Friday photos and Saturday blog

Lunch by the river junction between the Vezier and the Dordogne:



Luxury of camping on grass:



Saturday:
Trains




Stopped for a drink in La Rochelle before cycling onto the Ile de Re:



Monday dinner:




The Internet connection where we are staying has been terrible, hence late posting.

Sally

A day early

Up at 7 and out of campsite by 8. Quick coffee at the tabac where we ate the night before and then 20 km to Bergerac. Sally looked for an English bookstall on the market (without success) while I had a coffee. Then off to the station. Tickets to La Rochelle cost 38 euros each, changing at Bordeaux. Arrived at the magnificent station in La Rochelle at 16:14. Went shoe shopping at the Tsonga store, but Sal didn't find anything she liked. Paid almost 7 euros for 2 orangina drinks and called camp site on Il de Re to see if we could come a day early - and here we are, ready for our last night of camping. Pictures to follow tomorrow when internet sorted.

Friday nightmare on eurostar

We had a lovely day pottering from Les Eyzies-de-Tayac to Couze-et-St-Front. Meanwhile, Jack, Cat, Han and Alex had a Eurostar nightmare; late train to Paris and let down by booked taxi. They missed their next train but somehow got the bagged bikes across Paris without a taxi and on the metro. Top marks. Speaking of which - Jack got his degree result, a 2:1, fantastic.

Back in the Dordogne, we had a picnic lunch at the confluence of the Vezere and the Dordogne, watching people wade across or swim in the current.

Visited a couple of churches with remains of 13th century frescos and arrived at Couze around 5pm.

Slightly odd town with a lot of traffic. Currently sitting at local tabac having a beer.

Pictures to follow when we get some WiFi.

Thursday-pictures

Campsite:


Amazing lunch:


Campsite we stayed at 9 years ago in two £20 Argos tents:


Swimming pool we are going in next:


Sally

Lazy day

Just back from cycling up to St Leon-Sur-Vezere - not very far but quite hilly. Found a cafe at St Leon and had a plate of assorted cheese with rustic bread and 2 beers. It was a wonderful setting by the river and very relaxing - Sally should be posting a photo very soon. Came back on a road that passed Le Paradis camp site - we stayed here with the children 10 years ago and had a great holiday (though I can remember very little now apart from causing a lot of embarrassment when we moved the tents). Still hilly on the way home (now with beer in legs) and currently doing internet stuff at the camp site. Swim next.

Wednesday

Cycled up a big hill to the small town of Domme. Fantastic views designated two stars by Michelin and therefore full of tourist tat.



Back down the hill for coffee and apple brioche:


No sign of any apple in them. Incredible bunch of posing english teenagers at next table, smoking French cigarettes and talking about what daddy does etc. All bought about four packs of cigs each, so obviously not allowed out much.

Overcast and cooler today, even some rain which we avoided by stopping for a drink. Done lots of Michelin star rated places today, this area is packed with them. We generally find that cycling through them is quite sufficient on the tourism front.

Staying at a campsite in Les Eyzies, going to stop for a couple of nights and do some unloaded cycling. Great meal last night:



30 miles cycled.

Sally

End of heat wave

Looks like the scorchio weather has come to an end. Last night at Rocamadour it was 36 degrees and now, near Sarlat its around 22. At least it should be easier to sleep and cycle.

Talking of which, after visiting the ancient bit of Rocamadour this morning we headed off in the wrong direction and added 7 miles to the route. On the other hand it was very beautiful if not hilly. Eventually found the river Dordogne and the riding was much easier.

Shared a pizza for lunch in a small village next to church wall. Served by someone around Jack's age who moved here when he was 2 (I assume his parents were involved).

Checked out a few sites before finding one that fits our ill defined set of requirements. Had swim in river followed by shower followed by beer.

Total 44 miles today.