Day 8 Decided to try and set off early today, as judging from the map and the previous days cycling, things looked to be getting harder in terms of the terrain covered. Had breakfast and packed up, however as I stepped outside the hotel I was greeted by an unwelcome change in weather: "il pleut!" Guess the weather couldn't hold out forever, so I donned the wet weather gear and set off. About 2 miles in and I was already getting soaked, more from the spray off ...

Day 7 Was a really tough day today. Left Aubusson shortly after 9am and the going was good for the first 10 miles, probably something to do with the road first running alongside the river, and then a railway track. After that, it got hard! The hills were absolute killers, long, slow gradients that just seemed to go on forever. Did have a funny moment on one of them though, when 'Running Up That Hill' came on completely randomly, like to think Em may have had so...

Day 6 Today was an early start as Anne & Mike had to leave soon after 8am in order to get up to Calais. Was very sad to see them leave, and does mean that I am truly 'solo' now for the rest of the ride. After they had gone I spent about an hour tinkering away with the bike, checking nuts, lubricating, sorting tyre pressures and repacking the panniers to be as equal in weight as possible, then set off. The going seemed painfully slow, and it took me time to ...

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,...

End of Day 4 and just under 75 miles covered. Had the chance to call it a day after 67, but wanted to keep pushing to build up some 'contingency' miles, especially as I have my support team at the moment. So I cycled past the place we're staying in tonight, and then Mike caught up with me later and bought myself and the bike back in the Mini (only made possible by the fact it's a convertible!) Today went pretty well, but the morning was particularly tough. Sorry...