Day 10 Belle Riviere to Les Moutiers about 60km (aka too far!!!)

Woke up to find two thefts had occurred. Teabags routed out of the food bag, though tossed aside, even the magpies realise that even though the box says Tetleys, they are not really and more disturbingly my favourite chami, nice cerise ones, from the line!!! Luckily they did leave my cycling gear etc, which makes me come to conclusion there was a slightly inappropriate motive behind the theft :/ Anyway after the shock, packed up and headed off for what was a bit of a bland ride. Whether in the middle of France or  the middle of anywhere cycling through a major city is much the same, an endurance test, though there is a nice side to nantes i am sure, then through a rather large industrial estate. The nice thing was the lovely jasmine like smell that pervaded  the air, though i think it was from blossom on the trees. Past Nantes we did see a property with river views, needing renovation but thought against it (photo below) We then crossed the river on a ferry and headed towards  the west coast rather than keeping to the cycle route. A hot 35km brought us to  Le Metiers and after booking into L'Hermitage camp site (pretty steep at 20euro) we realised that camping in the dunes near to an estuary was not a good idea. Sand flies abounded, and the bay reminded us very much of our home town with the sea in the distance. The night was an interesting one as we attempted to sleep accompanied by a present day Charles asnevour (he was really good) then at 11 a firework display which did feel right over our tent and  the worst thing, europop disco until midnight. However once all ended slept very well.

Day 9 La chapelle St florent to camp site belle Riviere  at Thouare 42km

After great nights sleep we set off along the loire to Ancenis where the weekly market appeared to be in progress, a potter round indicated that except for the live fowl available was quite similar to Morecambe market however with a covered area which did have some great farmers produce and fish stalls. A shopping stop and picnic of the usual Camembert, tomatoes , avocado and yet another tin of tuna and we continued along the fab loire cycle track to the brilliant camp site, recommended by the very helpful girl at St Florent, of Belle Riviere. We could easily have forgone this without her input. A real backpacker special with book swap (unfortunately all French books) the ability to dry ones clothes on a real washing line and a generally relaxed feel. A bit more expensive at 13euros and after a nervous time where i thought the charger or the tablet had broken but then realised we had to pay for electricity 2.80 euro but going to charge all up  to the hilt to prepare us for the next while. The place has a fridge so a trip (slightly scarey one but don't want to frighten the parents explaining why) to the supermarche we got some beers for the evening, cheap as chips :) Little table in the tent site made it a very comfy evening meal, a site to be recommended.

         
Day 8 Vern D'Anjou to the River Loire hopefully. about 40km

Up nice and early, good night despite the frogs chorus in the night. No wonder frogs legs are huge in France cos the actual legs must be huge, only seen one at a distance but they look like they would give a cane toad a bit of a beating. Also seen pretty big white snails so it all makes sense. Handed key back to Anthony the impossibly happy patron even at 8am and with a wave good bye to the lady of the camp who came to our aid and the grounds-woman/cleaner as she cycled cheerfully in off we went. Sat, after 10km cycle at le Louroux-Beconnais where the cafe owner has somewhat balanced out the cheerfulness stakes.

11.45 Montjean sur Loire. A gorgeous 28km ride to here on the Loire  with a little elevenses at villemaisons. The cycling is getting easier by the day and now with the next week or son along the Loire and round and down the coast we should make great time. 15km to go the La chapelle St Florent, where we are reliably informed by yet another knowledgeable and friendly office de tourisme person, we are booked in for a night for 10euro 70cents (expensive now comparitively :-)) It cannot be described how brilliant the cycling is and how day by day one becomes more relaxed. And to anyone out there with aches and pains, give up the day job, camp on a camping mat and cycle through France, that will sort out neck/back/wrist pain, a treat :-) :-)

David did a painting of the Pont de Montjean then 15km cycle to Fontaine. Lovely campsite 10euro and a bargain at that. Potter into old town, just a few bar really but nice. Had beer on side of the Loire, thought it would be extortionate but just same as anywhere else.

Day 7 La Selle Craonnaise to Vern d'Anjou via Renaze 38km

Up early conscious of no ability to have porridge or a cup of tea! Back to Selle but shops still shut at 8.30 therefore headed to Rezere for sustenance and gas canisters YAY to be found at a kind of B&Q - blocmarche for future reference. Cycled then to Segre, pretty town with an office de tourisme that even exceeded friendliness stakes previously encountered, even offered us a nice shady spot for a picnic behind the office!!!!! We declined but how nice. Identified a campsite about 10km away down an orange road (they are OK) but so very nearly got on a horrid red road (they are MAL). Anyway lovely straight undulating road to Vern and the municipal campsite. A bit bizzare just a few campers parked on the side of a football pitch. We must have looked like locals as some kids asked us how to get into the tennis courts. No sign of an accuel so wandered about and then approached by a lady from one of the caravans. She luckily had the organiser on touch dial, though no answer and just told us to pick a spot. 30 Mins later another super friendly chap and a women in high viz approached us, obviously the patron and for some reason the grounds person???? Lots of handshaking with both and the deal was done 4euros and 80cents!!!!!! Oh my lord, I know its basic but wow, very happy. Just have shopped for the evening meal going to put mini steamer to test and have some veggies and salmon, picture to follow hopefully.

Steamer activity needs some working on, doesn't cook as at home but nice to have veggies, though in stages:-) Dave painted for the first time tonight.

Day 6 St Berthevin to la selle Craonnaise 45km

Lovely cycle down the voires verts yet again, nicely shaded and much less stoney. The old train routes. So organised and pretty and FLAT :-) Read paper bought by the E'cosse to commemorate the win by Andy at little cafe and epicerie and post office at Ahuille we think ( a man with everything covered). Picked up stores. Continued down to Craon via beautiful picnic area(see photo) and did the usual cycle round in circles to find the tourist office (closed 12 - 3pm) as all good places are which is unfortunate as we seem to always arrive at the crucial places at this time - damn. Continued to la selle Craonnaise which was completely closed for the day! so without any real food continued to the campsite 3 km away. A mix up with interpretation of the signs we entered a farm yard thinking perhaps the right place but the three huge dogs (unchained :/!!!) quickly had us on our way luckily in the right direction to the campsite next to a water sports area where we got a pitch for 11 euro. nice shady spot. Unfortunately no shop but we rustled up the remnants of our food sac just before the gas ran  out. Supplemented as I type with a plate of chips and 2 beers (keeping on budget somehow with a squirreled away 10 euro of dave's?????)

Day 5 ambrieres le vallees to laval on the voires vertes next to the river Mayenne 40km

Bit of a slow start after a noisy night on the camp site listening to German oompah music for some bizarre reason until 12MN and hot with sleeping at a jaunty angle, therefore little sleep (and the cheap bottle of wine perhaps). However lovely cycle along the river, though a bit bumpy at times for the tyres, mostly mountain bike territory along the rivers, not tourers with 22kg of weight, but no punctures thankfully. Chatted to a French couple of cyclists at Montgiroux along the way managed to practice my french and was understood!!  Arrived at Laval and yet again the tourist information a font of knowledge and guided us through a trading estate to the municipal campsite at St Berthevin a snip at 9 euros 20cents :). Then shock horror informed by Isabel and Bill from Dundee, in the area for the Tour de France, and therefore very proud Scots that the dr

ought of a British person winning Wimbledon was broken YAY Andy!!!!!!!! Knew it would happen with us unable to watch, but don't think he will be concerned about that. Good sporting weekend all round, the French happy with their winner, the British Lions and Froome too! Time for bed and what promises to be a much quieter night.

Voires Verts

travelled along cycle paths to Domfront and on to Arbieller for a night's camping with a bottle of red for 1.70 euros!...good for the budget.

ready for bed and the next part of the journey along the river