Tour de Grand Est - Stage 1 - Haute Marne

This is the map of the intended complete cycling route. We may stray, but this is the idea. Today we started at the green arrow, Chaumont, and did our first 50. 

Somehow oatmeal tastes so much better after a night in the tent. We woke to a beautiful blue sky and a symphony of birds, including "Sammy Crow" at the very tip top of a tall, tall tree, somebody caw caw, cawed to me. (Sorry for the ear worm 😍)

The first hill of the trip was in the first kilometer of the day and it was 12% 😳.  Thankfully it was not yet too hot, and only a few cars came by, and were very kind and waited to safely pass. It was a tough climb. 

One of three today. 

The middle section of the day was along the Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne.  Very peaceful and pretty, only a handful of cyclists.

We were cycling "up" the canal so a little uphill each time we came to a lock. 

We passed very few towns today. Not what we are used to in France. We could not find a bakery.. 😳

Charming French Marc asked for advice from the local postal worker, and she was full of advice... about the waterfall, the hiking trails, the history, and all the lovely things we should see.  However, not so much help with the food question. 

The little town had one place to get bread:

We actually got a little pastry from the same machine. No idea what it was but we were happy to split it and get back to the canal. 

Lunch was a Solby family favorite, one small packet of peanut butter, shared, on a baguette with some apple. 

Cycling a canal is so peaceful, no worries about cars or directions. We saw one beaver having a swim, and at least four herons.  Herons are so beautiful to watch take off. Hard to capture while riding but: 

Once off the canal the hills were steep and the air was hot. We found a grocery store and enjoyed some air conditioning. 

and then climbed again to find our campground. I had to stop and enjoy the field of daisies 🌸

We have another grassy shaded pitch, with another picnic table, sweet!  The campground is surrounded by farm land and we watched as the cows came home. 

Our touring meal plan has started, enjoying local veggies and trying to make sure we get enough protein.  "I'll have the chopped salad please" 

We are happy to be touring once again. We have learned so much over our trips, we can fall into the rhythm quite easily.  The cows have now gone home after taking on the birds for which animals could make the most noise this evening. Now the bugs are singing goodbye to sun and we will soon too. 

Until tomorrow 

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