5 July Ancenis to Corsept

After a very hot and sunny day, we had a very wet night followed by a showery day. We had decided that to ride over the bridge at St. Nazaire, it would be better on Sunday, hoping for fewer lorries etc. this meant getting as close as we could by Saturday night. We set off and headed for Nantes, good clear signs and small roads to start with, then good cycle track right to the centre. This was much improved since Ann and I were here about 2 years ago.
We found the Tourist information, got some accommodation, numbers and had lunch.
We set off out of the city which was relatively easy, still following the signs to the ferry across to Le Pellerin. Here a forced stop for coffee. Then on, surprisingly to the sound of music. A Reggae festival on the Isle de Bois. We were directed around the festival, along the Canal Maritime de la Basse Loire. a very long and straight road. Towards the end of the canal there was a reserve. We first saw a coypu close to the road, then a stork on a solitary nest pole, take off. A number of cormorants in trees, and a large number of egrets. Followed by a buzzard again very close to the path.
The rain started again, very heavy, so by the time we got to Paimboeuf
 we were soaked. As we had booked into a chambre d'hote, we thought we should eat first. The only place we could find in Paimboeuf was outside the camping site and just about to open. We entered, dripping wet, but no-one batted an eye, we had duck in honey and rosemary, with chips and followed by a tarte tatin, and a beer or two. Replenished, we set off for the final few kilometres to the chambre d'hote, on the way, through the mist we could see the bridge in the distance, it looked high and very long,the directions were good, we quickly found our accommodation, bikes in garage, wet clothing drying and glad to be inside and not camping tonight.
John P met someone who was also doing our route, and mentioned that he had seen 3 ladies, ( the ladies in chiffon), a few days earlier, then later today we went past them as they were at a shop before we got the ferry. Both strange and pleasant to know of other people on the same route.
Mileage:- 55   Total:- 850

Nantes

Ferry across the Loire

Large group of Egrets