What a day! A rather restless night in IBIS/IKEA land woken up by traffic noise and heavy downpour we had a rather rudimentary breakfast before loading up the steeds. The weather was dry and it gradually became sunny and - now pinch your inner what-evers- tailwindy! As usual we lost our bearings and headed up a double- v hill (>12%) in error. Paul managed it in tha saddle, the rest of us felt that our horses needed a rest and we walked them up. From then on we flew wind behind us 17-20 mph through beautiful undulating deserted scenery (ever tempted to buy a chateu in rural France? Don't - it is completely empty! No shops no cafes no nothing! ) We stopped for the application of sunscreen in an almost deserted village and a chap approached us clutching a thermos. He invited us for tea and we had a great chat and tea with a Parisian journalist now living in the middle of nowhere with his 200 metres (yes that is correct!) of bookshelves! We raced on towards Alsace via Nancy but to catch up due to time lost in the Picardian headwinds we boarded a train for the last part. We have now had a fantastic meal in beautiful Strasbourg preceded by a very tasty dark Fischer ale followed by a fizzy Cremant d'Alsace and then accompanied by a Grand Cru Riesling. It has been a great day in a beautiful country in great company.
Shadowfax? "Run like the wind, Shadowfax" - and that is what we finally did. Life is good!!
Good news indeed guys. It was hellish windy here today,Wednesday so hear what you say. I was a little concerned about your delays and imbibing over lunch, then deciding to do a 75 mile day....when Paul had a plane to catch! Stay away from those foody diversions chaps...you are not supposed to be enjoying yourselves.
ReplyDeleteSo hope you are back on schedule and getting a tan at last.....On, On On....