Day 31 19/8/16
46 miles (La Tranche to La Rochelle) Average speed 10.9 mph Top speed 19.3 mph
Campsite L’Escale du Perthuis, La Tranche-sur-Mer
Sunrise at La Tranche-sur-Mer
A lovely day for cycling if you like rain and wind!
I left the campsite at 11.30 and went straight to the bar opposite to sit out a thunderstorm, but gave in at 12 and donned the only wet weather gear that I hadn’t sent to Spain. Mad dogs and Englishman go out in the midday rain. I spent the next hour in torrential rain on a main road being sprayed by every passing vehicle. Stopped at Saint-Michel-en-l’Herm and got a good map from the lovely girl in the tourist office while I dripped on her table. Wrang out my socks in the doorway and left my helmet on the banisters. I went have a coffee to dry out, then set off and had to go back for the helmet. The rain stopped and I took euro velo 1 to La Rochelle.
Followed the cycle path in the wind which dried out some of my attire, but was head on, which made an easy day on paper quite tough. I held a gate open for a French guy and then met him while I was having lunch.We had a good chat. He was from Tours. He laughed at my lettuce and bid me “Bon courage.” Found campsite and cooked spaghetti Bolognaise, best dinner yet. With red wine at €1.79!
Arrived at Camping Le Soleil , La Rochelle.
Ironic that it should rain again as I arrived at Le Soleil campsite.
Campsite €10.70