Bourbon Lancy

Last night passed quietly with no more rain. We were up at seven and away by nine. The cycle started well alongside the canal, then into the open countryside passing fields of contented Charolais cows who stopped to stare at us.At lunchtime, we stopped alongside the Loire river, the sun was out and we were able to dry our tent. It was hot, 31c, but we could see the storm clouds gathering. The route took us up some very steep hills, most of which we managed to cycle, something we would not have been able to do two weeks ago. All the time the thunder rumbled around us. Even though the going was tough we kept going. We have to, our bicycles are our transport, our legs our power.  Late afternoon we arrived in the town of Bourbon-Lancy. We'd made it. What a day. The young french couple from last night, were already on the campsite, and the Swiss lady arrived an hour after us. Then the weather changed. What a storm. We were all grateful for the communal room with television, kitchen facilities, and comfortable seating. After a night's rest we all say. Bring on tomorrow.

Decize

Last night was very warm, and this morning it took very little time to dry our tent. Today was once again forecast to be very warm so we planned to cycle just twenty-five miles along the canal lateral a'Loire. Before leaving Never's we took advantage of the free coffee on offer which we drank whilst taking in the view of the city. The cycle along the canal was fungi heaven for John. He was allowed to look, but forbidden by Angela to take any to eat. The canal cycle allowed us to take in the wildlife and dry our washing at one of our stops. At Decize we met up with some of our fellow travellers from Never's last night, including our Swiss friend. We all pitched our small tents close to the communal room as a storm is expected to night. We spent a pleasant evening eating and talking with our fellow cyclists. English, French, Swiss, German, American, our different languages did not impede us sharing stories, experiences and advice. We have missed the social side of these cycling trips, you just don't experience it in the camper van community. The French cyclists have warned us of rain for the next two days, hopefully nothing too severe. We are sure we will meet up with some of them again as we continue towards Basal.

Nevers

 Tonight we are at Nevers. The Swiss lady is here also, having arrived yesterday. Once again we have struggled with the heat, stopping frequently as and when in a shady spot. When we last cycled this route, seven or eight years ago now, Nevers was our destination. Now our adventure really begins, tomorrow we will cycle over new ground towards our goal Basel, just over the border into Switzerland. This afternoon we passed the official starting point for people cycling the Loire route to Nantes. It is now twelve days since we left the campsite just past Nantes. We think we're doing O.K.

La Charite-sur-Loire

It was midday before we left town this morning, stopping at the market to buy two quarter pieces of roast chicken and some potatoes cooked in their juices. The sun was up, and it was hot. Very, hot. We struggled to find any shade and as we cycled we couldn't believe a few days ago it had been raining. By four thirty the heat had beaten us, it was now in the thirties. The cool air drifting from the river Loire that ran alongside was welcome during the evening. John cooked himself chorizo with some chicken of the woods he'd foraged earlier. Ten minutes later he was violently sick. Chicken of the woods, chorizo or too much sun the cause. Who knows?

Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire

Delete after typing. Up as usual at seven, before the sun came up we were hopeful of better weather today. Angela walked the twenty metres to the epicerie opposite to buy pain chocolate and pain aux raisins. Each morning we leave full of buttery bakery products. What's not to like. A short cycle to town where we stopped for morning coffee before setting off into the countryside. The sun made brief appearances and we were hopeful of better weather today. At Briarre, at the Aire de Camping Car we stopped to photograph a Belgium vehicle. Imagine being stuck on the road behind a tractor towing a shepherds hut? As always John has one eye looking out for fungi, and today spotted a giant mushroom. We powered along, our fitness improving everyday, but were stopped in our tracks when John's front tyre developed a puncture. Deciding to stop cycling a little earlier today, we stopped after thirty three miles. The afternoon was warm and gave us a chance to hand wash and dry some clothing. Tomorrow we will lay in until around seven thirty, then cycle across the bridge into town where a Sunday market will be taking place.

Gien

A grey but dry start to the day. Our journey today took us alongside the river, crossing the bridge to Sully-Sur-Loire where we have stayed a few times in our camper van. Clouds heavy with rain decided to empty just as we arrived. We sat the deluge out in the entrance of the church. Today's cycle, another of nearly forty miles took us to Gien. En-route more heavy rain forced us into a bus shelter, which a large Frenchman insisted on squeezing in with us! Our compensation for the weather, a packet of French Jaffa cakes. The campsite at Gien, four stars, and just fifteen euros was right alongside the river. The camping for the cyclists were some of the best pitches on the site with views across to the church and town. A Swiss lady, we think in her seventies, who we'd spent last night next to arrived and pitched next to us. We shared a table to eat and talk about travelling until yet another heavy downpour of rain arrived.