Sunday 22 May End of Canal du Lateral - Start of Canal du Midi



Canal Du Midi

The small town of Montech was not quite as bad as we thought. Massive brick built church with a tall spire on one corner. There was also a farmers Market which gave us some supplies for the day. Quickly back on route and easy, fast riding took us into Toulouse. Turn left and we are on the Canal du Midi. A clear route took us quickly out of Toulouse, although it was busy with roller bladers, walkers and cyclists. Stopped to camp at Ayguesvive. Had to then cycle a few more kilometres for food
mileage 50 Total 538

21 May Saturday. Serrignac to Montech

A great ride along canal. Again very quiet and we often had the path to ourselves for long periods. One French bloke on a road bike, looked at the tandem and asked "why?"
We decided to head for a campsite in Montech, in order to get through Toulouse earlier in the day on Sunday. We found the so called 4* site, all overgrown, covered in rubbish and in a bad state of repair. Decided to stay in town in Hotel Notre Dame. Rooms fine and good meal in front of hotel.
Mileage - 52 miles Total 488

20 May Friday. La Reole to Serignac sur Garonne

We left the Chambre d'hôte in Reole at 10.00. A most amazing old house and couple. Looked nothing on outside, inside it was like a Tardis. Room after room, great big lovely garden and everywhere full of STUFF. Latest magazine in loo - 1984. Now on the Canal du Lateral. Lovely ride. 40 miles on traffic free quiet paths. Stopped in Le Mas-d'Agenais for lunch and to see the Rembrandt in the church, sadly on loan to Louvre. Lunch was good though, under the roof of an old grain store in the centre.

Temperature rising, though the trees do give much needed shade.

Found hotel, Le Prinz Noir. An old monastery, the monks must have lived well - this one had a great restaurant and a swimming pool.
Mileage 43 miles. Total 436

19 May Thursday

Just finished packing up tents etc when heavens opened. We had breakfast in Creon, rain stopped. Lovely long descent and a flat ride on cycle path all the way to Saveterre de Gryerre. Very good menu lunch. By this time rain clouds had gone and temp up around 28. ReachedRiver Garonne on late afternoon. La Reole, an old town dating back to before Richard the Lionheart.
Found a chambre d'hote in a very old rambling town house.
Mileage - 37 miles Total - 393
Cannot find anywhere to add photos to Blog.
We didn't see the old Frenchman and his trailer. John P had fears of a Gerhard repeat, but that is another Parkie story.

18 May Wednesday

We set off by 10.00 and into town for repairs. John needed a new wheel, and Jenny a new tyre and inner tube. All done in an hour and off again. A very enjoyable ride through Bordeaux, along the river and then onto the Roger Lapibie cycle path. The countryside is now changing from the pines near the coast to much more mixed woods and farmland.
Camped at Creon. Met a 76 year old who is on his own on a heavily laden Nike and with a BobYak trailer. He wanted to travel to the med with us, we declined the offer.
Mileage - 37 miles Total - 356

17 May Tuesday - Stage 2 - French Coast to Coast

 We left Arcachon on great weather, took the ferry across to Cap Ferrat. Mainly on cycle paths up to Lege, then St Helene. No campsites, but we found a chambre d'hote close to the cycle path. A very welcoming family, and we had a lovely meal outside with the family. Lots of nibbles, including radishes, salt and butter, followed by leg of lamb and harricot blanc, and then green salad and cheese finally followed by fresh home grown strawberries.
John P has damaged his wheel and Jenny has split a tyre so we will sort that tomorrow.
Mileage - 40 miles Total 319.
A good start to part 2

Saturday 14 May Arcachon

Our first wet start. Then a few wrong torns on the way out of Biscarosse Plage, followed by a double puncture. Luckily taking the back wheel off was very easy and soon on our way again. Rain stopped and wind arrived. Easy run into Arcachon, even though there were more hills than we would have liked. The Parkies managed to find the only hilltop campsite in the area. Rented a mobile home for a few days, time to clean up, reorganise and chill out.
John and Jenny are hoping to arrive Sunday evening.
Still nowhere to put photos on. I'll try in Arcachon.
Mileage 24 miles Total 280
Camping Club du Arcachon