Getting to France

We awaken to the most significant fog of the trip and everything covered in dew. The bonus being we will also end up with the sunniest day since we arrived in the UK. Shortly after 9 we have packed and are on our way. The first stop is a shop to see if we can find a new lantern for our friends. They make a selection I like so much I also decide to buy one. Later in the day when we get batteries it is determined the one they got doesn’t work, their second defective lantern purchased for this trip.

We board the ferry in Dover headed for Calais. It is a 90 minute ride across. It was suggested we strap the bike down but for this journey at least it would not have been necessary. The visibility is poor with a shroud of fog just off the water and we don’t see the approaching coastline until we are nearing the port entrance.

Departing the ferry we find route A26 and head for Reims. The French motorway has different speeds for vehicles towing and we are limited to 55 mph. Everything has switched from miles to kilometers so the signs read 90. Car traffic can drive 130k if sunny but only 110 if rainy so regardless they are flying by us. France is very open and flat much like the central portion of California. Large amounts of ag land with small sections having cattle. One area had corn growing but there were other sections being plowed for new crops. The motorway is a toll road but we are moving through this area as quickly as we can to get to the mountains where the roads will be much more what a motorcycle is built for. We stop for the night about 40k from reaching Reims in a little place called the Ever Hotel with an adjoining restaurant.

Deb is working on the remaining UK photos and we will get those loaded as soon as the internet connection lets us.

Tomorrow our target is a lake side campgrounds in Switzerland.