Day 13, Tuesday 19 September
Chenonceaux to Azay-le-Ferron
81k
Feeling: got a few aches and pains today – long time in the saddle.
Went to Chenonceau station with Liz to see her off on the 08:15 train, and she is now safely home in London. I went back to the hotel for some breakfast, including some of the best scrambled egg I have ever had. James and I enjoyed our leisurely breakfast, and then I wasn’t ready, which meant we left later than intended.
Good cycling weather: dry, and rather cool and cloudy. We crossed the Touraine countryside, and turned south down the valley of the river Indre. Pretty, but virtually deserted villages. Nowhere to get lunch, but found a baker where we got some bread and ham. The Indre is full of the old Michelin road signs – absolute classics, made with tiles, and cemented into walls. Here’s one I saw:
Made good time and stopped for a beer, or two.
Our hotel wins no awards, but we had an interesting conversation with a lady who works in the office of the Brenne regional park, which we’ll visit tomorrow.
That’s it for today.
So it’s au revoir from the pink pedaller
But I did honour the spirit by cycling across Paris and then back from St Pancras
And had a very chatty person next to me on Eurostar. We spent much of the journey discussing the various interpretations of Karma and whether choral singing had similar benefits to Buddhist chanting. He had the book he had written on achieving happiness through Buddhism. Only way I could get some peace and quiet was to read his book on the spot!
Bon voyage to Malcolm and James on the next leg. Although I know Malcolm will appreciate a faster companion I had a brilliant time and was rather sad to sign off. I did do c 600 km though and am up for other cycling adventures!
Malcolm, why don’t we see these bright cycling tops at RWGC ?
Cheers
Mike
Mike
I know you are the master of colour on the course. I can’t compete.
Thanks for tuning in.
Malcolm
Wow, I’m just catching up on these last few days, what an achievement and what an adventure! Gx