Well today was great, tough, but great. Managed to get my first 100km+ ride in for over a year. Realise that’s pretty naff in reality, but I am actually proud of it. Fitness is increasing, and that was kind of the point of this trip. Well, that and kebabs.

Which is where I’ll start. Not so much the kebab – though I did phone one for delivery to the campsite last night. But more just yesterdays campsite, and Eric (main picture)

Eric rocked up to the campsite yesterday about tea time. On foot, massive rucksack.

He’s walking. From speaking to him, he’s always walking. Right now he’s walking from his home in Northern Belgium to Berlin. Remarkable – will take him 30 days or so.

But actually it’s just training. For next year. When he’s going to walk from Northern Belgium to Santiago d’Compostela. The Camino and some. Will take him all year. He’s not into the religious stuff though, so plans to continue to Porto. His daughter told him Porto is nice. So fair enough I guess.

I loved talking to him, a lot about Wout Van Aert and Remco. But also got small glimpses of his life. He’s recently retired, took it early on a reduced amount, but couldn’t do it anymore. Divorced 10 years, but still in touch with his kids. His daughter doubling as Mission Control for his ‘walks’. She’s booked him a hotel this eve – she sorts him one every 10 days or so. Mainly so he can get clean!

I’m not certain, but felt his divorce or maybe the cause of it has been mental health problems, I can relate to that. The divorce could just be that he walks. A lot. But I think the walking is his Prozac. Always alone, time to think he told me. A lot of time.

There was something very inspiring about the calm way he spoke of, well walking, and how that’s what he does, why he retired, 5 weeks a year wasn’t enough when you could the whole year. Just an incredible, and lovely chap.

As for me, I ordered a delivery to the campsite, minimum order 15 euro. So could a chicken kebab and a pizza. Pizza was appalling so I binned it. Kebab was delicious as usual.

There’s not much to say about todays ride. It was largely paths like the above. Or annoying cycling on pavement paths in a string of small/medium, immaculate Westfalian towns. But the bulk of it was cycling through corn or wheat fields – I imagined Theresa May herself being out of order in them as I rode. And that’s it. A great, but uneventful days riding. What I came for really.

Oh, I had a sandwich for lunch from a bakeri (?). Will put that right this eve!!

Should also give a shout out to my colleague and friend Henrike. The fact I have reservations at these busy (Long term Dutch chaos – the van next to my tent has an outdoor dart board and bar set up – I’m expecting some fun) anyway the fact I have reservations is down to her help composing my emails etc. thanks for that Henrike.

Shots from today.