There are times when you wonder why you bother to travel and then it is explained!
After the disappointment of the mountains (sounds like Phil of the SBS Tour de France commentary) I was dtermined to get kilometers under me. From Nevers I rode to Bourges and stayed one night. Bourges is nice enough with yet another magnificent 11th Century cathedral but I had trouble finding a meal but did get a good one in the end.
At 7 am the next morning I set out with a heavy heart to ride across yet more rolling hils of wheat, barly and canola but no people. I stopped briefly at Chateauneuf, a hole of a place with yet another cathedral (another story). I took a coffee at a bar and they reluctantly refilled my water bottle.
In even lower spirits in increasing heat I set off on a "sprint" across more plains of wheat, barley and canola (could be in a green Wimmera). I arrived at Ligniéres yet one mere liveless French small town at around 11.00. I was about to continue on to my ultimate destination of Le Chatre when something made me have a wander leaving my bike against a wall.
I found a small square with a large covered area rather like a farm shed with massive colums and beams. On part of this area was a motley collection of tables and chairs, none set but with what most interested me, a menu board. "Si vous plait, je voudrais manger?" With an affirmative? I settled down to a simple but very nice omelette and salad with a Pichet of cider. It doesn't take much to revive a boys spirits and for me, this was it!
As I take my coffee and look at the building opposite with pink shutters, I am mentally ready for more wheat, barley and canola. The Force is returning! As I leave the French are arriving to take thier Saturday lunch to a more normal routine.
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3 comments:
Hi Bernie,
It is a wet Sunday morning here and as you can see I have nothing better to do. Enjoyed parts of your blog but there were parts that I could not understand. My french is worse than hopeless. It might be like you trying to understand the words below (without the use of google or is it giggle!)
Ka mate ka mate
Ka ora Ka ora
Ka mate Ka mate
Ka ora Ka ora
Tenei Te Tangata Puhuruhuru
Nana i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra
Upane Upane
Upane Kaupane
Whiti te ra
Enough of that. We are missing you at the market on Saturdays. It must be your quick repartee. Sometimes it is just Peter and I by ourselves - oh dear, a bit ho hum. Off to tassie in a couple of weeks for Peters mum who is turning 80.
Haven't heard if you have picked up any french shielas. We need to know these things. ALso there was not a picture of the famous wedding tie that had us all holding our breaths in your early blogs. Did it also turn out to be a bit ho hum.
Peter is suffering today, sore throat, laryngitis so consequently not able to hold a decent argument with whereas that wouldn't be a problem with yourself!!
Okay. Time to go. The countryside sounds lovely, keep enjoying.
Elspeth
Hello Bernie,
I've enjoyed reading your blog, and have finally worked out how ot leave a comment.
The bike sounds like hard work, but it appears that you are undaunted provided that you get some odd tucker. Why is it difficult I wonder in the land of gastronomie.
I hope that you are not thinkikng of work, but the "Food Bowl" is front page of the Sunday Age today. It's not too negaitve in the text, but questioning. Some reference to an 'audit report' next week - what coudl that be?
Enjoy.
Gedrry
Bernie, how does the bike compare to the famous Mongoose, now sitting lonely in your garage feeling old?
We haven't heard much about the bike.Albert Street East Melbourne now has a dedicated bike path, and Melbourne city now has multi-use bikes, provided you have your own helmet.
Very cold here and much rain, and the Sunday papers are talking again about the food-bowl region.
Enjoy the fine weather while you have it.
Love Edith
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