After our toughest day cycling yet (more of that from Alan later I am sure) we have settled into a regular routine, based on R&R (rest and refuelling). Punctuating long spells of cycling we have stops for morning coffee, lunch and an afternoon ice cream, before seeking out a hotel at about 6.00pm.

We are getting to know provincial French towns and villages well as we visit them for our R&R. They are quiet, all shops shut for three hour lunches, just when we are in most need. All places have village idiots, we deal with them in different ways. I try to ignore them (not easy as they shout in poor English at you) and Alan befriends them and baffles them with his bonhomie.

Great day today we have been so lucky to dodge violent storms, fingers crossed that our luck holds. AB

I'm afraid the village idiots are drawn to me....as is evidenced by my cycling companion! Tough day. Apologies to the Medieval French but they clearly did not consider cyclists when building their " Bastides" , castles within villages to me and you , on top of 500ft mounds. The last thing you need when coasting in to town for a midday jambon fromage is to have to scale Mont Blanc with lead legs. Why not build in a dip to help us out! Andy and I have washed our togs today and hung over the balcony overlooking the pool. Posh eh? Au revoir. APL