Day 4 - Saumur to Tours

Hi all! I'm afraid it's just me doing the blog again tonight. Everyone is willing to help, but once I get all the pictures sorted, it's late and everyone is having a final glass of wine or they're in bed (tonight its wine in a Lebanese restaurant in the old section of Tours). I'll do my best to tell today's story - as always the pics tell the story best.

The first couple of photos are from last night. I stayed at the hotel, but everyone else enjoyed a bit of Saumur night life.

Today started foggy but once the mist cleared, the sun came out in strength. We were all happy about the sun until we started cycling. Wowser - it got hot!! The temperature got up to 31 degrees. I cycled only until mid-morning, as I didn't feel well, but the rest trudged on valiently. They cycled 50 miles but it felt like 60.

In the final few kilometres Derek put his bike in the van and went to see the gardens of Chateau Villandry with Trish. It was 2 visits in one day for Trish as she went to see the gardens earlier with me. I'm glad Derek joined us because after the visit to the chateau we drove into Tours for our hotel and the traffic was mad! A tram system is being built in the heart of the city (where our hotel is) so roads are closed, diversions are everywhere and it was rush hour!! It got a bit a tense for Trish, as it would for me, so Derek was able to help us.

Mike wanted to see the gardens as well and Joe kindly offered to guide all the other cyclists into Tours while he visited the chateau. But Mike being Mike, he doesn't like to shift responsibility, so he led his crew home. They cycled past our van as we were stuck in a traffic jam. Joe told us afterwards he was glad Mike didn't visit the chateau, it would have been crazy leading everyone to the hotel. Yup, everyone appreciates Mike's navigation abilities.

Not much else to say really - I'm getting back on the bike tomorrow for a 60 mile day. But we end in a hotel on the grounds of Chateau Chambord - the biggest chateau on the Loire. I am soo excited about getting there!! It has 365 chimney pots and a double helix staircase - how cool is that!

My hunny bunny

Hugh used to play double bass in a jazz band. This is the bar/club
where he used to play when in Saumur. Mike made sure that we
stopped in Saumur. I'm so glad he did - it's a beautiful town, even if
most of what I saw was through my hotel window.

Having fun without me :(

This was the view from my room at dawn. There was a thick fog
covering the river - you can't see the castle at all.

Derek heading out first thing in the morning.

Ahhh sweet couple.

Another view of Saumur from the bridge.

Trish walked around the town taking pics after we cycled off.

Our first morning break.

Liz and Brian by the Loire.

Comparing 6-packs

Mid-morning I was done in and quit cycling for the day. Derek called
Trish to come get me and here I'm resting while I wait. I really
needed sleep and conked out in the van as soon she got there.

Trish and I went to Villandry and took a eisurely stroll around the gardens.

Trish and I met everyone for lunch and they were exhausted. They were
cycling in hot sun with the wind against them, no wonder
Hugh is falling asleep.

Liz dishing out her delicious homemade energy bars.
Much needed today!

Lunch is over and they're back on the bikes.

Trish went back to Villandry gardens with Derek after lunch - I slept in the van.

As always - beer after a long day in the saddle.

Day 3 - Montjean sur Loire to Saumur

I took the morning off from cycling to go see the Apocalypse Tapestry in the Chateau at Angers with Trisha. We had a lovely touristy morning. And it was great to spend some time with Trish.

The mileage today was 54 miles (I did about 20). It didn't rain, in fact, the sun came out in the afternoon!! (For a few minutes.)

Derek and I changed places at lunch - I cycled, he spent the afternoon with Trish. To our great surprise we cycled up hills! We thought the route would be only along the river in the valley, but today Mike took us away from the river and up the side of the valley for a few miles.

Arriving in Saumur we got a bit confused by all the cycle routes (oh I wish the UK had that problem), but a couple of Canadians showed us the way. It was great to hear a bit of Canadian twang again.

Everyone has gone out to dinner and a walk around around Saumur, but I have a nasty sore throat so I'm staying in with hot tea and room service. It gives me a chance to catch up on the blog. Sorry if my words are kinda boring, I'm not really funny at the best of times, and tonight I seem to be nursing a cold.

Tomorrow night everyone is going to contribute to the blog and we've got some funny people in this crew. They were going to write captions tonight, but I wasn't up to it. So tune in tomorrow for more adventures as we cycle the Loire!!


The view in the morning from our hotel in Monjean
(it was called le Fief de Cordonieres, I think).

Brian and Mike before we set off.

Senoritas waiting to be serenaded.

Le crew

 Chateau d'Angers



One of the gardens at the chateau.

A demon tempts an angel on one of the Apocalypse Tapestries.

The tapestries are the largest in the world - over a 100 metres long!

 

View from the Chateau d'Angers.

 

One of the many mideival buildings outside the chateau in Angers.



Breast art on the Loire.

Mike and all met a couple of Canadians from BC, who were cycling to the Black Sea.
They were in their 60s, loaded down with half a house of baggage and they
still had trouble keeping up with them.

More Loire art.



Taking a welcome break on a wall by the Loire.



Joe snoozes while he waits for our lunch baguettes which
Derek and Trish kindly fetched for us.

 

Les garcons



Nikki poses for the paparazzi.

 

Graham and his chapeau.



The sun finally breaks through!



Brian takes a tumble.

 

A welcome beer at the end of a long day.

 



The view from my hotel room (the Mercure) in Saumur.

The view from my room when I finally finish the blog. See ya tomorrow!

Day 2 - Nantes to Montjean sur Loire

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but there was no internet connection in our room. I guess I could have gone to someone else's room but it was late, I was tired and the bed looked lush.

We cycled 43 miles today, which isn't a lot but it still took us all day! Maybe we're like fish that grow to the size that the pond will allow, we stay on the bikes as long as the day will allow.

Rain was a constant companion, but generally light. It meant we were taking our water proofs on and off all day. But rain or no rain it's been fabulous. On day 1, La Baule to Nantes, we were primarily cycling through industrial areas. But Nantes to Montjean is more what we expected - lovely villages and quiet lanes.

Interestingly, Mike chose the background image for this blog (a grey and rainy country scene) long before we started the trip. Maybe he should have chosen hot and sunny.

Kicking off the day with a minor brake problen on Hugh's bike.



The beautiful Loire



Our super amazing support driver Trish.

Honey bunny et moi!

Coffee break beside a Chateau.

I think the Loire should be called the Valley of Roses. They are everywhere and
each stem has half a dozen flowers. I love them!

Yet another gorgeous church in another pretty village.

We are all looking at a magnificent view of the Loire (see below).

Lunch under parasols to avoid the rain.

Liz about to dive in.

Joe had a flat and found the puncture by putting the tyre into the Loire
and looking for bubbles. It worked, he found the puncture!

    

Our hotel in Montjean sur Loire

 

Swimming - as if we weren't wet enough already!

 

Trish at work.

 

An English phone box in France!!

  

Sitting down for a delicious dinner.

 Mike dries our map over our four poster bed.