Week 4

The rest of the day was extremely emotional after dad had decided to just battle on to the nearest main city and then head back home.

The following night we stayed at a campsite at the top of an enormous hill, as we got to the area to assemble the tent late in the afternoon we could not help but be blown away by the veiws. Here we could see the Alps (some still with snow on them) and we could also see no sizeable mountain for as far as the eye could see(65km). This was encouraging.

We could also see the Rhone river which runs all the way to the top of Marseille. We were really boosted by this!

We felt that if we stay as close to the Rhone as possible than it must be flat. So we began and saw our first sign to Marseille 317km. It would actually be 450km from this point before getting into the city as we must take longer routes on the bike.

As the weather warmed we began staying at campsites more frequently and my cooking became something that Gordon Ramsey would enjoy. On one wet afternoon when coming to a sign directing us to a campsite in the other direction but not giving us how far, we decided to knock on the nearest house to ask them. Here we were invited to the spend the night in the cute and perfect little cabin on the back of the farm with and open fire!

Ha, we couldnt belive our luck.

We were a day out from Marseille and dads attitude and motivation had changed, we were both so keen to get there and have cycled from the top of France all the way to the bottom. About 15km from Marseille after having cycled 93km already and our previous 2 being over 100km each we ran into some trouble. It was not winds, nor a puncture nor a hill. But a gang of hoodlums. After getting direction from many people to get into the city safely we found ourselfs in a dodgy looking area. 2 boys rode up to us on thier motorbike and said something in French. 

I replied "no comprend" immediately they were excited with the fact that we were obviously out of town and called thier friends over. I told dad to immediately cycle and we did. The boys followed and began attempting to knock dad and i off the road for the next 500metres before probably realising that they were becoming too far away from the possy and at risk of an ass whooping from dad and I. We were both shaken up and decided just to pull up the night at the nearest hotel. Our Marseille arrival was delayed.

BUT WE MADE IT!

1634km from our origin-London

Here we are staying a few nights at the Aunty and uncle of Sophie, the lovely wife of our hero who rescued us from the rain just outside of Paris.

Here i sit nervous for dad is not continuing with me.

Tomorrow morning (16th April 2009) i will begin the next 3 month adventure on my own. I will begin towards Nice and then decide on what route to then take towards Istanbul.

My companion will be missed

I am scared.