Day 12

So, we now have a regular routine; who packs the bags, who seals the bags (not necessarily the same person!), who sorts out drinks, batteries, checking out etc. it's all starting to run smoothly. And, of course, who writes the blog, which is now alternating. Whoever writes it, allows the other to check it and suggests improvements. Which is just as well, as yesterday's composition from Ann read something like this ....

......betwixt the dales and the meadows floweth the tinkling stream on its way to the river and the sea, under the broody sky, and betwixt and between and over and under, by the verdant sway of copious grasses, heathers and huckleberries.......

Why don't you just say "The cycle path followed the river", I said. 

Anyway, it's been fun, appreciating our differences! Haha.

When we arrived last night, I knew what to expect, and led Ann in through the cobbled steep tunnel, causing her to wonder where on earth we were staying...

Once through the gated tunnel, we came into the courtyard with fortifications on all four sides, which I tried to capture with this panoramic photo taken today:

We went into Sedan at lunch time, but the French still seem to observe the no shopping on Sundays rule, which was quite handy, as we have no room to carry anything! Ann did notice the shop below and smiled....

On the way back to the hotel, I saw this local threesome, and thought to myself, that's put the cat amongst the pigeons!

Top tip to any budding cyclists who fancy doing something like this, take some little squirts with you! These are the best invention ever .......

After our day of rest, tomorrow is planned as a relatively early start. We will skip the expensive hotel breakfast, as we have already bought some cheese and French bread, which we aim to eat about 10ish with hopefully 10 miles completed - probably somewhere betwixt the hills and dales!

Staying at the Chateau Fort de Sedan has been really nice and has been the first time that this route has crossed with mine from two years ago. This week, we have 4 days (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) each with about 50 miles and gradually more and more hills. However, we are feeling confident and have now completed half of the journey. 

    Internet photo :)