The last few days have been warming up but this morning our high altitude [3950 ft] and the wind have dragged it down to 2deg. We ues the service point and set off, through the town of Pradelles which doesn't look nearly as inviting as it did on our previous ride through. Soon we are on the D906, the switchback main road through the Ardeches and Cevennes. As we descend the mist lifts revealing some snow remaining on the distant mountain tops. The road is ever...

We've had a couple days of not making much distance, but it's no good continually travelling. Today we'll get back on track heading for Pradelles. St-Eloy-les-Mines is shrouded with light, early morning mist when we leave and take the D2144 towards Clermont Ferrand. We're heading into a region of extinct volcanoes and the roads follow long, long climbs and descents. Once we pass Clermont Ferrand we start to see the conical hills and pinnacles of volcanic rock...

After a less than smooth day yesterday we decide to take it fairly easy and not rush off. The road from Boussac is hilly and twisty through lots of woodland with views of streams and little rivers. We pass through small, quiet towns built of darker stone than in the Corez and Creuse regions. It's a pretty and relaxing ride, spring green in the woods, lambs and calves in the fields. At one point we pass a platoon of soldiers on a route march. They're well hi...

Everything starts alright; the sun comes up, the birds sing and the bin man takes away the rubbish. We set off through pretty countryside, up and down with trees bursting with new bud and as many buttercups as there are chins to wave them under. At Magnac-Laval we call into Intermarche and refuel before we leave. The slope out of the fuel station is steep and catches the buggy rack. At the next turn there is no buzzer on the indicator so we pull into the cen...

The morning starts dull but begins to brighten when we set off aiming towards the Limoges area. Leaving Vasles we drive along country roads among lots of yellow; masses of cowslips in the verges, tall mustard plants in the fields and dandelions on any bit of spare grass. Traffic is light and the roads are straight, with lots of dual carriageway and a few towns we've passed through other times. Lunchtime we pull into the camperstop at Bussiere-Poitevine next to...