I am writing this note with no knowing of when I can post it but I can always save it for later and hope to find some electricity and some wifi.
I had a lovely stay at La Pompe with my sister Mo and bro-in-law Peter on Thursday and it was sad to leave them after just one day. I wondered if it would be my last comfortable night for the next seven as I cycle camp my way through western europe.
I am the youngest of three and my two older sisters have always looked after me and in recent years as both have moved abroad whenever I visit either sister they still look out for me and really try to fatten me up with fantastic food and wine. What can I offer in exchange? Fish n chips from the Arcade chippy and a pint in the Kittiwake!
Today's ride was in scorching weather. I had picked a route that took in quite a few forest roads and I was pleased for the shade.
It was quite uneventful but with lovely views of Breton countryside. My ride was expected to be about 66 miles but in the end I think it measured just 60 mls and I was at my campsite in Domfront by 3pm. I thought of pressing on as the weather was so good and I felt like I had plenty of mileage left in my legs despite the very heavy bike but when planning this ride something had drawn me to this medieval town and I must say it is quite stunning.
So the tent is up, the site is lovely. The hot shower worked a treat (yes I took my bike in with me as it was a large single shower room!) and all my washing is done by hand and pegged to branches of the tree that Ive pitched my tent under for shade. Oh and the cost for the night is €3. No electricity near my tent so hoping when I eat later, they'll let me charge my sat nav and phone.
Two final things to mention. Firstly my splendid smoked salmon and wild rocket brown bread sandwiches lovingly prepared by my sister with bananas and an energy bar for lunch. Fantastic. Taken at Landivy just past Louvigne which itself looked a lovely stop with great street cafes and food places but just too early for me and not over half way. I always insist on getting past half way in mileage before resting up for food. Its in the mind if you know youve got less to do in the afternoon.
Secondly, last time I saw a "road closed" sign it was on a quiet road in Northumberland so I ignored it and carried on only to hauled back by an angry workman who told me that explosives had been laid to blast some land for opencasting of coal! This was at Longhirst. Lucky escape for me!
So today when my route said "route debarre" with no alternative and a 12 km detour, just past Landivy heading to Le Tilleul I stopped got my phone out to look at google maps when a guy approached me. And in my best O level french I said "la route a La Tilleul est ferme?" And shrugged my shoulders and looked generally frustrated. The reply in a broad Boycott-esque accent was "Parlez vooooz English?".......he was from Hull had worked in North Shields and now had retired to this tiny spot on the map where the roadworks were.
He could tell me to proceed, that a little brook had breached the culvert and it was a lot of fuss about nothing. The local mairie had had the road closed but it was perfectly safe to proceed and walk the bike through the traffic cones. Saved me a long detour!
Food awaits. Au revoir!
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