Le Havre to Nevers (7th-18th March)
We have been cycling for 2 weeks now and have covered a lot of ground. We have had varying weather of heavy rain, scattered showers and dry but cold. Night's in the tent have been pretty cold!
THE ROUTE
(Le Havre)
After our last night in a 'proper bed' for a while, we stocked up on food and headed out of Le Havre. We cycled through farmland to a pretty little town called Harfleur and then on to Lillebonne. We saw 2 massive birds nesting at the top of a post. Our first night camping was beside the river, very tranquil.
(First night camping on the River Seine)
We followed the Seine down to Rouen. This is funky town with lots of bars and restaurants all along the river. Unfortunately the heavens opened just as we approached so, after taking shelter for a while we continued on to find a camping spot for the night, this time near a railway line.
From Rouen we headed throy St Aubin Les Ebeuf and Les Andleys following the river. We saw lots of beautiful houses and chateau along the way.
Next on to Vernon where there is a beautiful old house built over the river. Down to Giverny, home of Claude Monet. We saw his house, which seemed to be having some repair work, so we continued on.
(Giverny)
From Poissy we made the decision to bypass Paris as we were not too keen on cycling through the city. Also, from a previous trip through Paris on the boat, we knew the river on the other side was not a nice area to be cycling.
So, away from the river, we headed towards Versailles. We had various 'route barree' - closed routes. Some due to flooding and others due to road works. Today the weather was horrendous, it rained heavily all day. We saw the Palace of Versailles, which even in the rain, was crazy busy with people. Again, the outside of the palace seemed to be under repair ... we have since discovered the Olympic horse riding will be held in Versailles, which could explain all the 'route barree'! Unfortunately for us though, this has added many, many kilometres to our journey and a few hills we hadn't expected!
(Palace of Versailles)
The other side of Versailles we cycled past Orly Airport. This felt like the biggest airport ever, it seemed as though we were cycling past it all day!!
From Versailles we rejoined the river route and headed to Samoir Sur Siene and Fontainebleu. Fontainebleau has a beautiful forest, which we cycled through. We cycled along the River Le Loing which led us back to our original route at Nemours. Here we left the River Le Loing and joined the Canal De Loing.
Following the canal we headed to Montargis where we then joined the Canal De Briaire down to Chantillon Cologny and on to Rogny Les Sept Ecluses. This is a series of 7 locks in a stepped fashion going up (or down) the canal. This genius piece of engineering was built in the 1500s as part of a series of canals to join the Mediterranean with the English Channel. It is now just a tourist attraction as a new canal has been built.
(Les Sept Ecluses)
On to Briaire town itself. This town we remembered well from our boat trip through France, as there is canal over the river below. This was designed by Gustave Eiffel. A strange feeling being on the water, crossing the water below!
(Briaire Aqueduct)
From Briaire we joined the Canal Lateral A La Loire, which goes through the Loire Valley.
Here we caught our first sight of vineyards in Sancere.
(Sancerre)
THE SIGHTS
In Normandy we saw many Carrossier Normand, small horses. We also saw Llama and a lot of deer, sheep, goats and cows.. we even saw what looked like some highland cows.
The villages we cycled through in Normandy had the most beautiful houses and chateau, all uniquely different.
ISSUES TO DATE
So far we have had 6 puntures ...... yes 6!! The first 2 being before we left England. 3 we have now discovered were caused by a tiny shard of glass in the tyre which we both managed to miss on the first 2 inspections. Fingers crossed that's the last!
One flat sleeping mat. On the second night camping Christine ended up literally on the floor. We have eventually discovered the seam had split near the valve. We have super glued it back together ....watch this space as to how long it lasts!
One lost nut causing a loose pannier. Quick stop at a bicycle shop and the donation of a replacement nut along with tool to fit it.
One loose set of handle bars - a kind man in a car garage tightened this for us, followed by a friendly fist pump!
Darryl's watch got wet in the rain and we discovered it is not as waterproof as we thought, when the screen condensed over. It was still functioning for a while but has now given up the ghost.
The navigation phone had a blip, would not load properly and then promptly lost all the plotting we had put on the map, along with some very helpful tips we had picked up from a french bikepacker!
Whilst repairing a puncture the pump exploded into pieces.
KINDNESS OF STRANGERS
The French bikepacker we met kindly lent us his pump when ours exploded and then insisted we keep it. He said he was heading to a big town with a Decathlon and could get a replacement, whereas we were days away from anywhere we could get one. His top tip ..... always carry 2 pumps in case of emergency in the middle of nowhere.
Whilst mending another puncture a chap walking passed with his dog asked what the problem was. After taking his dog home he returned with a pump and a puncture repair kit. We used the pump as it was bigger than the one we had been given. The man then insisted we kept the repair kit 'just in case'.
(Lunch by the river)
