July 31: "¨Getting ready"
A good night's sleep in our brand new sleeping bags. (I was in the top
bunk bed in a room of 4 and did not dare turning over in my bed for fear of
disturbing the girl sleeping in the bunk below: an unexpected experience at
my age : 58½ years old...) After reassembling the bicycle (it took
an hour) which was in perfect condition, a short shopping trip downtown. The
start of the day was bright sun accompanied soon by violent wind (gusts up
to 36 km/h which dearly tried Anne's nerves because of my erratic steering
when it attacked us from the side). Then rain which allowed us to test our
bad weather clothing. Rather disappointing: despite cycling only half an hour
in the rain showers, we were a little wet upon our return! What stress:
Yves didn't manage at all to ride in a straight line with the gusts of wind.
How will he manage in the next 1500 km? PA.A…NIIC!!! Fortunately, in
the evening in my dormitory, one of my roommates who was at the end of her
Iceland tour, reassured me by saying that she had never seen such a strong
wind as today's in Reykjavik! I felt reassured and fell asleep a little less
heavy hearted.