Day 32 20/8/16
La Rochelle
La Rochelle one two towers guarding the Old Port
La Rochelle second tower guarding the entrance to the Old Port
It is easier cycling than having a day off! Today I clocked up 40 miles .
Great early start: in the shower at 6.15 in the dark. I’m hiding from another downpour under a McDonald’s umbrella but they don’t open until 9.30. I’ll make use of the wifi though on my day off!
So I went into town and just as it started raining again after a torrential downpour at McDonald’s I spotted Ibis buffet for €6.50. All you can eat buffet with wifi and plugs to charge batteries all inclusive. It had to be done. Two hours scoffing while miserable people came and went. You would think they were the ones staying in a campsite! Everyone at the campsite seems much happier. Maybe it’s the smell of my feet upsetting them!
La Rochelle – the white city
Back to clean the bike and change tyres over as back one is nearly out of tread. Did my washing up and a whole wardrobe full of hand washing. Then I went shopping at a shopping centre which took me forever to find, even though I was stuck in it yesterday. Bought shoes and an iPhone in Happy Cash or Cash Converters as you and I know it. Had a pint of Guiness and watched another wedding; this one was a bit OTT.
Wedding La Rochelle
Back at the campsite I met Francois and Miriam again. They left me a lovely note on my tent next morning as we hadn’t had the chance to chat. Finished my leftover spaghetti Bolognaise from yesterday and went out on the town. Found that I couldn’t really trust to leave my bike alone and am not really comfortable in a big city. Still I found two Irish bars and watched the end of a rugby match; La Rochelle v Cleremont. If I’d known they were playing down the road I may have gone.
Back again to campsite and bar opposite where a corvette was parked up, so I asked two young girls to take a picture. When they saw me take out Brian (the snail! The Snail!) they couldn’t control themselves with laughter at this grown man! Finished off with whisky and picked up a few useful leftovers (salt and pepper, sugar and serviettes.)
Whisky nightcap
Brian the snail and a corvette (not a little red one though)