Departed the delightful Arc-en-Barrios village this morning with Scott G. and Mark S. - my two amigos who had driven from Kent on Thursday evening. They will ride with me for two days before returning to London on Sunday.
The countryside as we left Arc-en-Barrios was simply stunning. Rolling hills surrounding the Aujon river and forest-lined roads made you wonder whether the three musketeers were about to appear at some stage. All of this as the early morning mist rose from the valley floor to leave us a cloudless and windless day ahead. It was simply a gorgeous riding day.
Is it true cows only sit when rain is approaching ? Could be wet tomorrow!
This is about as close as I got to them in the morning ...
The statutory mid morning stop at one of the more modern patisseries I have visited...
Patisserie offerings. What calories?
Lunch found us at Champlitte, some 60 km away, which had originally been our intended overnight stop. After a beer induced discussion we decided to do another 25 km.
I kid you not. This is the French version of a steak done "medium "....
Three musketeers at Chateau Champlitte. Not a bad lunchtime view from a bistro 30 metres across the road ....
Top of hill after a stunning ride through a forested valley floor. Who the **** would ever think I'd ride with someone who wore a vest?! His response was quote of the day "when the sun is out the guns are out "
With no accommodation organised we pulled up in Savoyeux which was about as far as Mark's body would take him. #brokenman We discovered there were in fact no hotels in town. So we had a brief discussion with the local supermarket owner about accommodation possibilities and he rang a local B&B owner who drove out to guide us to her home.
The local hospitality didn't stop there. Though the B&B owner spoke not a word of English she understood we needed dinner so organised the local pizza restaurant owner to drive out to pick us up and take us the 3 km back into town for a meal. That's been one of the truly great highlights of the trip. The warmth and welcoming nature of almost everyone I have met.