Nice little Air b&b last night used all the facilities to wash the kit and ourselves for that matter, we all felt like the king of the road as we stepped out onto the Vendome Friday nightlife, well until we got to the first bar, French bar manager tied us in knots speaking French or English with a wicked Gaul smirk, sure Bingo did not know what to do, just smiled in a stern rugby way, think that sorted it. Then what we are going to eat Rylan the master chef, bottle washer, navigator and any job we can give him settled for a burger bar around the corner, we all just agreed as we had had a beer. Burger bar was a complete let down so in true House fashion here we go an Indian just up the road, that will do. Off we walk I might add, 10 mins me moaning all the way how long, just around the next corner, eventually stumbled across the restaurant, clearly obvious the French have never reached this far out of town, we were the only occupants, fair enough a nice meal. At the time, just depends who is riding behind you in the morning, just another odour to mix in with the French countryside.

With an Indian infused close quarter sleep we were all up bright an early, boiled eggs and muesli it’s getting better as we hit the road around 07:45, little climb out of Vendome passed the infamous Indian restaurant, as the bowels were playing bagpipes in unison, sure it must have woke them up. Once again once we was out of the town / maybe a city who knows only the ever reliable editor?[town:Ed] into the lush French countryside where we can fart to our hearts content, with a little warning to the guy behind you obviously.

Eating up the miles, sure it’s to do with the easy terrain as we steam forward through the quaint villages in the Loire Valley, we stopped for a coffee and soft drink in Monteaux, great little cafe de la poste, gave me the idea to send my darling Mother a postcard, as normal I have the whole cafe participating in the ordeal, sorted out the card, well I brought four of them? then got a pen, from one of the customers, wrote the postcard in my familiar flippant style, then scrounged a stamp off the proprietors mum, I did explain it was for my Mum, so she loved me, a kiss on both cheeks, then off she went to post it. Only to come back a few minutes later all confused, nothing a little cuddle could not overcome or to be honest an American guy translated I needed another stamp, so still had the cuddle then gave the lovely lady more money to buy the international stamp, how difficult is it to send a post card, quite difficult it my little world, but thank you so much from the three guys who interrupted your Saturday morning in cafe de la poste Monteaux, respect, possibly why they never send me shopping on my own.

Honest that kept me going all day, little smiles every little incline a little chuckle, especially as we went through the honeysuckle bushes, that was the scent the lovely lady was wearing, do people wear a scent not sure but she did smell nice. I was still in heaven as we stopped for a bit of a lunch break in Bléré, little baguette and beer in the square, must admit I was getting too confident in my French ended up getting a Ribeana beer, Rylan was not impressed, it was drinkable just, had to get a normal beer after, before we sped on our way.

Very easy ride just enjoying the sunshine and all the escapades we get up to, only 20 odd miles to go, but not sure what we are going to do for food, worry about that later, as we ploughed through the glorious country lanes. As customary on all House tours we stopped for a little refresher in Ligueil, couple of beers, Rylan had an in depth conversation with the local good guy, they seemed to get on very well, until Rylan said ‘Je ne parle pas Français’ ( I do not speak French), it did not matter at all they still kept chatting.

Off we go for the final few miles, always a bit difficult but managed to get to the campsite just outside Descartes, all booked into a great log cabin, Rylan straight out to get some supplies from the local supermarket, all good for a nice restful evening, maybe. Then cooked a pasta meal fit for conditioned athletes, while his uncle and dad just enjoyed the sun with a few cold ones, we will miss the young lad, when he goes home, will have to step up a gear or two!