Beaugency

 

What would today bring? Well, free grapes off a vine growing wild, coffee at Blois, a heavy burst of rain which we managed to shelter from and then just as we were ready to set off again John's gear shifting cable, inner and outer, snapped. Oh joy! After a repair that allowed him some gears we headed on to Beaugency a pretty little town beside the river Loire where we've stayed before in our camper van. We'd cycled well over thirty miles by the time we arrived only to be told at the office of tourism that we'd cycled past the nearest bicycle repair shop. So we cycled back a few miles. Thankfully, John's bike was repaired. The day's events were far from over. Arriving at the campsite, we erected our tent just in time before the heavens opened. One minute we're gasping in temperatures of thirty plus, the next we're wringing water out of our socks. Oh Marge, we're missing you.

Chaumont - sur - Loire

The roar of gas burners from the hot air balloons that passed over the campsite just after seven awoke Angela. A fantastic sight, the sun coming up picked out their colours. Today we would take it a little easier. Other cyclists say it's all about the journey. Yes, but it's also about eating enough calories, drinking enough fluid and applying cream to all the right places! Once again temperatures in the low thirties, not ideal for cycling, especially as the route today took us up some hills. Our lunchtime stop under the trees at Chaumont-sur-Loire where we found shade under some trees was enough cycling for today. From here we cycled two minutes to the campsite by the river loire. Ten euros. That'll do nicely!

 

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.