Saturday, September 15, 2018

14th September (sunny and warm) 33 km


Was a bit cool in the night for the first time in France, however was only sleeping in undies, so it couldn’t have been that cool. Ju had gone over to the TV room where the wifi was so she could post the blog whilst I potted around in the tent, putting away sleeping bags and what not. When I saw Dad emerge from his tent, he didn’t look to onto it.
“Good sleep?” I asked.
“Terrible” says Dad.
Another terrible night's sleep for Jimmy
I thought it was because of the rock hard ground that we’d pitched on, but no, apparently he’s been suffering from severe cramp every night since we began. Can’t seem to shake it and he wakes up with legs shaking from it. He struggles in the sleeping bag, turning over and trying to get comfortable and also just being in the tent itself and trying to operate within it. It’s interesting getting someone else’s perspective on life in a tent, on rock hard ground for more than a weekend. He’s eighty five, but fit, however I don’t think he’ll be rushing out to go camping again in a hurry.
Ju and I cycled off to find a supermarche. There was one just down the road. What a mission to find this place, finally located it in a shopping mall. Back for brekky and then because we weren’t  leaving until lunchtime, due to a shorter distance to be covered today,
Second swim of the tour - woohoo!

Ju had a swim in the camp pool plus a sunbathe, whilst I packed up the gear and tent. Turns out I wouldn’t have been able to swim in there anyway as they don’t allow board shorts. A big sign depicting what was acceptable and what wasn’t, right in front of the gate. Only speedos….togs …togs….togs… undies…or swimming trunks. Nothing about no birthday suits and with the heat rising, I was tempted to test out their rules of acceptability.

Rolled out of camp at midday and along the Loire on a gorgeous track for the first ten kms, before we stopped to brew a coffee and eat a nectarine and some chocolat aux pain. The riding so far had been tree lined and riverside. The colours of autumn showing through. 


Picnic stop
Top of the hill and great views all round
Passed through a beautiful little village called La Pointe, which had a lot of character and looked very affluent.  We had a couple of climbs in this section and Dad coped with them admirably, however he suddenly didn’t seem quite so keen to do 40km today, which he thought would be a good distance when we were riverside and in the shade.

Pete managed to evade the paps again

Upon arriving at our destination, Chalonnes-sur-Loire, we had a couple of busy bridges to cross which were a bit of a trial for Dad.  We had our own cycle lane but it was busy and scary.  Got through that and into a riverside campground where we gratefully sat in the office, eating an ice-cream and chatting to the owner. 
Ju then patched the tent while I helped Dad put his up – yes, already we have a small hole in the apex of one of the pole sleeves.  Other than that, we are happy enough so far with the tent.  It hasn’t really been tested yet though.  We all got showers and did a bit of handwashing before Ju and I shot to the bank and the supermarket.
A nice meal at one of the tables with a young Frenchman called Batiste who is walking from Angers to Nantes. He provided us with good conversation, in well spoken English about all sorts of topics of French culture, politics, sport etc. He was a really nice young man and we wish him well. Dad decided he was off to bed shortly after 8pm whilst Ju and I sat blogging and talking. It appears that a lot of French campsites close this weekend, so that could be really interesting. Apparently, Spain and Portugal don’t have a lot of campsites, so that is even more interesting.
Pic taken from our campground - looks so peaceful and serene.....

As we turned in for the night, next to a main road, with hoons flying up and down the strip on their motorbikes and cars, we thought that perhaps this wasn’t going to be our best nights sleep. Next, we hear all sorts of screaming and gunshots as the young guy in the tent next to Dad’s decides to watch a movie at very high volume.  Dad struggled out of his tent and told the guy to turn it down, which he did for a short while before turning it up again. Looks like we’re in for a doozy of a night. Goodnight Mary-Ellen……goodnight John Boy………..

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