Mezin to Aire-S-L'Adout

Hotel last night, although probably only " a 2 star ", provided a very good meal with bottle of wine, so that was quite an unexpected treat!  Today, a trip to one of France's numerous pharmacies  in order to replenish my sunscreen, as the hot weather continues. We are obviously nearing the Pyrenees and Spain as this town has a bullring. Passed numbers of pilgrims today on the Camino bound walk.    44 miles.

Sunday 17 May Eymet to Mezin

Today we leave holiday cottage and say our farewells to Kath the owner (and her pets) to continue the cycle trip.  Matthew is with me on a recently purchased secondhand mountain bike, which is fairly hard going as we are on roads all the time. Strawberry fields give way to miles of natural , mixed forest. Headed for Mezin as it looked on the map like a reasonably big town that would have accommodation and meals, which it does! Booked into a small bar/hotel. 

52 miles today.

Eymet

Having a good weeks' break in Eymet, near Bergerac- still cycling however. Continue the cycle to Spain hopefully with Matthew on Sunday. 

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

Day 14 -Reading to Portsmouth

Portsmouth bound with Daniel for company and the weather is perfect for cycling!

Day 13 - Banbury (Milcombe) to Reading, 54 Miles

Beautiful day cycling through English countryside with Daniel passing cricket fields, Renault F1, bypassed Oxford and crossed the River Thames. Daniel didn't make me feel I was holding him up.

Arrived in Reading in good time to have a look around. Walked along the river and saw goslings and ducklings and passed Reading Gaol where Oscar Wilde spent time. Helen (niece) and parnter Nick have just arrived and we are having fish pie for dinner.

On to Portsmouth and overnight ferry to France tomorrow.

Day 12 -Worcester to Milcombe/Banbury. 43 miles

Keith, Daniel, Christine and Tilley

Began off wearing my waterproofs but gentle refreshing rain mostly- not like the torrent in Whitchchurch. Gentle rides through country roads to Broadway.All villages seem to be having blubell teas this weekend; all very English rural scenery and villages.
Enjoyed tea in a very proper tea room(tablecloths) and watched the locals outside-designer tripod compulsory. I began in Worcestershire,cycled through Gloucestershire,Warickshire to Oxfordshire ...a lot of hills on the second part of the route.now relaxing for day off with John and Christine and Tilley the dog.(brother and sister in-law.)

day 12 no miles, rest day.i am expecting son, Keith and nephew Daniel with fancy French racing bike to arrive this evening,i have a horrible feeling he will expect me to keep up with him on road to Reading tomorrow.