Charlie

You've got a friend in me

No complaints, no sarcastic comments. Together we can go far.

Thank you, Christian Jung

Some of you may have noticed that the website was down for a bit this morning. This was due to maintainance of the server. Christian Jung, who has let me use the server for over 20 years since we both used to work for Mannesmann, was making room for more

Where the Cher meets the Loire

Where they actually join is hidden by trees, but it's all just beautiful.

Along the banks of the Cher

Au revoir à Tours

The way out of Tours wasn't the prettiest - we nearly lost one of the crew as we twisted and turned down narrow streets - but we finally made it to the banks of the river Cher…

Al Fresco

We decided to stay in this evening and enjoyed French cheese (cantal, tomme de montagne and brie de meaux) sausage, salad and wine: Montlouis and Saumur. Bonne nuit!

Spot the difference!

While we were waiting for Astrid to finish her ice cream outside the cathedral in Tours, we started noticing the differences between the two towers, which aren't immediately obvious. Cathedrals are often built over hundreds of years, as architects, styles and techniques change, so this is quite normal.

Please mind the step

The staircase in our house in Tours. Fortunately, the flat does not live down to this level!

A Room With a View

We arrived in Tours at the end of a hard day and had to fight not only with the traffic signals, but we also found ourselves in the middle of a massive flea market! It was so busy that we had to get off our bikes and push for a

Today's Key Metrics

The number of kilometres tells only half the story because we had the most climbs of the tour. Not really long, but steep and when you're carrying luggage your really feel every gram. But we made it and it turns out our appartment is good and close to

Dinner in Tours

Somewhere on top of the world

Just after lunch, there's another climb and it's a beast! 500m and probably around 10%. Lowest gear possible and breathe in as much oxygen as possible. Get off and push if you have to. And then at the top there's a autumn strong wind

Lunch time!

We were hoping to be in Amboise for lunch but the gravel, and sometimes even sandy, paths, and the couple of steep climbs, have held us back a bit. But we've still got some croissants and brioche from breakfast so it's time for a well earned

Are these for us?

Just as we leave Chaumont we see these three barges. Maybe we should take them? Yes, maybe we should have: two minutes later and the road rises suddenly into the heavens. We've obviously reached the alpine part of the Loire! A real test of our nettle and condition!

Chaumont sur Loire

There's also a huge castle but, as it's on top of a huge hill, we'll just admire it from afar!

Au revoir à Blois

On the road again! 😱

The curse of the coffee machine

Not only is the apartment in Blois exactly as expected, it also has a Senseo coffee machine!😁 Except after the first coffee it refuses to open again. 🤬 It was difficult to get to close in the first place so that suspect there may be something stuck in it already. Kerstin

Supper time!

Today's Key Metrics

After a somewhat hesitant start a pretty impressive performance!

Impressions of Blois

Rien ne va plus

Spontaneous outbreak of joy as the crew arrived in Blois!😁

Mode à la road

After the rain of the first few days, we're now enjoying a golden September. But the sun brings its own challenges. Here we see Madame K modelling her latest creation: the kneeshade. Protects the sensitive skin from sun and wind. Find it in our online shop. 😃

The Bridge at Beaugency

According to Kerstin, our minister for culture, this is one of the oldest bridges in France. We're just happy to sit on a well placed bench and enjoy the view!

On the way to Beaugency