Day 16 to Day 21 through France

Having trouble finding internet access and when I do getting it to work -so finally an update.

Got the ferry with no problems, taken onto the boat first with the Harley Davidson motorbikes. Had a meal in the cafeteria and was called over to sit with a lady going to visit her French property who just insisted I share her bottle of wine with her; cabin to myself so I got a sleep. No problems getting out of St Malmo, headed south into very quiet open country,stayed to the west of Rennes, and stayed at Prelan-le-Grand in Brittany 65 miles.
Day 17 to Anciens on the Loire 84 miles but beautiful quiet cycling on b roads loads of wild flowerrs very green, sounds of bullfrogs, cricketts but few cars, deer crossing the road. Crossed the river.

Monument to French Resistance

Day 18 66 miles cycling through Loire wine country, as Lou Reid said 'its just a perfect day' stayed at a b anb equivalent, but ate with the lovely host family, different wine with each course, a real hardship.

Ruined castle at St Germain de Confolens

at Sothern end of R. Vienne

Day 19 reached the Vienne river and cycled part way down, wide valley and quite flat, avoiding large towns where possible; stayed at a 'B and B' that was the home of the descendents of the scientist Camille Guerin who invented the BCG vaccine. They were very hospitable and kindly gave me a personal tour of the family momentos.

Day 20- To Mountbeof,  hilly central French countryside. 90 plus miles as trying to reach Bergerac by Saturday and could not find anywhere to stay- eventually directed to the equivalent of a Y.H.A. I thought great, but it was all booked by a family reunion party. However they would not let me leave and insisted I try each family member's food and drink speciality and what can I say .....I gatecrashed their party!
Day 21, an epic 107 miles to reach Eymet below Bergerac left at 07.30 and did not arrive until 20.30 shattered. Throughout the day I had passed and then been overtaken  by  2 Belgian cyclists who were cycling to Spain. Their gps navigation system might have saved me a few miles. 

 

Now have a weeks' holiday before resuming cycle trip next sunday with Matthew Hopefully photos to follow