Change of sport…today I cycle.

Monday 11th September 2023. La Reole.

Another momentous day….my first cycling day on the route. I got a good early start and after a breakfast of yoghurt, apple compote and bread and jam I was on my way by 8 am. The weather was better for cycling as there were occasional clouds and the temperature stayed below 30 degree (only just). However, with the early start I was making the most of the cooler temperatures.

I retraced my steps into the centre of Bordeaux, crossed the Garonne river and headed on a dedicated cycle path in a south and easterly direction.

The whole route to the Med is ‘L’Entre deux Mers’ cycle route that joins the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
A large part of the route is an old railway.

I stopped for my coffee at Creon….

I am always caught out by the quiet Mondays in France.
I had my first piece of homemade Grasmere Ginger Bread, followed by a pain aux raisin.
I made good progress and had lunch in Saveterre. I had a piece of apple tart and a nectarine. The common theme for today was that I seemed to be eating desserts and nothing else!
Lots of vineyards to see on my route. I believe this would be classed as a Cote de Bordeaux area.

It was getting hot by the early afternoon and I pushed on with a few Welsh cyclists to my final destination, La Reole. This small town is back on the Garonne and has an old town centre.

This stone building was built in 1190 by Richard the Lion Heart as he came here and assembled the local nobility as he prepared for a Crusade. He certainly got around a bit….I don’t think he was in England much!

There is a large church that is connected to a Benedictine Priory that is partially used as the Town Hall.

The town also has sculptures from a recent artist dotted around the town.

I waited for my hostel to open and, just to keep the dessert theme going, I had an ice cream.

I was booked into a hostel that opened at 4pm and I went to check in. The building is older then the one built by Richard the Lion Heart…

This is the hallway of the hostel.

I am in a mixed dormitory for 8 people! I think there are only four booked in and all are men. There is no air conditioning here.

The bed feels firm but I prefer it that way.

I have had a long chat with a German Police Officer who is walking sections of the Route of Santiago de Compostella. He was previously in the military and he says he will join my army to return to England and claim the throne. I am strongly recruiting.

I had a tin of cassoulet and some green beans for my meal so that my teeth don’t rot with any more sweet things.

It has felt good to travelling on the bike. Tomorrow it could rain and it will be cooler too but I won’t mind that.

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