Thoughts from the Loire

We've arrived at Beaugenty sur Loire having covered 130k yesterday, the last 45 km being the result of hunting for a campsite. Far from being a chore, this was a glorious part of the ride, through stunning rural France alongside the Loire as the heat went out of the day and the sun set. Ahhhh, beautiful...

And we've hit 500k for the journey. Only 3500 to go....

So we are ahead of schedule and enjoying a couple days off to rest the legs and attend tour admin i.e. fix flag poles, mend sunnies, charge endless paraphernalia, patch up inflatable mattresses and give clothes their first wash. Currently, we're making the most of the luxurious facilities at the wonderful Hotel du L'Abbey. Seems slightly out of character for 2 grubby touring cyclists to be found in a five star overly perfumed hotel lounge bar, but when an opportunity to charge up kit and use wifi arises, it would be rude not to grab it.

So just a couple of further thoughts/comments from the road to amuse you on Friday afternoon:

- tragedy has been averted after my fragile tv arial flagpole broke on day 3, incurring the wrath of the Tour Committee which was quickly convened to discuss a suitable penalty for lack of appropriately hoisted flag. With judgement imminent, as we cruised through a lovely rural town, I spotted a row of freshly planted sapplings along the main street. One unfortunate drooping sappling later, I was chuffed with my new bamboo flagpole. Penalty averted (to the Tour Chairman's dismay) and the Dragon is once again proudly resplendent in all its glory.

- what is it with French loos? It is apparent that has been a severe pilfering of loo seats in french camp sites. They are a chunk of porcelain away from being a long drop. And why not put locks on all the doors? I mean, come on...

- French truckers (careful now...) We seem to have worked out the best method of getting them to honk as they pass. (and I mean the horn, rather than comment further on the state of french hygiene). It's a 3 stage process : the Wave (ie we are friendly and not giving you the Bird), the Point (ie, yes, we want you to do something) and as a last resort the Pulldown, mimicking the pulling down of the horn. Seems to work. Now for tractors..

- my beard. To Cheeks' delight our most common question is where is the second beard? All I can say is give me two months and I will also look like a shaggy homeless Devonan!

- I think I could live on baguettes and pate for the rest if my life

- its 30+ degrees and not a cloud in the sky... Marvelleux!

We'll be in the Loire for the next couple of days, soaking up the scenery, les chateaux, sampling the wine and hopefully going back to the awesome Chinese restaurant we piled into last night!

Abientot

C