there's got to be a morning after (Lille to Dieppe)

OK, so it wasn't a total disaster, but the theme song from The Poseidon Adventure was the best I could do. I HATE DRIVING ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!!! Why? Because it changes everything. Suddenly I can't seem to judge where I am and I keep drifting towards the gutter - which frightens Jayne. The roads are narrow and the locals speed - red rose speedway style.

Day 1 was difficult. It was like being a driver for the first time. I don't like my car. It's a Citroen C5 with one of those automatic-I want to be a manual gearboxes-so everytime it changes gears we have a slow down issue. And then the roads! One way streets, people parked on the road, on the footpath, wherever. The GPS in the car, despite having a soothing female voice, provided information about turns to make, or roads to take, too late ... so we drove the same roads in Lille for 30 minutes or so before we worked her out. THEN, we stopped and plugged our GPS in and resorted to the calming voice of John Cleese, but at least he provides road advice early enough.  Most of the time.

So, for those that know me well, you'll know what a control freak I am. Here I am in a plethora situations where I have no control. I don't really know where I'm going, I don't feel comfortable in the car I'm driving, I don't know the road rules and in some cases can't work out the speed limits. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.

For example: driving down a major motorway, I know there will be a toll, but what are we confronted with? A monstrous sign that says 'ticket'. I don't have a ticket. Was I supposed to get one? From where? Jayne is flicking through guide books trying to find out what to do. Finally, I coast into a toll booth, unpersoned, to find that you push a button to take a TICKET! That would have been useful information in the Lonely Planet Guide.

Road speed limits change, but much like Ireland, they don't feel the need to signpost them. Obviously they have some other sign that reverts to a seriously faster speed limit than the one I'm travelling at because everyone wants to overtake me.

It was a REALLY STRESSFUL DAY FOR BOTH OF US. I've always thought Jayne deserved a medal for tolerating me for all these years, but she deserves the highest honour for the first day of driving.

Anyway, we stopped at Boulogne-Sur-Mer for coffee and respite. It is a very pretty little town with a castle and medieval wall, and like so many towns in northern France, a military history, although this time it is World War 2.

The town square

Notre Dame

The castle

And so, we arrived at our destination, Dieppe, a pretty little sea port. Our room had been upgraded. That was the best news of the day. A large room with views over the sea. We decided to walk into town to find a supermarket. No rush, it's light till late, the rain has gone, although it is still windy (and cold). We wander to the far end of the beach, but two streets back in the township.

Nice sand, eh?

Finally, we found a marche and bought our requisites. On the way home it began raining. The wind was cold and it was like being back on the Somme again. Then the hail started. It was only small, but we had no umbrella because we had left in sunshine. Once again we arrived home wet and cold.

Today was day 2 behind the wheel. I was better, still not 100% comfortable, but getting there. We stopped at Rouen on the way to Caen. This will be our base for the next 5 days to explore the Normandy area.

Rouen was a fascinating stopover. There was, of course, the ubiquitous Notre Dame Cathedral, but the real point of interest was the church dedicated to Joan of Arc.

Church de Jean D'Arc

The site of her executuion

A one-handed clock. Go figure.

St David

Inside Notre Dame, Rouen

And so tonight we are resting in Caen after cooking for ourselves for the first time since we left home on April 9th. Dinner and two bottles of French wine cost around 12 Euros which is about $15. Nice!