Day 13. Laperche to Mont-de-Marsan. 68 miles
After breakfast said goodbye to David and Janie and set off down the road about 8.20. It was still quite cool, and I was keen to get as much distance covered as possible before the afternoon. I crossed the River Garonne at Le Mas d'Agenais. From here the road climbs over a low range of hills. Having raised the bike saddle a fraction, I found that me knee coped fine with the gradients, though I confess to choosing a back road to avoid the highest part of the main road. It was quieter too.
Brendan met me at Casteljaloux and gave me a tarte aux pommes as a snack. He went off to have a coffee while I set off for the next place - Houelles - where I had a chicken sandwich and an apple. The road hereabouts is dead straight for miles and virtually flat, and with very little traffic so I was managing a kilometre in 2 minutes. i.e. 30kph.
For a couple of hours I was passing through the western extremity of Les Landes, a vast area of woodland stretching to the horizon. Mostly pine and oak. Very few houses and no villages for the next 25 miles. But partly shaded and it seemed that a cooling breeze was blowing from the trees. Or maybe I was creating the breeze by cycling fast. We had a proper lunch break at Estigarde ( barely a hamlet) and I then turned off the main road to cycle through the villages of La Bastide d'Armagnac and Villeneuve-de-Marsan. The map showed a voie verte along and old railway track. It Was very green - not tarred, and simply a pair of gravel tracks through grass. But it was refreshingly cool. After some slow progress, I decided ordinary roads would be best. And that's how I arrived in Mont de Marsan. B had found an inexpensive hotel - the Siesta. a bit basic but clean. In fact, I did have a short siesta before going out for our meal.
David had warned us that today was a public holiday, so supermarkets would only be open in the morning. When we got to Mont-de-Marsan, pretty much everything was closed. The only restaurant, apart from pizza places, was one called La Casa. An excellent meal, menu at €23.50.
Posted with Blogsy
You're making excellent progress. I had you down as going to a campsite from your itinerary, but you do say it's 17km from Mont-de-Marsan. So I can see why you opted for the hotel.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be getting so near the border!
By the way, I gather you can see my comments but apart from the ones I submitted before you actually crossed the Channel they never appear.........? I think you have to approve them.
ReplyDeleteCan see them all now!
ReplyDeletehey, lovely to catch up on your last three days! I remember those long bike rides when the meals and snacks held such significance! Tarte de pommes sounds yummy! We're just back from Switzerland, high walking and family visits, also very good. all strength to you and hope you continue to find the energy!
ReplyDelete