Hotel Clery Chateau D'Hesdin L'Abbe Boulogne-sur-Mer

... day it was an early start - up at 2:30am for a 3am departure, made worse by the fact that we only got to bed at about 11:30pm, after making sure everything was set for the big drive. I stayed at my cousin Pete's place that night, and we then picked up Rich and Phil, the other members of team 'Le Roast Beef' - apparently that's what the French call the English.

Pete and I were sharing the driving duties, so I drove us to Calais, making the most ...

... and the view beyond the walls. There were parks, sports facilities and monuments all along the outside of the wall and a gorgeous walking path for joggers and dog walkers on the inside of the wall. We eventually came to the Castle fortress which had since been modified into a museum which was unfortunately closed on Tuesdays. One interesting thing in the city center was an art project. It was about how nature will ...

... but after being unable to find a place to sleep in Boulogne or the internet we made our way once again back to Calais. This time we grabbed some food at a little seafood restaurant and then when we were out of ideas we went back to the campsite for another night. We were dirty but at least we had a place to sleep!
Calais gave us food and a place to stay so what else could we ask for!

... Dan and Charles. It's a beautiful little town and one I was keen to show Kim. It is has high walls that runs 3km around it (perfect for our run morning run the next day!) and is situated atop a hill, so very picturesque.

PS. Le Coq Hardi is the local brand of beer

... br>The parade through Calais followed, with all the vehicles making as much noise as possible. The navigators were all frantically trying to work out where to go.
Unfortunately, we followed a group along the motorway, missing the correct exit. That was a mistake which we decided not to repeat again - we needed to have confidence in our own skills.

We ...

18th September

Staples 2 Naples – Day 1 – Calais to Sarnen.

Last night I was well fuelled up on continental 6% European blond beer! Real lethal stuff, it was served in 3 litre tubes, we had 3 of these between 4 of us!!

Not a good mix after just 1 hour sleep in 2 days!

After drinking this and signing up for the rally, with a few more beers, i was told we are heading for a ...

We got to the campsite at about 9:30.

Then the party games began. We played putting up tents in the dark, cooking for 8 in the dark (which turned out delicious cheers logistics team), unpacking kit, blowing up airbeds - with no alcohol consummed.

Then suddenly there were some squeals ...

We set off to France today for a new period in our life in Europe.
Work still chugs on, but with only 12 shifts in 42, we have plenty of time to ourselves.
We decided those "spare" 30 days should be spent in Europe.

I'll skip over the months of research and prep work and bring us up to today where we are now on the 4pm ferry instead of the 2pm ...

... for dinner. Our table in the San Marco dining room was 556 near the head of the stairs starboard side and our dining companions were Jack & Norma from Walla Walla, WA. The waiter's name was Wibawa and the Assistant Waiter was Efendi - both from Indonesia. Right away Wibawa asked for, and memorized, our first names. Thereafter he always addressed us by our names and soon remembered our likes and preferences. For dinner, John ...

We soon climbed out of the tunnel and raced towards the train's first stop at Lille. The land was flat, bathed in sunshine and looking decidedly and strangely 'foreign' !!!

We were served with a late lunch during this section of the ride. Well cooked and well served! Also with a nice glass of champagne!!!