St Jean Sur Mayenne

Yesterday evening as the lowering sun turned the sky from blue to pink, we sat and listened to the birdsong. So many different calls. This is one thing we will miss when we return home. We were keen to set off fairly early this morning, but at the same time a little sad to have to leave the Loire especially on such a glorious day. As we crossed the bridge at Saumur we could feel the pull of the river. It looked so beautiful. Driving along the levee that restrains the river from flooding the small towns along its banks we spotted a boulangerie, stopping to buy bread for lunch. Not really wanting to leave the area we sat a while looking at the river, still and peaceful. But leave we must, to tonight's stop on the river Mayenne. 

As we drove pass popular trees, banks of bluebells and fields of asparagus where harvesting was in progress, we took the time to take in the beauty that surrounded us. The roads were quiet and we could take our time, or apparently not. A lorry driver appeared sounding his horn and flashing his lights. Alright man with small anatomy I can go slower if you like. You tell him Marge! I prefer Spanish lorry drivers. So does Angela, so much more patient. We held our ground and luckily escaped his intimidation when we turned onto an even quieter road making sure we signalled a response to his behaviour.  Realising that the aire tonight may well be our last chance to cook on our outside grill we stopped to buy sausages, which should have taken a few minutes. No, even though it was lunchtime and the supermarket quiet the lady serving at the checkout seemed to know most of the customers asking after husbands, daughters, sisters and probably Dutch uncles. 

(Cyclist accommodation, a fixed tent with table and seating below)

Tonight's aire is yet another former campsite. Twelve euros paid we settled Marge in a very nice hedged bay. Nice hey Marge. Toilets, showers, washing up facilities and electrical hook up are all included in the price.

A walk alongside the river Mayenne then into the town devoid of shops as a Carrefour supermarket is on the outskirts made us feel a little sad that the lifeblood of the small town had been sucked away.

We took a look at the chapel and then walked through a glade along side the river Ernee where we came across two goats who seemed surprised to see us.

Back at Marge, sausages sizzling nicely we could hear bagpipes playing. The sound seemed out of place but at the same time enjoyable. 

Tomorrow we will drive up to the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy. We are ten miles from Chateau de la Motte Husson. Who knows, our route may take us right by. Angela you're such a stalker! No I'm not Marge.

Now if Marge had produced a 4 wheeled child.....