Day 2 – Saint Mere Eglise to St Martin des Besaces

For anyone who knows me they will not be surprised to learn that I struck up with a conversation with a couple in our campsite; fellow cycle tourers, Libby and Jose. Following some bicycle geek chat I ascertained they were heading in the same direction, so they kindly invited me to join them. It was lovely to be cycling with others; I am quite content solo cycling but I do really appreciate company on the bike, chatting, spotting items of interest (wildlife, wildflowers, nice gardens, wild cherries) and to share them with others. Libby and Jose were fine company, and we enjoyed a cycle southward along the Cherbourg Contenin Peninsular, towards St Lo.
The topography was flatter and we headed across the salt marshes, famed for their cattle grazing and the resulting product, Crème Fraiche. We enjoyed a crepe stop (Nutella & banana) before heading across the river towards the mainland part of Normandy south of the peninsular.
My fellow cyclists were on gravel bikes with wide tyres, almost twice the width of those on my trusty Trek 1000; nonetheless it served me well as we followed tow paths beside rivers and canals. Bike talk alert: route planning can be a rather tricky enterprise of cycle touring; previously one relied on proper maps, and a trip to Stamford’s in London was normally required to find the particular OS map sought. I rather like proper maps, but when cycling a trans country route, this would require tens of maps, and with space at a premium, this is not ideal. Fortunately the internet has revolutsionaised bike route planning, including some great tools; I am fan of Komoot and used them for Lands End to John O Groats last year. Today Jose rocked my world by alerting me to the fact that you can choose a cycle touring option on Komoot; rather than just road cycling hereby affording routes far more inclined to those cyclists who enjoy a spot of nature watch along the way!
Following Jose’s route I discovered many beautiful villages; so off the beaten track! The only down side is that following a mostly rural route limits food stop opportunities. So we were rather delighted to discover a genius combination shop in a tiny village of population less than 100; combining bar and shop! Sandwiches and Orangina consumed we continued to a delightful campsite, https://www.sous-les-etoiles.camp/. It is a perfect site for cycle tourists, they even have a specific area with roof for cooking should the weather prove inclement. Fortunately, not required this evening!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pedalling Poole to Provence for Parkinson's

As someone diagnosed with Parkinson’s’ Disease aged 37, I was rather desperate to find any silver linings possible, and at the very least rays of hope to help me weather the storm that accompanies receiving a diagnosis of a progressive degenerative incurable neurological condition. Within weeks of receiving my diagnosis I discovered Cure Parkinson’s and subsequently attended their seminar on research they have funded.  There began my journey of equipping myself with the maximal knowledge I could on cutting edge research, to hopefully minimize the burden of this disease upon my future life. The research funded by Cure Parkinson’s is literally working to save lives, and selfishly I am rather keen that they do this apace! Having cycled Lands End to John O’Groats last year, I made a rather delightful discovery for myself; that if I cycled at least 50 miles a day I no longer felt that I had Parkinson’s. I was able to write a letter again, something I have not done for many years. And so, t
Read more

Day 1- Poole to Saint Mere Eglise

Image
It’s rather lovely to start a journey setting sail from your home port; for me this is Poole, Dorset. Setting sail from Poole on Brittany Ferries ship Barfleur is particularly significant for me, as it was almost five years ago on a sunny summer’s day that I was setting sail from Poole as I received a telephone call from my neurologist to impart the words I was dreading to hear. “Hi Claire, I’m afraid your DAT scan is abnormal; you have Parkinson’s Disease.” A few weeks previously my sister had driven me to Poole hospital, where the lovely team in Nuclear Medicine, gave me a radioactive isotope and asked me to return a few hours hence for the Radiographic DAT Scan. The news that I have received from my neurologist sank in as the Barfleur Ferry navigated its way through Poole Harbour, past the chain ferry and alongside Shell Bay. Summer holidays were in full swing and I could see families aplenty enjoying the sunshine, sand and sea. I wept. I was 37; single; a GP Partner, almost a Pub
Read more

Day 8 - Hereford to Ironbridge

Having enjoyed a delightful stay at an Airbnb in Kenchester at a stud farm, the cycle across Herefordshire began; beautiful countyside with lots of farming along the way, alas no spring lambs to share my lunch with! I took a mostly country lane route, first to Leominster. Feeling a little low in energy I took the opportunity of a little bakers to grab a doughnut, and whilst sitting on the bench outside a lady called Hazel asked me whether I was on holiday in the area; I suppose there are not many lycra clad cyclists with panniers frequenting Leominster! I mentioned my cycle for Cure PArkinson's Trust and she kindly donated £20 to CPT! Thank you HAzel! Onwards to Ludlow, and as I cycled into the town I spied my mother's VW van, and managed to bump into her on the street there, so we enjoyed a delicious al fresco lunch at Harp lane cafe, whilst a classical guitarist busked on the street! It was wonderful! https://harplane.com/ Onwards then across Herefordshire and into Shropshire
Read more