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Day 5 So this morning Mike dropped me back to Montrichard, where I had finished the last days cycling. He then went back for Annie whilst I set off. It was good chance to practice my map reading skills, as for the last few days I was happy to let Mike take over and direct me either giving instructions at regular intervals during out 'rest stops' or waving his arms madly at roundabouts where Annie had deposited him to make sure I took the right route! Saying that, I took 2 wrong turns in the space of half an hour, good news was I soon realised and at least it hadn't been uphill. However, it did mean that I got thinking about the solitary map of France I had, and that perhaps on investment in some better detailed, regional maps might be the way forward.
Anyways, got some good mileage under my belt before lunch, where Anne had found a lovely little shady spot not far from the road where I devoured a couple of croque monsieurs and whatever else was put in front of me. I think Mike was quite content to have stayed there completing his Sudoku all day!
Still, I pressed on to Chateauroux, where it was a mad dash to try and follow the Mini through the town, before emerging on the other side and heading to La Chatre, which was out destination for the day.
The going was tough during this last leg, again down to the headwind. I took a video of some flags flying in the wind to illustrate it's strength, and had it confirmed when watching the weather forecast. Unfortunately large red arrows were pointing in exactly the opposite direction to where I am riding!
Still, managed to get to the hotel, which is absolutely delightful. Lovely old French farmhouses, and Anne had treated me to my own room too! Dinner was not a disappointment either, and I think technically could have been 5 courses! After that I retired to my room, where I packed and repacked my stuff several times over attempting to reduce the weight with each attempt.
The weight really is the single biggest factor going forward. It's hard enough pulling my relatively large frame uphill, buy when you have additional weight also, it makes it 10x harder!
Still,
Only going to get to Barcelona one way, and that's pedal power! Shorter day tomorrow, and I will spend the afternoon trying to sort out accommodation. Anne & Mike raised a good point in that France will pretty much close down over Easter, so it's important to have stuff booked, and also to make sure I've got enough food on me to keep me going if the little towns are likely to have shut up shop!
Hope you're enjoying the blog so far. There is one thing I have declined to mention, apart from the wind, the weather has been immense and I have a cyclist suntan with big marks in my legs, arms and bright white hands where they've been in my cycling mitts!
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