Wet and warm today. A quick cycle ride beside the river and then the relatively short journey to Amboise. Checked in to the municipal campsite on l'Ile d'Or an island in the middle of the Loire right in the centre of the picturesque town. Nice lady on reception at this well organised campsite. Was surprised to find that it only cost 11euros a night. I enjoyed a delicious plat du jour of tender slow cooked lamb. Visited Le Clos Luce which was the home of Leona...

Massive thunderstorm and rain in the night. Put toothpaste on my ankles thinking it was sting relief cream! Cloudy in the morning and took Sach for a bike ride so easy as so flat Then I biked to Chenonceau Chateau. Found out there is a campsite right there yet when i asked the girl in the shop she said there wasn't one there. I liked it a lot because there was a great feminine influence. Powerful females such as Diane de Poitier , Catherine de Medici, and ...

After a little bike to give Sach some exercise, she enjoyed a swim as well, I drove into nearby Blois- pronounced Blah. Delighted to find free parking on Sundays. Went to the tourist office. As usual you have to keep asking the questions as they don't seem to know much and try to get rid of you by giving the odd pamphlet. They look surprised that you ask for a map of the town. Anyway I persevered and asked about balloon rides. They tried to fob me off with a pa...

It rained all night and all day. Mileage 100 miles. Drove to Chateau de Chambord built as a hunting lodge starting in 1519 keeping 1800 workers and artisans busy for 15 years. That was just the start. Some hunting lodge! There is a double helix staircase which may have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci who lived nearby at Amboise where I plan to visit tomorrow. I did find it all fascinating. The chateau is set in the middle of 54 sq. kms hunting preserve wher...

A worrying bout of SVT whilst in bed before going to sleep. Then a bad dream. Then woke up with a headache. Not good eh! It can only get better. Decided to make a side excursion to Fontainbleau as it was only 90 kms away. Took it easy but the only frustrating part of the journey was that there were some major roadworks and the road was blocked and there were no signs where to deviate. The sat nav just wanted to navigate you back to the road block again. Somehow...