Day #12: Sigournais (Rest Day)

No news from Dad today - can only assume he is getting shown the sights.

Dad - Update Friday 11 May 2007

Hi everyone. What a day I have had today! I will ramble on, so this will probably be a bit disjointed and with the differences in the keyboard the spelling will be off too. Maybe you can edit it Martin before putting it onto the blog?
This morning I was met at the boundary of Le Vendee by my friend Eddy and 4 cyclists who had come to escort me to Sigournais. I had been expecting a few guys on simple bikes to potter along a cycle path. These guys were bronzed Adonises with shaved legs, bulging thighs and calves like Popeye's forearms. Their bikes were fantastic too. Feather light and wheels like saw blades. Anyway they were very kind to me and waited patiently as I laboured up the hills behind them. When we arrived in the village, the mayor was there to meet me. The cyclists presented me with a plaque showing the Le Vendee crest and a cycling shirt that had been worn by one of them when he cycled from Sigournais to the twin town in Germany. I was overwhelmed. The Mayor then took us down to his wine cellar where we had a glass of wine. Then to the bar where we had more wine and beer (this is at 12:00 pm!!) Then we had a 3 course meal. Eddys house is fantastic. he has converted, what was a virtual ruin into something special. This weekend is shaping up to be a great rest and full of interest.
Of course, this is not common. I will run through my normal routine:
-Up about 7:30
-breakfast: coffee, bread, jam/honey, croissant
-cycling by 9:00 at the latest
-stop for a coffee about 11:00
-eat a banana, dates, nuts, raisins, etc as I go
-finish on the bike about 3:30 generally
-find accommodation
-shave, shower, wash clothes, siesta
-out for a meal about 7:30
-bed about 10:00 listening to Bob Dylan - Chronicles (thanks for the Ipod kids)
-same again the next day - brill.

So far:
Belgium: I loved, flat as a pancake, beautiful Hansel and Gretal villages. Martin, perfect for you and Megan and Patrick. I am sure that the level only varied by about 2 metres the whole time that I was in it.
France: I have liked it more and more as I have travelled south. Coming past Paris all the rivers were flowing East to west to get to the Atlantic. Of course, I was travelling North to south to get to the Med. The result was exhilarating, brakes smoking, white knuckle descents into the valleys followed by sweat dripping, snotters tripping slogs up the other side. The landscape has been changing slowly (on a bike, everything changes slowly!). The weather has been great. Only one shower (although it is raining just now). Unfortunately there have been very strong headwinds for the last week. On the bike, a hill can be a challenge and there is some satisfaction in getting to the top, not to mention the swoop down the other side! However, the wind saps your strength and your resolve.
Here is an advert for a bike: just South of Tours I spied a Van Gogh type landscape - patchwork fields, about 4 different shades of green and a field of blue. When I got closer the smell of Lavender was overpowering. I dumped the bike on the verge and ate a banana, thinking: all these motorists are missing this - fantastic.
I had another episode with flies, this time wee midge type beasts. I must have got about 10 in my mouth but this time I just swallowed them, without a drink (and you think you are hard, Martin!)
I also got attacked by a dog. Just when I was very tired at the top of a hill. Luckily it was behind me because I was so knackered that i would just have lay down to be savaged. The only thing scarier than a farm dog is a scrapyard dog.
Well, I will stop now as I realise that I am really rambling on (just like I do on the bike)
I do not know when I will be able to Email again as there is a real lack of Internet cafes so hasta luego.

Missing you all,

Big kisses to all my family members xx and manly handshakes to others.

Day #11: Sigournais (Updated)

Text from Dad to Mum:
"Arrived in Sigournais at about 11:30 via Cerizay and Pouzauges. Only 53km today, 956km in total."

He phoned and spoke to mum from Eddie's. He is hoping to write an email with all the details. Having a fantastic time. Watch this space....

Dad sent me a few pictures taken by Eddie this morning when a few cyclists had ridden out to meet him and accompany him for about 30km.

Day #10: Bressuire

Progress text From Dad to Mum:
"Lovely day - not so windy. In Bressuire, via Lencloitre, Mirebeau, Airvault. In a hotel €21.00. 93km today, total of 903km. Only about 50km from Sigournais so looking forward to 2 or 3 easy days."

Day #9: Chatellerault

Progress text From Dad to Mum:
"A very very strong wind today - hard work, but now in Chatellerault. Came via Tours which was lovely but too big. In a B&B - €20.00. Feel tired but fine after shower. It has been a long day, 110km - 808km in total. Planning to stay at Eddie Edens' in Sigournais for 2 or 3 nights."

Mum then text back to tell him to slow down or he would be in Denia before she got there. He quickly text back to say "No Chance!!"

Day #8: La Chartre sur-le-Loir

Text From Dad to Mum:
"Arrived at 2:00 in La Chartre sur-le-Loir via Vibraye, Saint-Calais and Le Grande-Luce. Only 79km today as it was very wet and windy. 699km in total. In a 2 star hotel - €29.00 but only a shower today."

Day #7: La Ferte Bernard

Text from Dad to Mum:
"It was a hard day - very windy and hilly. Did 83km - now a total of 620km. I am in La Ferte Bernard via Mortagne and Belleme. In a B&B - lovely. Weather now overcast but dry"

Day #6: Verneull

Dad called my Mum:
He travelled 107km today via Vernon, Eureux and tried to get a room in Danville. Couldn't find anything and travelled a further 20km to Verneull where he managed to get somewhere to stay.