A final blog from me, with no trembling lip to match my trembling legs. Final thoughts should dominate this entry and they are all positive. Alan put forward the idea of this trip, so the first thing I should record is that it is all his fault. Physically this last two and a half weeks has been the toughest sustained task I have ever done, so my main feeling is relief to stay the course. We have come to understand rural France well, mostly our experiences have be...

Today's tour chapter title could be "three old men and Alan doing well heading north". Alan, of course, is a very young man, don't mention his next birthday. The weather turned nasty hot on us today, perhaps our previous rainy and chilly days were not such a problem. Only one day's cycling left, impossible to believe. AB I was minding my own business 5 metres behind the main pack when they disturbed a 1 metre long snake in the grass verge. It slithered out in f...

A successful start to phase three, heading north, 75 French miles pedalled with a pesky wind hindering progress. We are in big city Le Mans but more typically we have been in the countryside. We have cycled through scores of French villages, mostly they are impressive, clean, beautifully presented and deathly quiet. A road usually bypasses the village and we follow centre ville signs for our R&R stops. Villages often have impressive public spaces and building...

The end of phase two of our trip today and we are ready for phase three, a blast home to Blighty, back for next Tuesday. Phase two successfully ticked off, we have toured the Loire region and are all chateauxed out. What will we do without our meagre (literally) happy hour? AB Fuelled by Andy's splendid BBQ last night, we plundered medieval Loches today, a mere 20 miles away, not bad considering today was meant to be a rest day! Tomorrow is the start of the big ...

Hello all, another Groundhog Day here or we might call it "four have a jolly good time in France". We have enjoyed lots here and we have enjoyed cheapskating. Shop bought baguettes are as tasty as those bought in cafes, we sneer at Chateaux that demand entrance fees and we sneak round the back for our photos etc. Our French accents are improving, although our vocabulary remains rooted in Salford. Nous sommes having un tres bon vacances. AB. Firstly from me to...