This was another day of two halves. I had an apartment overnight, so I had a huge breakfast before leaving. As soon as I stepped out, it started to drizzle but I had to get some food for the day. Google suggested a Boulangerie around the corner – permanently closed. So, while searching for the next option, I found the markets in the centre of town.
That meant a baguette, pastries, cheese and a tomato. It really is the small simple things 😁. So, loaded up, I headed down the hill to cross the amazing bridge one more time. Over it and a couple of photos later, I found the signs to the Eurovelo 6 and turned north. Today was going to be easy.
Then it rained, and I thought ‘It can’t last, just keep going’, until it got pretty heavy and the wet weather gear went on. The temperature dropped and all of a sudden, it wasn’t a nice day at all. About 20 minutes (of disbelief) later, normal service was resumed. The rain stopped and while it was still cool, it was going to be a good day again – beside the Loire for the most part.
That’s where I had my lunchtime coffee. It wasn’t lunch but it was midday. I polished off the pastries, made a start on the bread and made yet another sensational coffee, in a clearing beside the river. It was very quiet. A few cyclists and one kayaker went past, but that was it – as the sun finally got some strength in it.
I’d passed a lady on an eBike about three times, and she’d done the same. Each time it was Bonjours all ‘round. Later, when I stopped for my real lunch, she rode up and sat down at the picnic table. She’s from Paris and was full of tips and suggestions for my next trip.
I still wasn’t completely sure where I’d stop today. I was behind the schedule I’d planned for the six days to Paris, but it really didn’t matter. I could get a train from anywhere into Paris. I’d prefer to take it easy as the scenery, food, buildings and people are fantastic. France is my favourite cycling destination in Europe, closely followed by Italy. The drivers a respectful and really practical.
I pulled into Briare which looked like a nice place, but I felt like going a bit further. It was here that I left the EV6 and started following the EV3. I spotted a campground at Ouzouer-sur-Trézée. Google also said here was a grocery store there and it was open this afternoon. Sounds good to me! So I headed there along the canal.
We were gaining some height because there were so many locks along the way. I found the campground which looks really nice. Nobody was going to be there until 6pm and there didn’t seem to be anyone in the campervans and tents that were there. I headed into town to discover that there hadn’t been a grocery store since Covid. There was a Boulangerie which had a few things left, so I got them. There were no restaurants either. I then went back to the campground to wait for he manager to arrive. Still nobody around.
Checking the map, revealed a place about 15kms further, and there is a good campground and food options in the morning. I had plenty of time, so I left. Even a wrong turn and a reroute couldn’t delay things too much, and imade it to Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses with time to spare.
There were tourists and restaurants but I had enough food for dinner and breakfast, so I stayed at the campground. I ate at a table under a marquee then sat and read in the common / relax / reading room while my devices charged. I haven’t been to a campground with one of those before.
