Day 18 - Saint-Laurent-Sur-Sevre to Menil

Rubbish night last night, was cold, and I felt feverish. Woke up a few times. With there being no where to get food, I know I didnt eat enough last night.

Got up this morning feeling utterly rubbish, but better than last night. Eventually got going on the bike, tho was a late start at 11am before I finally was able to get off.

There was nowhere to get breakfast either. I just kept on going through one little farming village to another. So I was running on my own supplies which did get rather thin on the ground.

The ankle has started playing up again, I can feel it twinging. But you know? Its tough luck. It can twinge all it wants. The other problems I've had today is general weakness and just not feeling too great. Stomach cramps, feeling of sickness. And erm, well at one point we needed an emergency stop at the side of the road to go find a bush to do something really private. I wont say anymore. But hey, this is life on the road!

I did finally get into a large enough town, saw signs for a big supermarket. So took a detour and went there. Was fantastic, was able to get well stocked up on food. Which was needed.

Ive been very lucky with the weather too. Its actually been rather warm. Just clear skies, making it cold at night but warm during the day. Seeing high 20s on the cycle computer.

I had some real tough hills today as well, even in the lowest gears I was really struggling to get up them. This has been a tough day. Probably the toughest so far. This is the problem with taking the back roads. Steeper hills and less places to find supplies. But I tell you something, no matter how bad I feel, and Im facing a hill that I dont think I have the energy to pull myself up. You know how I get up that hill? I just look down and my shirt, and see the two charities logos on there. I think to myself: "Get your arse up that hill or you dont deserve to be wearing those logos!" Yes I am hard on myself but its the only way.

Towards the end of the day, I set the GPS for a campsite on route. It finds one, then sends me down the most ridiculous road I've ever seen. It was not a road! Then it wanted me to cycle vertically up a cliff! That wasnt a road either! So had to go around. But finally did make it to a campsite. Very happy about that.

Had a walk around the small town the campsite was in. Absolutely nowhere to get food again! Arghhh. I really cant wait to get to the UK and have the biggest greasiest fry up ever! I topped up on supplies earlier and went on overload with the sandwiches so will cane them tonight. As long as I get a filling of protein, carbs etc its good.

Despite todays difficulties. My determination is absolutely sky high the roof. I pulled off over 110km and now only have 198km to the ferry port in Caen. I am well on track for making that ferry on Thursday night! However, once I'm in the UK, I have two very long days ahead of me to get myself up north for Sunday. But right now, Im focussed on just getting to that ferry.

Todays stats
Start	Saint-Laurent-Sur-Sevre.11:00
End	Menil.18:45
Saddle Time	5 hr 57 min 54 sec.
Distance travelled	112.25km
Average Speed	18.8kph
Max speed	52.6km