Day 32: Still in Reims

Following the out and out success that was my first ever couchsurf, I elected to stay in reims and continue kipping on random floors for free.

Headed out to meet Thomas, host number 2. Instantly likeable character who gave me directions to his house as he was driving and I, of course, was with bike and associated crap. Unfortunately these directions took me the wrong way down a one way street that was made even more hectic by extensive tram installation works. Anyway I got there after a few shouts from the locals.

Thomas is mental into climbing so we went to the indoor bouldering centre in the afternoon. I have only ever scaled the side of teh climbing frame in Rouken Glen Park so this was pretty exciting! Sadly my arms tend to do nothing excpet support the odd rollup so I don't think that climbing will be my new triumph but I enjoyed in nonetheless.

Following this experience I decided that constant cycling is not the way forward on this trip. A few solid days here and there are all well and good to notch up the miles (and get to where I'm meant to be) but the fun is in meeting new folk and seeing new things, neither of which are possible when staring at the road and concentrating on not getting flattened by speeding lorries.

Back to my new flat, in which I had my own room, for some chilling and beer and banter. One of the beers was a bit rogue: from Brussels and smelt suspiciously of sick. Anyway the second was rather more enjoyable, as was the chatter with Thomas and his mate. Off to the pizza shop then to a pub named "The Pub of the Joking Troll". Metallica playing as we entered and cider on the menu. Ahhh, nice. Thomas and his mates were total geeks meaning that they were really sound folk with funny stories of geekery and such. I liked them all. I also liked all the beer I had, of which there were many, including one with pink elephants on the bottle and one that looked like this:
Back to Thomas' friend's house for some guitar hero. Thats right. Guitar hero. And I loved it! Not played it for years now but I soon found my rhythm and the three of us had a great time! Total geek core, as a certain Mr Yates would say.