friday, 15th of august - 81 km by bike, 60 km by train, 12 km by bike

the 15 pounds hostel fee included breakfast. so i ate a good and long one to have the energy for the last 153 km as my sat nav said.

three challenges!

first: 153 km up and down, almost not possible in one day.

second: it was almost noon as i left. 

third: the charger on the bike died yesterday, for no apparent reason. doubtful that the sat nav would last until the end.

the only thing in my favour, i had already gotten 8 pounds from other guests in the hostel. 

anyway, i was happy to leave dover (the stabbing thing still present in my head), but somehow neither me nor the bike were in good shape. the bike started to make a singing sound that made me nervous. i couldn't find out where it came from. i felt rather weak and was not sure if it was me or if the bike was about to break down. i started counting kilometers. 

on a specially steep part of the road i made a bet: if i could make it without dismounting i'd get to london, otherwise i wouldn't. i made the part.

in canterbury i got a very small ham sandwich presented by a very unfriendly and slow waitress. the long wait kept me from getting wet, because it started to rain cats and dogs. as i finished the small sandwich and continued on my journey, the sun was out again. 

still hungry, but there was no restaurant to be found, that would give me some food, so i started to knock on doors. two older ladies gave me fife cereal bars and flavoured water. that was good enough for the next few miles. 

meanwhile the battery of my mobile was fading away - i got anxious about my sat nav and how to find london without it.

when the battery level sank below 35% i had to take action, because the sat nav shuts down at 20%. problem was the european plug. i started to ask people if they had an adapter and would charge my phone, but nobody had one. it was only around five o'clock, so i didn't want to find shelter for the night yet. and the problem with the plug would continue. 

then i got lucky. people sent me from one house to the next, pointing out that people there were very friendly and helpful, and at the fourth try the lady there really had an adapter and and would let me charge. and tea and biscuits and sandwiches, and interest. then her husband came - equally interested.

charging took time, so it was rather late when i left (they also gave me five pounds for the road), i tried to hurry, but there were still 80 km to go. then a big red sun set behind a barn, not much longer and the light would be gone.

lucky again (i feel that i was always lucky on my trip), there was a sign pointing to a railway station. i asked a passer by how much it would cost to london, she said about 13 pounds. exactly the amount i had. 

at the station i found out that the ticket to victoria was 13,50, but a girl helped me out . train in 6 minutes, london i'm coming! 

london is not only great because it's london, but also because i have a place to stay. at my very good friend dorothea's home. unfortunately, she wasn't home today, but left the keys at her neighbour's. 

london is quite big, even by night, so i arrived there very late. too late to wake people up. but as the temperature was ok and a bench in front of the house i spent my second night outside. who cares when you know everything will be good the next morning!