Day 270
Harrison (not Ford)
We had arrived at Harrison's last night. He and his friend Suzi could not have been kinder or more welcoming. Tom's wrist was swollen from his crash, so he was provided with endless ice packs. Harrison cooked us a fantastic meal and also entertained us as he sang and played the guitar. It was wonderful, especially after two years of lockdown. To be sat on the deck, overlooking the ocean, listening to Harrison, as the sun set, was one of the highlights of the trip so far. It fuelled our souls.
In the morning we were again spoilt with a great breakfast, even trying grits, which we loved. With cheese got Tom’s vote, with honey for me!
To give you a flavour of what an amazing, creative and funny guy Harrison is, here is his feedback on us from Warmshowers:
“It was tough hosting Tom and Debs. The hardest part was watching them leave. I and friend Suzi were torn about kidnapping them both for a longer visit. If you get a request for hosting them contact me a I'll come get them.
I'm sure they will have the same effect on you and I'm jealous about that. Don't look at any of their photos or blog unless you are prepared for enticement to quit working, rent or sell your home, grab your bike and travel. I put my for sale sign up 2 hours after they left.
Our lives are enriched because of sharing time and conversation with the two of them.
Happy travels. Tom, remember to keep your pretty side up when riding.
Harrison obviously not Ford”
What a guy!
Finally we tore ourselves away. We had a sweet 10 miles to ride to the Dauphin ferry, when there we chatted away with fellow passengers, all so kind, interesting and helpful. The ferry was a lot smoother crossing than Santander to the UK! Once on the island we rode through near deserted palm lined boulevards to the most awesome bridge. The current bridge was built in 1982, replacing the previous one which was destroyed by Hurricane Frédéric in 1979. Today we had it virtually to ourselves, so the crossing was fun.
We now had a target of a drop-box in Pascaguela. Tom had ordered a new saddle to be delivered there. Brooks had done a great job rebuilding his old saddle, but, as they warned, it wasn’t ideal for Tom and so it proved. We had left the other Brooks saddle they had kindly given us back in the UK. So he has decided to try an Ergon, fingers crossed! The route took us along quiet backs roads, we had a conversation with a local guy but I think we all struggled to understand each other, same language but very different accents!
Saddle collected, two more smooth bridge crossings and we were at Shepard State Park campsite. We hadn’t booked, there was no one about. We popped our primitive camp spot fee of $13 in the honesty box and settled down for the night.
