19 Aug
Good weather for the first full day’s cycling in a South Easterly direction from Caen. Sticking to small country lanes and passing through rolling countryside, cider-apple orchards and forests, the route was most pleasant.
Did around 150km, via Pegasus Bridge (first thing)and Lisieux (for coffee) and, towards the end of the afternoon, found a nice Château (Château Puisaye) in which to stay, just south of Verneuil-sur-Avre. Had a swim in the pool before getting changed for apéros on the lawn and then home-cooked dinner, with a few other guests, in the grand dining room.
Just prior to our arrival, there’d been an incident at the château which resulted in one of the more senior guests being whisked off to hospital with a suspected stroke (later found to be a lung infection). His wife returned from the hospital, as we were starting desserts. She was ‘needing wine’. Hope he’s ok.
After dinner, we were treated to a recital, in the music room, from two of the talented daughters of our fellow guests. Piano and vocals.
Tomorrow we’ll carry on, keeping in a south easterly direction.