Dodging the rain through beautiful countryside

      Yesterday was a Long circuitous ride, trying to bypass Calais.  I woke up to pouring rain and considered holding off another day, however, the show must do on.  The rain stopped, at least for a while, and found my way out of town. Seven miles down the road, the skies opened up.  Fortunately, I found a plexiglass covered bus stop right across the street.  Waited an hour and continue.  My GPS on the bicycle setting took me through the countryside on the most tranquil tiny roads.  The only hassle here is the route was hard to follow and added on several miles more of riding.  The cow manure was omnipotent and the people friendly. The word 'Provincial' was derived out here!  No one spoke a word of English and they looked at me, with all my gear,  like I was ET.  With thirty miles behind me and in need of sustenance, I found another covered bus stop just as the skies opened up again.  Someone was watching out for me.  On the road again, my last twenty-seven miles seemed to get more circuitous.  The damn app led me onto a dirt road which was virtually impassable.  The bike got buried in mud and I ended up pushing for 900 meters.  Ok enough, I just wanted to get to Boulogre-sue-mer.  I should have stayed on a major R road but I stayed with the GPS.  This app leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to getting in an out of cities. Exhausted, at long last, I found a  hostel. In the city it was a well kept secret and my poor French speaking abilities mad it worse. The receptionist found a bucket and brush whereupon I scrubbed mounds of dried mud off my bike.  Lesson learned: know when to follow the sun and rely less on the GPS. The maps I have come into play just down the road.   Today, I have my sites set on Le Treport.   Let's hope for a direct route with nice scenery and fewer wrong turns.  Alas, the sun is shining!