England Rides

France 4th - 7th April 2006
Weather forecasted rain, rain and more rain
After a hectic weekend of picking up Bethany and Sophie sorting them to see the Sugababes
at Bournemouth (BIC) on the 1st April and returning them to their respective homes a 1000 mile round trip
- we embarked on the Brittany Ferry MV Bretagne - Headed for St Malo at 20:30 on the 3rd April at Portsmouth.

We took the time to explore Portsmouth and watch the Ferry arrive...

We had a few beers at the bar and crashed in our cabin for an early disembarkation at 08:30 French time (1 hour ahead of the UK)

Tuesday 4th April
St Malo to La Rochelle - approx 230 miles
We set off down to La Rochelle via St Nazaire sticking to the D-roads as much as possible...

The roads were always interesting using the Sat-Nav you never quite knew where you were going to go
But you can be assured Wendy was on the back recording them as you can see in the wing mirror...

The Bridge at St Nazaire

When we arrived at La Rochelle we thought it a good idea to go across to Ile De Ré
Big mistake as the journey back to the Hotel was a Nightmare
compounded by one way systems, Diversions and protests...

But another opportunity to cross a bridge and get a photograph not to mention some cross country riding...

But once we were back at the Hotel a B&B Hotel we were quickly showered rejuvenated
and out to de Center Villa for a meal and some culture...

With the bike safe we went to bed...

Wednesday 5th April
La Rochelle to Tours - approx 210 miles the scenic route of broken castles and rivers.

Wednesday started as a grey day it didn't rain but you felt like it ought to so we rode and really just got our heads down until just before 12:00
to get petrol - Like you probably know France shuts from 12:00 - 14:00 so if you do not have fuel or need anything other than food forget it...

Again it is cheaper to get fuel at the super markets

We then stopped at the next restaurant along the way as it was still very overcast and cold we were not bothered about the traditional
parasol in an idyllic town but more a functional place where we could get warm...

We were surprised to find the only bar staff not to speak English and felt it safe to speak our minds whilst enjoying our Hot
drinks and Cheese and ham toasties (Le Croquette Monsieur) - only to be approached in a broad Kent accent "awesome bike mate!"
It turned out that every one in the bar 6 not counting us were ex-pats and the staff were the only 2 in the place who couldn't speak English.
So we had a good chat about French politics and the differences between living in the UK and France - very enlightening.

During the afternoon the weather brightened a little but not
much and Wendy left her Camera in her pocket all day...

But we had a warm Hotel to look forward to in Tours and once the bike was secured and we had had a beer, we had a hot
deep bath and changed we headed into the old town in pursuit of Steak Dinner and carafes of red wine and people watching...