Staying within a stone’s throw of the Abbey, we were ceremoniously awoken by the bells! No need for an alarm clock then!
Our accommodation included breakfast which we were to help ourselves to in the breakfast room downstairs.
We had scrambled eggs in the microwave, fresh coffee, fruit juice, fromage blanc, pears, clafouti, porridge, bananas…
Suffice to say, we set off on our ride ‘fully loaded’!
There was a pretty morning mist. This go heavier and wetter as we progressed but provided a welcome coolness. We rode close together with front and rear lights on. It was sometimes hard to see through our glasses as they got wet!
Then at 9:30, as if a light had been switched on, the mist cleared and the sun shone through.
There were a few ‘undulations’ today, but then a lovely long open stretch where we stuck together and made really good progress.
We met Jo and had lunch in Airvault.
We continued after lunch in the heat of the day. I got quite a severe pain in my right back. I wasn’t sure if it was a stitch or a kidney stone!
We stopped and Sally gave me paracetamol.
It was a shorter ride today, so I managed to limp on to the end including a final hill.
I will have to be careful in the following days not to eat too much for lunch, and to try and pace myself afterwards!
Our accommodation was Clo Hujobe, Parthenay (updated prices 2026)
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