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.

Jargeau

Thankfully this morning was dry. A breeze was blowing and we managed to dry out our tent on our invaluable washing line we always carry. Morale last night had been at rock bottom. However another thirty odd miles lay before us so we were packed up and were away by just after nine, stopping to treat ourselves to pain chocolate to fuel us up. More grapes were foraged along the way. At Orleans the signage for Loire en Velo was sparse and we became lost. But that was O.K. The sun was out. That was until we were about eight miles from tonight's stop and then a few spots of rain drove us into the campsite we were passing. And then, you've guessed it, a deluge. Here we go again. By five the sun reappeared and the campsite became busy. A Citroen CV micro camper caught our eye. Angela cycled into town to find pizza. Success. This evening the sad news about the queen. Some news just makes you reflect. 

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!