Day 4 - Toquettes to Courville Sur Eure

Today marks leaving Normandy as I head Southeast across France; after a few rolling hills to warm up my legs I reached l'Aigle, alive and bustling on market day. And what a market! Rows of stalls selling delicious looking produce, not just fresh fruit and vegetables, but live produce!!! Chickens, geese, quail and rabbits! I am uncertain whether the latter are destined for life as domestic pets, or the domestic pot! I can just imagine Keith Floyd having a field day in this place, complete with his ever-suffering producer Clive!
In l’Aigle I discover a great bike shop; I am suffering a common complaint of the cycle tourist, numbness and pain in my hands, unsurprising when they are under pressure for over seven hours a day! My gloves are insufficiently padded for the task, fortunately the shop stock Castelli mitts and my hands are given a reprieve! The route continues its way across undulating terrain, little copses of trees proffering shade from the ever-warmer sun! A heat wave is forecast! Between the copses are fields of crops, prettily bordered with wildflowers, red poppies and blue cornflowers; I cannot determine whether they are there by natural providence or EU funded endeavour, either way I am delighted! Bugs delight in their presence as do I!
The terrain here feels familiar, there are lots of flint buildings, and even a sign for Beaulieu! Alas I think it may not be replete with motor museum!
The temperature rises and I am glad to arrive at today’s destination, Courville Sur Eure; team support, aka Mummy, has kindly established camp and we enjoy some tea in the shade! Ready for tomorrow’s challenge!

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