Tuesday, September 8th
It was another perfect start to another perfect day. I even managed to tune my electronic bike gears after getting some good WiFi and some good YouTube instructions. The Bike Adventures boys were also keen to learn, so now we're all experts!
Virtually all of the ride was over the rolling hills of pre-Pyrenean France. I've ridden in this area several times before, and it's just lovely - small hills, fertile feels, and views into the distance.
We thought this kind of thing only happened on the King's Highway! What looked like tar turned out to be road base, but it did give us a few worrying moments thinking what tar would do to carbon fibre...
This is a typical scene - trees and fields, farm houses and barns, and always a church spire or water tower in the distance.
We were discussing faux Tudor houses the previous night - you know, beams painted onto concrete walls in brown paint. There's nothing faux about this place.
This arch doubled as a bridge to the nearby church and cemetery, as well as the exit to what may once have been a fortified hilltop village.
The road behind - I think perspective makes some of these climbs look steeper than they are (but not always!).
Fois Gras - from the home of happy geese...not! (but it's still a favourite of mine).
Another rolling hill scene, but this time with our first view of the Pyrenees in the background - no, they are not clouds.
This was supposed to be the lunch spot but we got here early enough to regard it as morning tea. When I was cycling through here in 1997 I reckon I passed through this town going in the opposite direction.
Anyone got €100,000 for a house in France?
Some of the churches are so massive they don't fit unto frame unless you stand back far enough, and that's not always possible in small villages.
Who's this guy coming up the hill?!
A XIIth century church - that's old!
At the bottom of a long descent and 2km from our destination we bound a beer in bar on a boat by a lake and it took about 10 seconds to decide to stop. Even the local police couldn't resist the temptation.
At first we were just 5...
...and eventually virtually everyone was enjoying a few drinks in paradise.
Marciac looks very prosperous and the square is large and surrounded by restaurants and bars.
Even our hotel is located on the main square.
Those who didn't drink by the lake had a good time.
The bikes were originally going to be stored "off site", but in the end they got a better place in the rear yard beside the rooms.
One of two large churches in town.
Another view of the square with another "authentic" Tudor building (OK, so I know Tudor usually refers to English architecture).
A beer or two before dinner.
And dinner in the best restaurant in town (TripAdvisor says so).
The end of an almost perfect day.
Happy Birthday for tomorrow, Prue - I love you.
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