Day 5 2015

            I awoke in a totally different frame of mind.  What did Sir Edmund Hillary say when asked why anyone would do such a stupid and crazy thing?  His answer was because it is there.  Mapping out the entire day really help and know 

ing that there was camping near Belves.

With help from the staff in a boulangerie I found my way onto D 2 which I clung to like a baby to its mother’s breast.  I do not remember a road that served me so well.  Even though it was filled with long downs and even longer ups, the minimal traffic was proper compensation.  Several biking groups raced by but none of them was carrying 35 kg of gear.  I took my time both on the ups and the downs.  What is the hurry?  I took several photographs.

I had a coffee and an chocolate croissant  in Lacropte and a burger with fries in Ste-Alvere.  Ste-Alvere is at the bend of a river and there are canoes and bicycles to rent.  Both villages were absolutely gorgeous..  

I was aiming for Belves but Belves proved difficult.  A tremendous climb with switchbacks but the clerk at Ste-Aleve promised camping.  I struggled on.  Fortunately this Tourist Office was reasonably easy to find but Carole had bad news.  The nearest camping was three km away.

My good friend, Fr. Paul Siebenand, e-mailed and listed all of the sights that I missed in Perigueux.  Paul and I came west together in 1965, fifty years ago.  No, we did not cycle but came in stye in a nearly new 1965 bright red MGB.  Yes, I once had style.

 

I stopped at a Spar for last minute shopping just in case.  The worry was unnecessary.  Everything you wanted in a campground was at Les Nauves, pool, quiet, good food, and gracious hosts.  I had a dinner of salmon, noodles, salad, ice cream, and café.  All for a reasonable price.