Day 8: Saturday 18th July
115 km and 766 m of ascent
Again it was hot at 29 C in the shade! I was shattered when I got to my accommodation and my battery had virtually run out at 8%
Today, I cycled part of the way with the cycling buddies, Joy & Greg, who I had met on the ferry to Bilbao. They are an amazing couple. They cycle all over the place on long bike rides across Europe and this one is no different. They are cycling much of the same route as mine, – from Bilbao into France and then up to Saint-Malo.
Today we cycle past the great sand dunes, which this part of France is famous for. We eventually got Arcachon just intime to get the next ferry. It makes a good shortcut onto the next stage of the western cycle route EV1 up the west coast of France.
If we hadn’t taken this ferry, it would’ve meant a detour of probably about 40 km. There was some discussion by the boatmen as to whether they were willing to take my heavy bike on the ferry, but after taking all of the bags off, they eventually agreed to hoist it up on the roof of the small ferry. Thank goodness!
This area is famous for oysters, and as soon as we arrived on the northern shore, we sought out a very nice, informal restaurant with a table in shade. And we had oysters!. Not ours, but this photo shows a chef obviously ready for a meal in a first-class restaurant nearby.
The route continues through pine forests again, with our friends the cicadas noisily keeping us company. I left my friends turned inland around one of these vast lakes that this area is known for. Unfortunately, when I got to the cycle path, which would take me up north alongside a big lake, was closed, and I had to make a large detour and cycle on quite a busy road. However, the motorists were all very kind. There was no problem. It was just a bit noisy.
I was shattered when I got to the bijou accommodation, but the hotelier was very helpful. Nathan had been living in France for 30 years. He soon went off and got me a pint. He even booked a table at a restaurant in the village. Great meal! Thanks to Nathan!
