Amboise

After a grey start the temperature soared. How far would we be able to cycle today? Keen to pass through Tours as reports of people having their tents cut open and possessions stolen meant staying overnight there was a no! The cycle route through the city was badly signed and we became lost. On the plus side we passed the stunning cathedral. By mid afternoon the temperature was well into the thirties. We were both tired and emotional! It had just passed six when we arrived at the campsite at Amboise. We have stayed here before, when we cycled this way around eight years ago. John was on the computer system. 'He is famous', said the lady at the reception. Today we cycled nearly forty miles! Not bad for a couple of oldies. 

Langeais

A long hard day cycling in the heat, temperature high twenties. It was nice to pass through familiar areas we had driven through and stayed in Marge earlier this year. Our campsite for the night, expensive at sixteen euros was diabolical. The reception building tired, the showers, we can't even describe. A young man from Loch Carron travelling by train to the alps was our companion for the evening. During the night a storm raged. where are you Marge?

Saumur

Our alarm was set for seven this morning in order to dry out our tent and leave as early as possible. The morning cycle took us across open countryside and along the river Loire where we passed the time of day with many other cyclists. The French speak English to us now we're not in Marge. What's that all about? As usual their favourite subject is Brexit! Fuelled by yet more bread and cheese we cycled thirty one and a half miles today and tonight our campsite has four stars. There is a fantastic view across to the chateau. The temperature hit 28c today and the sun shone. What a difference a day makes.

Les Ponts - de - Ce (near Anger)

By the end of the day we'd got wet three times. Was this trip a good idea? Yes, we must be mad! Moral, was low, and we'd had to break out the emergency jelly babies. As we arrived at last nights campsite the storm was unrelenting and we had nowhere to shelter, until John noticed a small covered seating area near to the children's clubhouse. That'll do us. Eventually the weather broke, tent up, wet clothes in a tumble dryer and a hot meal inside us restored our faith in cycle camping.

Saint - Florent - Le - Vieil

 

Today ended well. Our 2 star campsite, twelve euros for the night with hot showers was just the job and to top it all the pizza van arrived just after us. The rest of the day however, was eventful. It was late morning before we left, there was no rush, we needed to ease ourselves in. The rain of the night long gone had given way to yet another hot, humid day. Drink plenty was our advice to each other. Stopping to photograph some sweet smelling cows, their look telling us they'd grown tired of the intrusion we pedalled on. The river Loire looked tired, devoid of water in places, its landscape as never seen before. Country lanes gave welcome shade and then a call from home regarding the remortgages of some of our rental properties during which John's bike fell on him, the chain ring cutting into the back of his ankle, quite deeply. Oil found its way into the wound, so Angela applied first aid then John decided some methylated spirit (which we use in our little cooker) would clean the cut. He is now sporting a large dressing and we will monitor over the next couple of days. Day three of our journey, and drama already.

Sainte - Luce - sur - Loire (near Nantes)

Before leaving the campsite at Cherbourg we needed to contact Vodafone to find out why our roaming package was not working. How reliant have we become on technology? Back in the 1960's the renowned travel writer and cyclist Dervla Murphy travelled through Asia using local maps, local knowledge and armed with a revolver. Oh no! Who was supposed to pack the revolver? Today's travelling involved three trains. No stress then. But god was with us, and despite the journey to Nantes taking around seven hours it passed without any drama. Needless to say, we were glad to arrive at a campsite just outside the city by 8 pm. Tomorrow, is all about cycling. We can't wait.