I know it probably seems like we are intentionally making every successive day sound more amazing, more beautiful and more spectacular than the last and you might even imagine that we are doing this to generate interest and perhaps more donations.
The honest truth though is that the scenery genuinely justs keeps delivering more and more and over and over. Round every corner there is another view to marvel at and progress is understandably slow as we keep pulling over to take photos. This area of France (we are in the Gorge du Verdon in the Alsace today) is simply beautiful and October might just be the very best time to visit (as Marc and Dan take great pleasure in reminding me every 15 minutes…for those that don’t know I wanted to start the trip two weeks earlier!)…….I mean just check it out….
….we even take in a couple of minor climbs (after Ventoux everything seems minor!)….
….and stop for coffee at Marc’s new favourite restaurant (he’s a veggie)….…..although i am not sure if this is where all former X factor winners (yes reader, that really is a JLS reference…actually maybe the were runners up to Susan Boyle?) end up….
We had a choice of routes to day one long and very high and one slightly shorter and slightly less high….we choose the easier option (as you would!) but I feel sure it is the truly spectacular option….I cannot imagine how this route could possibly be bettered.
We even find a slightly less precipitous path down to the river for lunch and a paddle.
If you are ever in the area take the D925 from Moustiers Sainte Marie and head south…if you feel so inclined do it on a bike…it’s life affirming!
We roll into camp at the frankly shamefully early time of 1330 and once settled we head into town to explore.
Castellane may not be quite as pretty as Moustiers but it is pretty much perfect for us with a number of bars and eateries arranged around a small main square all in the shadow of a bonkers church…..
We settle in at one of them and start sampling the Leffe. Why have I never seen or sat in a laid back garden chair before….
…it’s a level of comfort and luxury that has been sorely missing from the last two and a bit weeks.
We are also finding the local sense of style very “a la mode” although I am not sure if I could carry this off at work, especially the glasses which “c’est la fin des haricots!”
We had a really nice email from Ray at Winstons Wish yesterday (possibly day before, very tired can’t really remember!) congratulating all three of us on our achievements so far and asking if they could include the picture of us at the top of Mont Ventoux in their new fundraising packs! It may only seem like a small thing to others but it feels major to us as and honestly, we are honoured that they would think of us.
I thought I would finish today’s blog with a pictorial reflection on our French inspired creative interpration of the Blair Witch Project which we decided to re-enact courtesy of a really strange little supermarket in Moustiers…enjoy
Tomorrow is our last proper big day of cycling so it’s early (ish) to bed ready for the the ride to the sea for the first time since St Malo.