Ribs, Roasting & Roubaix

So, welcome to blog number 6, and very much finding us in unchartered territory as we head into our 4th week away, by far the longest time we've been away in the van. However, it's not quite the longest we've been thrown together though, as that point will come at week 6 (longer than our first trip to New Zealand back in 2005).

The last post finished up back on Easter Monday, and with us preparing for 5 days roadside in Roubaix. I am pleased to report all preparations went well, and for Tuesday morning that included a couple of shop stops, and finally managing to navigate the recycling system! When you buy bottles of beer and wine here, you pay a deposit on the bottles, usually about 10c a bottle. Not much really, but when you are counting every penny (or cent as I should try and think of it), it does add up. Anyway, the system is pretty easy, put the bottle onto the machine conveyor, it scans the brand & size to decide if it is one the store can re-use (I assume) and once you are all done, it spits out a voucher to use in that store. For this first attempt we got £1.20 back, so definitely worth tripping over the empties for a few days!

As promised in the last blog, Tuesday was rainy day treat fund day - this is a day out (or a special experience) that doesn't fall into the weekly budget. We'd been away for almost three weeks and dealt with all sorts of weather so it felt about time! We left Camping Panorama and headed for Gent. We have visited many times before, and made our way to the usual campsite. By the time we got set up, the sun had well and truly come out, and it was a jumpers off walk into the city. We spent a very happy afternoon wandering around, checking some of the sites and enjoying a couple of beers/cavas once the rain started to fall. See, it wasn't called a rainy day fund for nothing!

The day was rounded of with a trip to our very favourite restaurant, Amadeus. We've visited here many times, and the first of which was probably about 20 years ago with my mum and step dad. At that point we had no clue what to expect, but essentially it's a quirky place with all you can eat ribs (Jase managed 2 racks) plus giant wine bottles on the table to help yourself - charged by the ruler once you are done. A real treat for sure.

Wednesday morning we were up fairly early for the short drive to Camphine-en-Pevelle which would be our base for the Paris-Roubaix race. En route we had to stop for our maiden gas fill! For years we'd been using Camping Gaz cylinders, but this proves not only an expensive option, also quite hard to find at times, so back last year, Jase installed an on board LPG tank that can be filled at fuel station. As a comparison, the old cylinder option was about £40 for around 8 litres, whereas a fill of the new system was just under £2.50 for the same volume. We reckon the system will pay for itself in about 2 months of being away.

Paris-Roubaix is known as the "Hell of the North", partly as it runs across much of the muddy land so famous for WW1 battles, but more in the cycling sense as it is one of the longest classic races, and although largely flat has 29 sections of cobblestones. The race distance is 260km with over 50kms being on cobbles, or for a more accurate description, think farm track. Having seen these first hand, it is beyond me why anyone would ride a road bike across such a thing, let alone race them!

Once set up in our spot, we headed for a cuppa with Rusty and Kay (having not seen them since lunch before Flanders, and with Kay now sporting a broken foot!). As is often the way, a cuppa turned into an impromptu lunch, rounded off with an amazing roast chicken dinner which Kay managed to create in their camper - truly fabulous!

At this point, brief pause to see how the finances were looking - just under the £250 weekly budget again, so all good.

Thursday dawned very windy and wet at times. The bonus of being parked up right next to a section of cobbles is that you get to see a lot of the pro teams doing the recces. We also found the area to be really good for hares too, so another photo opportunity not to be missed.

Friday was a nicer morning and Jase got out for a ride with Rusty and Willy (his Belgian friend). On the ride back Jase was very star struck to meet one of his riding heroes, as well as getting buzzed by a couple of the pro teams!

Saturday was another brighter start, so as the sportive was on (6,000 mad fools doing this one), Jase and I headed out for a 7mile walk around some of the course to offer some well deserved encouragement. Once back at the layby, we joined Rusty and Kay for drinks and a lovely al fresco lunch in the sun.

Sunday was race day, and started a bit damper than anyone hoped. Unlike the Flanders race, this is one pass only, or one photo opportunity! That said, the race wasn't due until 4.45pm so most of the day was spent sitting in the sun, enjoying a few drinks, nibbles and some lovely company. When race time came, Jase and I headed up the cobbles for a great viewing spot. I wasn't sure what to expect from this race, but I was totally blown away. The look of sheer pain on the faces of athletes at the top of their game was incredible. I did manage to get another shot of the world champion who ended up the winner, although the experience was saddened by news of one of the young riders losing his life due to a cardiac arrest, rather than an accident.

Once the race was over, the big pack up began, and we were very sad to wave Rusty and Kay off to get her foot sorted back in the UK. Once the dust settled, we were 1 of about a dozen vans to be staying the final night.

So, as Monday dawned, it marks a whole 5 nights off grid - by far the most we've ever done. Pretty much all supplies lasted well. As much as this whole thing is an adventure, there are challenges along the way. Now, being ensconced on a campsite, after my first proper shower for a few days, I can say it was a great experience!

On the way to our site (Saint Amaund-Les-Eaux), we passed a Canadian WW1 cemetery and took the opportunity to lay the small rock that we brought back from our recent trip to Canada. Bringing something of home to these men & boys that lost their lives, felt right.

In time for the blog, my sister has again posed a set of questions which kept me thinking!
What 2 things do we miss the most
What 2 things did we think we would miss, but don't

• neither to be family or friends as that is a given!

For me I would say the things I miss are 1) an oven (although Kay's roast has put that one back a bit!) and 2) some of my kitchen gadgets (like mixers and things). For the things I thought I might miss that would be 1) my dishwasher (it's been nice going back to having a chat over the dishes!) and 2) my shower (campsite showers are, in the main, pretty good so far at least!)

From here on we are heading into the Ardennes I think, and with some more good weather on the horizon, fingers crossed.

Til the next instalment, stay safe all J&J xx