Pont aux Celles to Floreffe

More canals today through more industrial areas. Finally through all of that now and glad of it. Met more kindness from the Belgians though, with one chap cycling out of his way to show us how to find a cycle path through Charleroi. Weather still hot and sunny but suffered a bit in a headwind this afternoon. We were rewarded for our efforts by finding a very picturesque village to camp near complete with an old abbey.

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Total Distance Cycled : 559km

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Daily Distance Cycled : 56km

Ascent : 308m

Time Cycling : 3h 53

Average Speed : 14.3km/h

Campsite : N 50°25'26" E 04°46'23"

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Oisquercq to Pont aux Celles

Short day today, stopping before Charleroi due to a lack of campsites. Bit of a grim post industrial area, the usual canal towpath taking us past many derelict factories, which would explain the lack of camping facilities. After enjoying the afternoon sun, we wandered into the local village in search of a pub. Sat next to some very friendly locals who bought us drinks and told us all about the local sport. Sounded like a version of volleyball without a net. Everyone wears a glove and uses it to bat a small ball to the opposing team without letting it hit the floor. At least that's what our limited French led us to believe.
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Total Distance Cycled : 503km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 41km
Ascent : 468m
Time Cycling : 2h 52
Average Speed : 14.2km/h
Campsite : N 50°30'15" E 04°23'54"
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De Gavers to Oisquercq

Awoke to a misty morning. Said goodbye to our neighbours, on a cycle tour to Santiago. They weren't as friendly as our Dutch neighbour the night before who kept trying to give us stuff like some spare tarpaulin. I think he was just trying to get rid of stuff, as his panniers looked like they'd exploded over the camp, and would be impossible to repack. More cycle routes, zigzagging across Belgium, working our way South and East. Managed to cycle over the same hill twice this afternoon, after taking a wrong turn looking for the campsite.

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Total Distance Cycled : 462km

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Daily Distance Cycled : 55km

Ascent : 377m

Time Cycling : 4h 13

Average Speed : 12.9km/h

Campsite : N 50°39'44" E 04°13'45"

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Day off in De Gavers

Decided to give ourselves a rest after cycling 400km. Spent most of the day by the lake that our camp's on the edge of. Watched schoolkids on pedalos and also strange floating bicycles, that were like a bike surf board hybrid These pedal powered jet skis were quite unstable and often sent their riders into the lake. We contemplated joining them, but decided we should have a day off from pedalling, and stayed lounging in the shade. We thought we should send one of the bike boards home for James, we could just picture him pedalling down the canal to work on one!

Oudenaarde to De Gavers

Late start, did our food shopping in Oudenaarde market day. Managed to find the only hills in flanders to cycle up (I think Luke does it on purpose). Had a bit of trouble finding the Vlaanderen Fleiteroute (long distance cycle path) and wasted time doubling back and scratching our heads. Eventually dallied long enough till the next cyclists went past and just followed them It was scorching hot, a random hotel in the middle of nowhere materialised and we joined the owner on her porch for a drink. She directed us on to a campsite, only another 15km away.
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Total Distance Cycled : 407km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 42km
Ascent : 238m
Time Cycling : 3h 22
Average Speed : 12.6km/h
Campsite : N 50 ° 47'29" E 03° 55'25"
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Bruges to Oudenaarde

Navigated out of Bruges with the help of a friendly local, who stopped to offer directions without even being asked. Straight onto another canal tow path heading into the countryside. The canals here are about 4x wider than those at home, and still full of big freight barges, rather than the pleasure boats you get at home. Our Belgian maps appear to be a bit out of date, as the campsite we were aiming for had apparently shut years ago. We then spent the next 20km in search of another campsite. Finally the GPS got us to one that none of the locals seemed to know about.
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Total Distance Cycled : 365km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 80km
Ascent : 68m
Time Cycling : 4h 55
Average Speed : 16.1km/h
Campsite : N 50 ° 50'27" E 03° 34'41"
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Zeebrugge to Bruges

Luke's shoulder nearly popped out of it's socket carrying the panniers back down into the hold, just to add to the hair raising experience of sitting on a bike next to a dozen articulated juggernauts. But we got off the ferry before the rest of the hoards and were first to the passport control. As soon as we exited the ferry port, there were signs for the bike route to Bruges, and even lorries stopped for us at roundabouts to let us cross first. We had arrived in cycle heaven! We headed out into Flanders along poplar lined canals. On arriving at the hostel in Bruges unfortunately we found they'd been double booked, we would be forced to go next door to the three star hotel for a free upgrade to a room with ensuite and breakfast. Poor us. It's not champagne, but it'll do.
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Total Distance Cycled : 285km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 27km
Ascent : 68m
Time Cycling : 1h 50
Average Speed : 15kmh
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Bielby to Hull

We finished our coast to coast route with a cycle path following the Humber estuary and under the Humber bridge. Then onto the ferry port with plenty of time to spare. The ferrymen took a liking to us, and let the poor cyclists onto the ferry first. Much fun was had hauling all our panniers up 5 decks to our cabin! If only we'd discovered the lift earlier. We were tuckered, so went to bed super early and missed the whole crossing including the amazing caberet.
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Total Distance Cycled : 258km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 58km
Ascent : 122m
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Netherby to Bielby

Our route today took us skirting through the south of York. Luke took us the way of the ninja on bike paths and over the millenium bridge. We even went past the house where he lived as a trainee nurse. 40km already by lunchtime, and with the dales behind us we flew along lovely flat countryside.
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Total Distance Cycled : 200km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 67km
Ascent : 226m
Time Cycling : 4h 05
Average Speed : 16.3km/h
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Gargrave to Netherby

Enjoyed a hearty fried breakfast courtesy of James, and all of a sudden we alone in the wilds of Yorkshire. How would we cope? Our route took us through the south of the Dales along with a multitude of day tripping cyclists who all burned past us to leave us floundering in their wake with all our heavy gear. A few slowed down for long enough to admire our shiny new bikes and ask where we were heading. We took great delight in telling them we are off to the Black Sea! Arrived at our destination to find the campsite was a caravan park. Slight concern over whether they would allow tents, but no need to worry, as there was room at the inn and even a bar. Very handy for thirsty cyclists!
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Total Distance Cycled : 133km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 57km
Ascent : 455m
Time Cycling : 4h
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Austwick to Gargrave

Late start, partly due to waiting for the rain to stop. Cycled in improving weather past Settle to a campsite at Gargrave to meet James, who'd come especially to be the final goodbye, bearing more champagne to toast the trip. Who'd have thought cycle touring would be so luxurious! Spent the evening in The Mason's Arms, already feeling like we were in a foreign country as the pub was packed with yorkshire folk.

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Total Distance Cycled : 75km
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Daily Distance Cycled : 46km
Ascent : 445m
Time Cycling : 3h 20
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Lancaster to Austwick

At last! After much last minute faffing, we finally left Lancaster at 5pm! Followed the Lune cycle path out of town, then joined the road onto Wray and Bentham. Spurred on by thoughts of the bottle of champagne in Luke's pannier, we raced the settting sun to get to a campsite before it got warm. As most hobos will confirm, newspaper is a surprisingly effective insulator, and we enjoyed toasting our trip with cold english fizz once we'd put the tent up. Unsurprisingly it started raining for the first time in weeks. Of course the hottest April in 50 years had to end in time for our depature.
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Total Distance Cycled = 29km
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Total Ascent = 192m
Time Cycling = 1h 53
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A test of the GPS round Lancaster

Today we walked around with the GPS and tested putting the trail onto a map...