A Loire Rendezvous

On July 19th the team headed north whilst pals Bron and Lesley were in residence at La Cachette. Friends Greg and Rosie Egan happened to be in France at that time which was a great excuse to catch up in the Loire. Four nights in a small flat in the middle of the old centre of Chinon meant the guys were close to everything. Chateau visits, some long cycles, and buddy bonding made for a great time. Last time we saw Greg and Rosie in Europe, we took them punting in Oxford. Back south, Paulie and Stephen headed straight to a house near home base before returning to La Cachette 4 days later.

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19th - an overnight at Bellac. A B&B bathroom with a view Whilst at dinner.... ... some likely lads of Bellac put a hole in Stephens back tube. Grrr.. 20th- Some hours later, we arrive at Chinon
. Where it seems King Arthur tales are told But in all fairness our history does merge with France's - Plantagenet royals ruled both lands on and off A few centuries later Joan of Arc did meet the big wigs here to convince them she wasn't mad
. We settle into our wee apartment With it's wee stairs to the loft Stephen catches up with Apple pal Greg Egan
And he and Rosie are with Adelaide pals Paul & Sue The cafe owner's lad represents French junior Rugby, so we give hm our All Blacks cap 21st - a puncture repair and then... .. we hit the road
Chateau Rigny-Ussé Lounging at the Loire . .
. At the Chinon Nuclear power plant Nature meets nuclear all good sunflowers loose their smile before harvest
A quick look at Candes-Saint-Martin where the Loire meets the Vienne .. here 85.5 km! But not too exhausting as it's mostly flat Although a snooze is required in the tiny loft
And it's noted that the cycling tan continues to contrast naturally milky white Stephen with his legs and arms 22nd - en route to Chateau Villadry to meet the team A lovely spin along the river A pit stop at Langeais
to see the chateau At Villandry which is famous for it's gardens (and gals)
. Renovation started at the beginning of 20th century. The owners were a Spanish Medic and his American scientist wife Although renovation tried to be historically acccurate, the owner's Spanish heritage showed in some decoration "Would madam like a seat?"
. . . Waiting for Paulie to visit one more garden
. . . .
Regrouping having lost team Egan for a while . . After a big day out, dinner is served.
Stephen clearly doesn't like surprises. Better be what he ordered! Dessert certainly is! Even has a WiFi antenna for better phone signal 3 things one can do with Apricots! After dinner drinks at the Egan estate
. The square 20 metres from our apartment is quiet at midnight 23rd - out for another, more moderate, peddle .
Destination reached... Fontevraud-l'Abbaye An Abbey that many an English King visited And queen retired to - Elanor of Aquitaine .
. The kitchen is made totally of stone and is essentially a large oven . ... And smoking house
. Into the tunnels beneath the abbey (most recently a prison) Where an art installation lights the way .
. And then to the upper dorms for another installatioon Time to head home .
With time to play . Home after a moderate 27km to lovely river scenes 24th - an early start to the day takes us home through the backroads through festive La Douze in Aquitane
... and one of a number of breaks (here at La Bugue) to make the 9 hour drive more chilled.