Day 3, 2015

            Up and at them early!  I was surprised that I had any sleep last night.  About one, the man in the trailer next to be started rummaging through his trailer looking for God knows what.  Thirty minutes later he was still looking but he was drowned out by a concert being belted out on 100,000 watt speakers.  This lasted another thirty minutes ending with a barrage of fireworks.  I cannot imagine that this was done legally.

            The morning ride was glorious with nothing but superb biking roads curving through vast vineyards.  I stopped at a chateau near St. Brice and a monastery in Julienne.  I actually had an early lunch in Julienne.  The attendant in Jarnac was most helpful and gave directions into Angouleme.  Along the way a nice French family stopped and helped this puzzled traveler over a hurdle.  This ride was mindful of the ride through the Champagne country last year, the difference being that this year they are serving brandy.

            Angouleme is a large city on top of a hill.  The climb with 70 lbs of gear was horrific.  The noted cathedral was large but otherwise not noteworthy compared to what I have seen before.  Once again finding the Tourist Office proved difficult.  Only two signs provided directions and they were blocks apart.  A clerk in the mayor’s office helped out with a map but I found nothing at the spot on the map.  Finally, a French lady pointed me toward the office; it was neatly tucked and well hidden under an arch.  Not one sign hinted at its location.

The attendant, Enrico, was most helpful.  They always are.  The next campground was 43 km away.  He called and received directions.  Famished I stopped at Quick Burger and then I was off onto a very busy D 959 with lorries and cars coming in both directions..  I did not see a single cyclist.  The day before I saw two clusters of cyclists.  There were several long climbs of more than one km but fortunately the downs were equally long.  I was aiming for was Mareuli, anther bead in the rosary of picturesque towns in France.

Mareuli has suffered a quaint version of the British invasion.  The camp host, Sarah, is from Portsmouth.  My neighbors are British.  Their father lives in the area.  They have a beautiful camper.  He works for MOT, the British version of smog control, and she is a former nurse.  The proprietors of the restaurant are British.  Thirteen years ago, while vacationing in the area, this restaurant came up for sale.  They had been in then trade for over 20 years and decided to buy this place.  I had a delicious tomato soup, a wonderful salad, a tall cold beer, and an espresso.

Two days and two rides over 100 km.  I wanted to hold the mileage to 80 km but campgrounds are not always where you want them to be.  I have had excellent meals in the evenings.  This was more the trip that Aaron envisioned last year.  There were 4 or 5 occasions that the food matched our expectations.  Speaking of Aaron, I really miss him on this ride.  I need his youthful energy and his positive attitude.

 

Perigueux should have a Tourist Office.  Hopefully, the camping is not too far out of town.

Much joy!!!
Hardy