Day 27 15/8/16
46 miles (Nantes to Paimboeuf) Average speed 9.6mph Top speed 23.8 mph
Nantes chalet – good morning
After a night of stargazing and seeing the sunrise I was in no rush to get away as I had power and wifi.
I’m a bit paranoid now of losing things so I’m taking iPad to the shower with me. Unfortunately I forgot to take a towel. iPads are good but they can’t dry you. Luckily I was in a very fancy campsite and they had a stand beneath hairdryer.
I set off without brekkie or tea even. Never a good move but it was Monday and there were no shops open! All day I thought it was Sunday because Nantes was like a ghost town in the morning.
(Ermintrude; it was a Bank Holiday, as advised afterwards on FB by Dave Winter who lives in Paris)
Couldn’t even find a baguette? Saw a few attractions and sights and it was good to see the elephant going for a walk. The elephant and carousels were of particular note.
(Ermintrude; there are lots of pictures of these, I will give them their own gallery)
Elephant walking in Nantes
Mechanical Elephant Nantes
Carousel Nantes
Roundabout Nantes – I don’t think this one is magic
Satnav tried to send me round in circles but I managed outfox it in the end. Tried to find a supermarché for bread as I’d only had a bar of chocolate. Realised it was nearly 12.30 and it was now a race against time, as if I didn’t make it I would have to suffer McDs.
I made it to U shop or whatever it’s called, but the girl as I entered said I only had 2 minutes till they closed. I did a supermarket sweep, without much luck, as they had no fresh bread left. I ended up with a brown loaf and a can of monster energy drink, warm. So lunch was taken as I sat in their car park and had crap bread and cheese and chorizo sarnies as I watched them all clocking off and carrying armfuls of baguettes and loaves.
Cycle path was variable to say the least. At one point , I think it was Chateaux Pe, I was pushing up what looked and felt like a ploughed field dried and rutted by tractors and turned at a 70 degree angle!
But it’s “all miles in the legs” as those cycling mags say. (Which is supposed to mean it makes you stronger but hopefully there won’t be too many more like that ) then I hit the Loire and a great road that follows the river.
Road along the Loire
Feeding the ducks beside the Loire
I did nearly lose Brian again at the ferry port. I think he wanted to jump ship and I wouldn’t blame him.
Brian the snail’s attempt at escaping by the Loire – even before tonight’s dinner!
At least he’s in his box most of the day, I don’t think he likes this heat. Fantastic but I was tiring in the heat so stopped at Paimbeouf and eventually their card machine accepted my card after they’d sent me to a bank that had no money to dispense. Argh, A tired hungry cyclist can see all he wants but can’t have it.
Only one shop open in town and no restaurants (it’s Monday don’t you know). A child of 10 served me the first time I went in and another of 7 when I returned. I think she undercharged me as I walked out with a family size tin of cassoulet and a large tin of mackerel for €3 . Swim and sunbathe very good but followed by the most frustrating dinner yet. Firstly, it’s difficult to open a tin without the required tool. I do know a way using concrete but couldn’t find any? After struggling for 20 minutes with a corkscrew I managed to make a hole big enough for three beans to escape but the sausages were going to need some more help. I tried every combination of the tools I had and eventually freed those sausages and beans! Boiled them up and sat around campfire à la Blazing Saddles.
They tasted OK but not a patch on my pasta. No more tinned crap food for me. Another bonus was tuning in to radio 5 to hear wet spam lose to a late Chelsea winner! I just must try and remember what day of the week it is!
Just sitting by the pool as I write. It’s quite good this lifestyle!
Campsite €9.90 with pool and wifi.