We checked out of our hotel, clean and dry, warm and well rested. Leaving a city is never that easy or pretty but we found bike lanes, a nice Boulangerie to stock up for snack and lunch, and climbed the everlasting hill out of Rouen and into some nice suburbs. Before we knew it we were in gorgeous countryside.
The attention to detail in gardens and particularly on hedges is so remarkable here. The hedges themselves are lush and thick and healthy and the hedge trimmer is a very popular tool.
We didn't get much rain while riding but we were definitely getting followed by dark clouds all day, and yes they finally caught up with us.
Loved this graffiti. WHAT?
We basically had 50k of rolling hills and very small villages. Poppies and crops.
Churches, but not the same style as the ones we saw yesterday 😉 Less gothic, more community.
The wind mills didn't seem to be turning much but we definitely had a nice tail wind.
We cycled by a maze that looked pretty spectacular on the sign! We didn't venture in, but there was an empty bus in the parking lot and many kids shouting and squealing (with joy, I think?), making us a little nervous to stop.
These little communities have these water stations - presumably they don't have water systems / fire hydrants, so they have these reservoirs.
After a stop at the grocery store, we cycled into the campground and got escorted to our space (the 3 star campgrounds escort you, so fancy).
We put up the tent and just as the last stake went in... Yup ... The rain started. We are dry. Not as warm as last night, but dry and nestled in our tent, with food and wifi. All good.
We had a few minutes without rain for a quick walk around the campsite to stretch our legs and find these beautiful peonies.
But we are back inside with a lot of rain falling. We love our thermorest chair adapters so we can sit in some comfort inside the tent.
Tomorrow we will be crossing from Normandy into Hauts-de-France, marking another stage in our Tour 2025.
Strava stats for today.
Sleep well.
Stay warm and dry.
Glad the rain held off mostly until camp was set up. Hoping the patches hold and you get a good nights sleep. Hard to believe it's been 24 days - what an adventure and history lesson.
ReplyDeleteWow - I'll be interested to hear the stats on how many rain-free days you had at the end of your trip. And also how many days/nights over 20C (if you keep those records). So much rain, and so many cool nights. You guys are troopers.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're into a beautiful cycling area.
Those peonies - wow! What a colour!!!!
Hey there is a Neuchâtel in Quebec, cool.
ReplyDeleteLove that privacy hedge at your campground!
Note to self buy those Thermo rest chairs for touring and camping in France !!!