. On the other hand it was also the day that made me into a real cyclist..
- Waking up to the most depressing sounds a cyclist can hear, the steady patter of rain on the window accompanied by the continuous swishes of cars driving through puddles.
- Taking shelter from the wind at start by following the Meuse down a valley.
- Encounters with market and moterbike gang.
- Crossing the Meuse and climbing up the side of the valley into a full on gale driving torrential rain into my face.
- Very very hard work trying to make headway over the undulating countryside, easier going uphill, sheltered from the storm, than down..
- Feeling very low and wondering if it had all been a mistake. Then seeing a sign, downhill and away from the wind "Mettet"
- Finding the town and, more important, a warm bar.
- Ordering double everything, beer and croque monsieur.
- Stripping off and drying clothes
- Stay for a while until clothes dry, stomach filled and spirits "Leffted."
- Joy on leaving the bar to see some traces of blue in the sky.
- Unscheduled stop at Chimay to pay due homage to the monks.
- Crossing the border into France, smooth roads replacing pitted with amazing coincidence of that being the moment the sun finally broke through.
- Overnight stop at Nouvion which, fittingly, was first to be advertising forthcoming arrival of tour.
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