Our campsite is handy to the promenade, so we cycle along it in the morning then across the back of the beach, on sand. The only sound from the bird reserve are shots as ducks are blasted out of the blue sky!
The coast route is hilly, but worth it for the cliff top views and the picturesque seaside villages at each dip down to the sea. Very suddenly a sea mist comes in and we are enveloped in a real pea-souper for the last 15 miles into DIEPPE.
At the ferry port, one boat is due to depart at 6.00pm. This is completely booked up and there is a waiting list. Thankfully we want the next early morning one, as we don't fancy arriving in Newhaven at night. We are pleasantly pleased to be only charged 25 euro per person at this peak time. Now we have the evening to explore the old port. As it is Saturday a busy market is in full flow around the large central church, and there are pleasure and fishing boats jostling for space on the busy harbour.
Sitting at a restaurant window table we watch a few heavy drops of rain suddenly become a prolonged deluge. Our poor bikes and panniers are soaked through and the street water rushes round the wheels. We spin our meal out until the rain stops around 10 pm. The TV in the restaurant shows a weather alert for northern France. We cross a swing bridge in the town centre and return to the ferry terminal where a security guard lets us and 3 other cyclists spend the rest of the night inside.
Thankfully the storm had no wind so we enjoy a calm sailing to NEWHAVEN at 5.30 next morning. National Cycle Route 2 takes us put of the town, along a very rough track and then across the cliff tops to Brighton seafront and past the famous Grand Hotel, to Hove. Here we are installed in niece Claire's mews cottage for a few days.
Whilst our tent drys in their courtyard, we walk along the promenade as the wind picks up, crashing powerful waves onto the pebbly beach.
Despite the warning red flag, almost wrenched off it's pole in the gusts, kite surfers race over the crests at frightening speeds.
With a day to spare for sightseeing, we have a very windy walk, taking in the Royal Crescent, the Pavilions, the narrow streets of the Lanes and consume fresh fish, chips and mushy peas by the beach.
We book a van for the one way trip back to Exeter, avoiding a ride into the strong head winds. All that is left now is to warn family and friends that we are homeward bound!
Total miles on tour 4,500
Location:ST VALERY to BRIGHTON
