FURTHER UP THE LOIRE

23.05.2015
The days at Cheverny were spent cycling around the excellent cycle routes. We did 3 major tours of 18,20 & 25 miles all along quiet country roads and forest tracks through farms,vineyards, villages and countryside. The routes are without exception well signposted with opportunities to stop at hosteleries  for refreshments and on one occasion an excellent 3 course menu du jour for €14 (£10) including a glass of kir to start and 1/4 ltr wine. The sun continued to shine although whilst I am in shorts and shirt the GF has 3 fleeces, a black waterproof outer shell, balaclava, scarf covering mouth and nose and wrap around dark glasses, almost causing accidents at every meeting with locals who gaze in astonishment at the avenging angel of doom bearing down on them.
The rally decided to for go the quiz on saturday after we cleaned up last week ( we had decided to move on anyway) and have a whist drive. I didn't like to tell the steward that the GF would have creamed that as well so we left and went to the gardens at Chaumont.
Last there 11 years ago when we had our first trip abroad in our first motorhome so a bit of a water under the bridge moment. These gardens are still stunning with their festival and we spent 5 hours wandering through  them and could have spent another  5 if we had the stamina.
Then onto Tours where we found another site close to the river in La Ville aux Dames, which is again on the Loire au Velo  route and offers lots of opportunities for the coming week.