Rylan with the long face last night as he realised the funfair was not opening last night so he missed his promised go on the bumper cars, he had to settle for watching Mexico v South Africa on the tv, it’s great I was a sleep with 5 mins.

Another great breakfast required to fuel these old legs, filled up on all the fare, even put a couple of boiled egg in my pocket, more about that later, early start before 07:30, but for a little mishap I left my bag on the table, too busy trying to steal the boiled eggs all sorted and still had my eggs. Finally got going, out of the very pretty little town, onto the little roads heading straight through the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche, what a glorious tree lined road, red deer grazing in the forest, dawn chorus echoing in the wind and the scent of the wild lupins, how good a start is that.

We stayed through the forest for the best part of two hours, nobody wanting to stop, eventually came out of the canopy and had a quick water stop outside the village store in Senonches, quick slurp of water, fill the bottles up and away we go. Rylan the multi-tasked Iron man has informed us it will get sunny this afternoon, as it is still quite chilly at the moment, be great to get the extra layer off and on his head be it if the sun does not come out. On we went in and out of the tree lined canopy very little traffic on the road and what did pass they did with the upmost respect, really good to see the French drivers respecting the cyclists credit to them. Though it would it would not be a House tour without going through Travaux routiers (traffic works), here we go sign saying no entry due to traffic works, skip past that only applies to vehicles, we go through then an English couple go through in their campervan, all good for about 6 miles, then the big barrier across the road, the campervan turned back with a wave and good luck, us Aylesham lads with a smile and a wink got through, we had to push the bikes for a while, then the guy said all good you can ride now, nice little merci beaucoup, he replied bon voyage all good stuff, well it makes me smile with my East Peckham French accent.

Push on through the windy forest road, the wind still pretty strong but making good progress as we steam through the forest roads a bit spread out but all enjoying the ride, I stopped and had a chat with a tourer going in the other direction Ann from Chichester cycling on her own for the last 8 weeks, on her way back now, lovely lady, fair play to her, then decide to have my boiled eggs, well I need a bit of advice from Linney more like scrambled eggs in my back pocket not good, think I may need to wash the shirt tonight. Bingo on the look out for a possible stop, then called a unilateral decision in a little village Unverre, had to call Rylan back and I eventually made it. Agreat stop I must add: massive roll, a couple of beers and a chocolate eclair to boot, living the good life. On we go gave Rylan a stern look what’s happening with the weather mate, he just smiled in the casual way it will be ok old man!

Off we go – no sign of the weather turning in fact seems like the wind and clouds are building up, keep turning the legs over, then all of a sudden the sun pops out and here we go shirt flapping in the wind sun beating down on us a cut through the rural French countryside, with a smile and a wave, one more little stop outside the church in Chauvigny-du-Perche few beers to celebrate the sun coming out, the locals came along for a chat, well they chatted we just nodded our heads when it seemed appropriate but enjoyed there company.

Final ten or so miles into Vendome on cycle paths nearly the whole way in to the centre of town, found the apartment all good, always a bit more difficult to locate a airb&b but with the House resolve we get it sorted, well Bingo did, I ordered the beers and sat in the sun, all in all a great days ride.

All washed showered and cleaned my egg stained shirt, ready for a night out on the town, well evening at least.