30 June Amboise to Chenonceaux

An excellent meal at L'Epicurie, sat outside with the massive walls of Chateau d'Amboise towering up just across the street.
This morning we visited the Chateau, another very different but amazing place. Stunning views along the river, an great entrance and impressive gardens.
WWW.Chateau-Amboise.com
Then we went to the Chataeu du Clos Luce & Parc Leonardo da Vinci. Again very impressive, but very different from the other ones we have seen. This had much more of a 'home' feel to it. The rooms were very light and airy. The basement and Parc had a number of da Vinci's inventions/ideas on show.
WWW.vinci-closluce.com
After lunch we cycled on to Chenonceaux, which we intend to visit tomorrow. Found the Camping Municipal, €8.70 for the night. All set up and tried the local bar for customary beers, and now sat in tent, and it is raining.
Mileage:- 10   Total:-  645.5

Photos

Try this link:-
https://plus.google.com/photos/112154000003605398598/albums/6028175890040224161?authkey=CJC95vPx6ojIlQE

29 June Muides-sur-Loire to Amboise

I think we all enjoyed the 'day off', and we now all have clean clothes.
We had 'chicken'n'chips last night, and attempted to eat what we would not be able to carry. Heavy rain again through the night, but it did stop as we set off.
But we soon stopped to put on waterproofs as the rain got heavier. We passed Blois on the other side of the river, great views and the rain stopped.
We had lunch at Cande-sur-Beuvron, many more cyclists about, then we remembered it is Sunday. Most of the route has been good cycle path or small roads, but early on we had a rougher section, that with the rain made it treacherous, very slippery, which with laden bikes is really awkward. Jenny came off once, but no problems , and we had some sticky moments. We stopped in a Spa hotel at Mosnes for a drink before heading up the slopes of the vineyards on a loop that would bring us to Amboise. It was great to get a bit of height and the views were worth the climb. The plan was to get a hotel in the town in order to visit some of the main attractions. We just got into the hotel before the heavens opened, though the sun is now shinning again.
Mileage:- 37  Total:-  635.5

Blois

Plant Pots, Large!

Local Gardener

Local boats

28 June Muides-sur-Loire Rest Day

10.30 After a very pleasant evening eating in for a change, we all had a good nights sleep. Fresh Bread and croissants, orange juice and coffee and all is well with the world. The predicted
8.o'clock rain started at 7.40.
10.00  Enthusiasm for a day trip is waning fast. But, we went. Chambord was amazing. Such a vast building. Too much to try and describe, check it out on Google.
We managed to get there and back without rain, though we now have a thunderstorm.
Mileage:- 10   Total:- 598.5

And we stayed here, big compared to a tent.

27 June Beaugency to Muides-sur-Loire

The Hotel de l'Abbaye was something else. Enormous rooms, a massive staircase, which was lit by candles when we returned from a meal in town. The breakfast was almost all made or grown by monks and nuns in local monasteries. It was a lovely evening.
Today we were travelling a little further in order to have a day off, wash everything and visit a place or 2.
Soon after setting off we passed three German ladies. We have been passing them or being passed by them over the last 3 days. The first time we saw them they were all wearing floaty batik tops. Ann & I have called them 'the chiffon ladies', John & Jenny call them 'the 3 graces'. We all wave and call out when we pass.
The route is now mainly wide and very smooth Tarmac, well signed and since Orleans has become quite busy by contrast to the earlier part of the trip. The forecast is for heavy prolonged rain so we have hired a chalet on a campsite for 2 days for our break. The thunder has started, followed quickly by very heavy rain, and John P has been sent for essentials, wine and beer. A wet and bedraggled John P arrived back with enough supples to last out the rain.
Mileage:- 12  Total:- 588.5

 A few pictures of the Hotel de l'Abbaye. A very enjoyable stay. Our room was Frere Valentino's. I am not sure life was so hard for these monks.

26 June St. Benoit-sur-Loire to Beaugency

A good meal on the terrace of the Hotel Madelaine. A very quiet night and we awoke to more sunshine. Breakfasted in town and then a short ride to Germigny and it's church, famous for its shape, a Greek cross and the mosaic. Well worth the visit. As we entered the church a small group of vicars(?) were gathered at the front and sang a Gregorian chant. Pure chance we were there but wonderful to hear.
Then back on the route and apart from one or two short rougher parts and a section of cobbles that was just a bit too long, we were on levees and smooth cycle paths. The route into Orleans was very well signed and easy to follow. Another city that seems to have had an upgrade and provides good safe paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
We were soon through the city and back into rural countryside, bowling along at 13/14 mph.
Our next stop was Meung-sur-Loire, a lovely old town, with narrow streets and what look like York "snickleways". Looked for a hotel here but they were full. So on to Beaugency, where we got a room in the Hotel de l'Abbaye. Very Grand.
Mileage :- 50  Total :- 576.5

Mosaic ceiling in Germingny des Pres

Bridge over Loire at Orleans, looks similar to one in Fulford.

Bedroom in our tent.

25 June Gien to St. Benoit-sur-Loire

A later start after some essential shopping, Gaz and lunch. Another hot day and more pleasant cycling along paths, small roads and river side. We planned a shorter day to allow time to have a visit to the first main chateau we pass at Sully-sur-Loire.  For a while all we could see was the very top of 2 towers, then as we came along the riverside the woods opened out to the chateau. A large moat surrounding a very impressive building. We spent an enjoyable couple of hours exploring the rooms. I found the most impressive part was the massive cathedral style wooden roof, looking very much like an enormous upturned boat. The rooms had enough artefacts in them to give an idea of how they might have been used. Which is better than many of the buildings we have seen in France which often have just empty rooms.
Following the advice of the guide book we continued on to Benoit-sur-Loire for a camp site. A very quiet wooded site just out of town.
Mileage:- 26  Total:- 526.5