Thomas's cycle story #3: last kilometers of the Cycle Flag Tour and compliments to British cuisine

First I'd like to come to the final point: I arrived at Fairthorne manor. Happy. Very happy to meet some of the guys supporting me all my way down to Botley. And even it was raining I enjoyed that moment.

But you may ask: How was it? Cycling in UK!? Well … it's different. Not only because of the left-right-driving-thing, but also because of the status cyclists seem to have here. The National Network is obviously trying to develop and establish proper bike tracks but there's still a lot of work left. I was trying very hard to find a good way along the Southern coast and found a huge variety of ways the British call „cycle path“: footpaths, bridleways, side-strips on a highway, promenades, etc. And some entertainment is also included: the signposting starts and stops randomly.

Don't get me wrong. It's lovely to cycle in UK. You can see  a lot of interesting landscape and pass by several beautiful villages and towns. And just because of the difficult navigation you talk to quite a lot of people along your way. Once in a while this will take you some more time because you need to explain WHY you're traveling that way. And there's a good reason for that question - I've asked myself serveral times, too.
It. Is. Windy. Windy and flawy. And sometimes even stormy. Most of the time I was scared of my hair-do … and the remaining time I spent on complaining about hills, rain and signposting. Or maybe I was just fooling around because of that wonderful journey.

„What goes up must come down -  spinning wheel got to go round.“ - my catchy tune for these 2 days. Fittingly a song by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

And all of a sudden I arrived all the places I had on my list going West to Brighton and Southampton. MPB enjoyed the seafront and climbed the cliffs. Enjoyed head wind and leant to the side wind. Kilometer by kilometer. Mile by mile. And again there had been nice people to have a chat and talk about Volunteering and the intercultural experiences you get from doing things like that. I've learnt that much. Again. And it's so nice to realize this. I reached that certain point of happiness right before starting my last stage.


I spent the last night at Fiona's house and enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Jim – while my good old fellow (the wind) was just waiting for me at the seafront. Ready to push me ahead.

Accompanied by Fiona and the flag (!!!) MFB made its way along the seafront. Ready to meet everyone at Fairthorne Manor. As it happened during the last 5 days I met people, talked a little about the GA in Southampton and *new* awarded myself by having a proper lunch. Those who are scared of British cuisine: there is a good reason for that, but basically you can find nice meals – even in UK.