Day Two: Boulougne to Arras (via Hesdin)

Distance: 140 km

on the way (via Parenty)

Best bit: being all alone on a hill

Worst bit: a crazy French lady in  Renqult Meganne

I could have done the route in half the distance today if I flew like a crow or went on the motorway. Instead i meekly accepted my fate as a cyclist and took the back roads. Nine bumb numbing hours later I was very happy to get to Arras. Felt like giving it up by lunchtime but the thought of such a humiliating start and a very large helping of energy drink got me through. Went through lots of rolling green fields. A few steep climbs at start but after that it was distance rather than height. World War One cemeteries are everywhere. Sobering stuff. Most of the dead are in their teens or twenties, took me some time to find someone of my own age. Every cemetery I passed was beautifully maintained. Not a blade of grass out of place.

cemetary grave PW Griffith RiP

The hostel is very basic and they put me in the attic. For some reason they wont let me take my bike to the room. I realise that my hostel membership card is still with the nice girl in Boulougne. A family set the fire alarm off about 10 pm by burning their dinner in the kitchen. I have been asleep for at least an hour by then. I pass a girl with the most amazing matching pink slippers and dressing gown outfit on the stairs.

(Geek Bit, route detail: Boulougne, D52 Samir, D125 Parenty, D127 Montreuil, D113, Contes, Huby-St-Leu, Hesdin, D340,Vieil-Hesdin, Frevent, D339, Estree-Wamin, Arras.°

Commonwealth Soldier Cemetary