DAY 0: HORSHAM - PORTSMOUTH: 83km
FRIDAY 29 MAY

We woke up before the alarm to the sun streaming through the window - we couldn't believe our luck, it was the first nice morning of the summer so far and it also happened to be our departure day. Mum's text said it all "what a lovely day for an adventure". We got up and had a nice big bowl of porridge and the texts started to come in - wishing us well, and marvelling at our luck with the weather. We both felt really relaxed and not at all nervous about the journey ahead.

Although we were not having an official send-off party, as we wanted to keep our departure time flexible, our neighbours were keeping an eye on us and waiting to wave us off. When we were almost ready I rang Ruth who I wanted to be involved in our departure and at 8.30am, after a nice relaxed start to the day and with our neighbours out in the street to wish us well it was time to get going.

After months of preparation we're off

It was so exciting to be on our way after so much planning and Ruth followed on her trike for the 2km. Then, at the end of Robin Hood Lane as Ruth turned back to Horsham we were on our own and on our way to France.

Our first stop came sooner than we had planned - at Broadbridge Heath Post Office! Rob's knee was hurting and we stopped to buy some Nurofen as it was easier to buy some at this early stage than start looking through the neatly packed panniers.

The weight of the trailer wasn't as bad as I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised how easily (all things considered) we managed our first hill. Rob's knee was troubling him slightly and we stopped at the top so he could stretch and I took the opportunity to read more texts of encouragement that we had received since leaving home 30 minutes earlier.

The West Sussex lanes looked beautiful in the warm early morning sun

I was slightly nervous about the hill to West Chiltington as I could just about manage it on my solo bike and didn't want to think about how difficult it would be to ride the loaded tandem up it but, somehow, we made it and we knew then that there wouldn't be any hills on our route we couldn't conquer - with maybe the exception of the hill to Lacour of course!

West Chiltington suddenly felt so English




Action shot - leaving West Chiltington




Time for a cake stop at Pulborough Brooks

We left Pulborough Brooks feeling refreshed and pleased with our progress and enjoyed a pleasant ride through the wooded lanes to Amberley although we were mindful of the fact that we still had to get over the South Downs.

We felt confident we could climb Houghton Hill and the South Downs




The climb wasn't that bad - and the view was definitely worth it

There wasn't a sensible alternative route and we therefore had to follow the busy A29 and then the A27 for a while. As we passed a couple of teenage boys they watched us go past and then quietly and self-consciously clapped us. The main road turned into a busy stretch of dual-carriageway which wasn't very pleasant.

We also had to negotiate some large and busy roundabouts




However, we were soon back on to quieter roads




We were ready for lunch by the time we reached Chichester




After lunch we negotiated the gated crossing as quickly as we could

Most of the afternoon's ride took us along fairly busy main roads as again there wasn't really any choice.

We were compensated by a lovely view of Chichester Harbour

We were both feeling good, although Rob needed to stop occasionally to stretch his leg, and we really weren't noticing the extra weight of the trailer as the route was mainly flat.

We had a brief stop in Havant

We weren't expecting the hard climb to Bedhampton - but it did give us our first view of Portsmouth

On the outskirts of Portsmouth all the main roads were really busy with fast moving traffic and it got worse towards the city centre. I was terrified as we approached an enormous fast-moving roundabout and just had to put my trust in Rob and hope for the best.

Even the cycle path was full of cycle commuters with road rage

There also constantly seemed to be a lot of glass by the side of the roads which didn't help my nerves and I was pleased that the last big roundabout we came to was blocked with stationary traffic that we managed somehow to weave around.

It was a relief to get to the ferry port in one piece

Someone in the queue looked at us and smiled and said light-heartedly "You look like a pair of Liquorice Allsorts". I hadn't actually thought of it like that before but on looking at us I realised what he meant. I was there in pink and black and Rob was in yellow and black. All I could reply was "Well, it could be worse, I could be a jelly baby".

The hour wait passed quickly




Soon we were invited to board

Once on board we found our way to our cabin and were really pleased that we had paid the £10 upgrade to a twin cabin with a porthole. It felt much more spacious than the normal cabins and not having a bunk bed would mean a much better night's sleep. Plus we had the benefit of a view of course!

After a shower we went up to the beautiful restaurant and were shown to our table (the same one as last year as it happened). We weren't in a hurry to eat as it was still relatively early but we needed to secure a table as they work on a first come first served basis. We spent a bit of time drinking our apero and writing up our diaries. When we did eat, the meal was beautiful - a lovely salad buffet to start and my main course came with an amazing basil sorbet. The cheese and biscuit and dessert buffet was as good as I remembered it.

I enjoyed the freedom of the dessert buffet

We retired to our cosy cabin and I sat up in bed looking at the photos we had taken during the day, writing up my journal and reading all the texts from well-wishers that had arrived. It was lovely to know so many of our family and friends were thinking of us and I was really excited about the journey ahead.