65.1 miles

Ascent 465 metres. Descent 353 metres

Reflecting on the first week of the ride we concluded that at times it had been a bit shambolic. We resolved to be more organised this week and with that in mind we booked accommodation for tonight before we left. Hallelujah!

We packed up our tent and said a fond farewell to Chef Francois and his wife (we are on first name terms now) promising to return and arrive en auto.

Ten minutes down the road and I had lost Alison. It took 4 phone calls and three miles to find her. Not the organised start we had promised ourselves.

We started on the road out of Andely toward Vernon for our planned coffee stop and noticed a new cycle pathway clearly signposted to the town. We followed it for 10 minutes before ending up on an overgrown path in a field. Deja Vue. We arrived in Vernon in time for a late lunch.

Lovely ride through the countryside abundant with poppies and wild flowers.

Arrived in Dreux late and then after a shower went out on the town.

But this is France and everything closes midday on Sunday. Alison was gearing up to make a pasta delight on her gaz stove in our hotel room when we found a bar that was open.

Bon Appetiit