Last Day on the Continent

Today was a 25-mile push through wind, rain, and traffic to get within a stone’s throw of the Dunkirk ferry terminal.

This part of the world was completely rebuilt after World War II, so it lacks the charm of, say, Bruges. As giant trucks roared by and showered us with filthy water, Lyle announced that this was a depressing last day on the European continent. 

Ruby added that if she could change one thing about this trip it would be to make all the cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motorbikes — especially the motorbikes — quiet.

But even as the kids made these observations, they were whistling cheerfully and maintaining their stoker duties like signaling when it was time to cut across lanes and letting us know when the road behind was clear. They have really mastered their tandem skills and are great cycling companions, rain or shine.

Our hotel is 3 km from the ferry terminal. Luckily for us, the rooms were available at midday when we arrived, and we made full use of them for cleaning and drying ourselves and our gear. 

We even did laundry (sodden, muddy clothes from today) in the hotel sink and hung everything out to dry in the “back yard” outside our rooms. Classy!

There are a couple of donkeys and a pony in the pasture just beyond our laundry line. I hope they bray for us tomorrow morning as we depart for the ferry to England.

— Liv