Faire le pont

Straight into typical France.

At a canal picnic spot, a team of energy workers having lunch. Table cloth, wine beer and a BBQ.

It's been a while since we have spent any time in France, and didn't check the public holidays. Last Thursday was one, shops shut and then they all take the Friday off "make the bridge" for a long weekend. Campsites were rammed, so we took a rest day.

For the first 5 days after leaving we lived it up with a bed every night (hotels, my brother's and ferry).

Finally on our 2nd night in France Jean made me camp.

She suspects me of sabotage, when while crawling out the next morning I fell over backwards, flattened the tent and cracked a pole.

Gaffa tape restored it to a functional state.

The route follows the Brest/Nante canal. It's a long canal.

Over 200 miles to Nantes. You can have too much canal.

Along the way we met various people doing the same route, some on their own, some couples and one English couple on a tandem.

They are all faster than us, and can ride further so not seen any of them more than twice.

We finally hit the bright lights of the big city of Nantes.

We had an exciting run in, first we found a shop that sold the camping gas cannisters (ours had run out and the last campsite owner donated a half full one).

Then we came across a little old French lady struggling to extricate her car which was blocked between two awkwardly parked cars.

After trying to direct her (she just couldn't work out the angles) , in my politest french I asked if she would like me to do it for her.

She didn't miss a beat, jumped out and let me take over. She then had the audacity to direct me!

Anyway, I squeezed it out successfully with Jean watching the gaps between the other cars.

Then it was down into the city, full of cycle lanes and everyone giving way to bikes. So civilised.

Next, the Atlantic, which is just around the corner now.

Total miles in France so far = 284

Pas mal.