Summer arrived in the north of France today at exactly 11.49am. By 1pm it wasn't just warm and sunny but scorching hot and dry. Oh how easy it is to b**** and moan about the weather twice in one day. This morning's 11 degree start was foggy and cold and the 35 degree finish was too warm. Life is enjoyably tough as a tourist isn't it? With the sunshine and clear skies came the bugs. Tiny little midget-like things that love the taste of suncream. Hundreds of them were stuck to our arms, legs and faces. Into our helmets they flew, leaving us itchy and irritable (momentarily). Despite this, today's ride was fabulous. Up, down, over, around, D217 followed by the D115 and the C2 etc. After Villers we rode due south, heading to Remy, a place just outside Compeigne and unremarkable for anything other than our accommodation. I was excited. The reviews of Manoir St Charles were favourable not least for its history, furnishings and hosts. Let's just say it didn't disappoint. I am writing this blog and sunbaking next to the pool, I've ordered a glass of champagne and will over indulge on a home-cooked French dinner. Vincent and his wife Catherine, the hosts are welcoming and absolutely hilarious. Vincent's English is good and he has been to Australia. He has already kindly offered me the use of his didgeridoo, which he bought at 'the QVB' in Sydney, he proudly claims. Our room, one of five, is in the 400-hundred-year-old turret (if you see a ghost say hello: Vincent's suggestion), decorated in typical French 17th century style, opulent but tasteful: rich furnishings, heavy curtains, cream and gold trimmings and a four-poster bed, oh la la. Anyway this has been fun, thanks for listening, got to go indulge in all things French. Voila!
Postscript: there are candelabras on the dinner table! Dinner includes a champagne cocktail, entree, main, fromage, salad, dessert and coffee. And wine. Of course. Lucky I like food. A lot.
Post, postscript: there's a tunnel under the house to the cathedral behind us, and several others to the neighbouring town. It's all very dungeons and dragons.