From Evelyn to 'Basil Fawlty'

Basil Fawlty is alive and well, and living and operating the Relais des Templiers Hotel in the lovely town of Beaugency some 150 kilometres south west of Paris.

Having called and booked accommodation in advance, we arrived to find the place wide open but no one to be found. Calling, banging and yelling for an hour elicited little response and we were on the verge of leaving when a very tired looking gentlemen wondered into reception.

We said who we were and yes we had a booking and our rooms were ready. However, instead of dealing with our booking and getting us keys etc, he went outside to have a cigarette. He explained that his lateness was due to him having a nap and over sleeping. We have reason to suspect he may have had a beverage or two over lunch.

Today marked our final ride day and we wanted a quick beer. Our host was unable to help (he could do beers but not quickly) so we found a bar around the corner and Ern ordered the worst tasting beer ever brewed. It was from Belgium and was disgusting. Peter and Colin then took over the beer order and managed Heineken.

The bar was also a little interesting and comment was made that it was perhaps the last watering hole in the region for those travelling to Lourdes!

The preceding paragraphs have dealt with the immediate end to the ride today but there is much more.

Our day started with an amazing breakfast hosted by the delightful Evelyn at the Maison Carre in Montrichard.

As mentioned last night, the 2006 tour group had been well remembered and we were privileged to be allowed to stay in the wonderful accommodation and to enjoy the sensational breakfast of Orange Bread, Pain, Yogurt, Croissants, Fruit nut loaf, coffee, tea, juice, 12 varieties of home made jams and spreads and the local speciality of Cherry Pie. We took our time over breakfast and engaged in conversation with a Canadian couple who we met again later in the day and who rushed to have a photo taken with us (well at the least the wife did).

Craig and Phil later ensured our tour group would also be remembered for an indiscretion when they turned up an Indian music CD in the van and proceeded to sing and dance while other guests were sleeping. Who is still sleeping at 9.30 am on a Thursday morning - I guess Evelyn's guests are.

In fairness to those of 06, Evelyn did record a video clip specifically to you all. It will be in our tour DVD (perhaps)

We departed Montrichard as a most satisfied and well fed group with the destination of Chateau Royal in mind. Good roads, a slight downhill gradient and a neutral wind (a true cyclist will never admit a tail wind - neutral being as good as it gets) we travelled the 35 or so kilometres in less than an hour. As Peter said, give us a largely downhill gradient, great road surfaces and a neutral wind, and you are playing to our specialist strengths.

Chateau Royal has a fascinating contrast to what we witnessed yesterday and we toured the grounds and structures at our leisure. The photos will follow - Craig is still working on them.

From Chateau Royal we encountered a return of the head wind as we set course for Chateau Chambard. We again made good time but it was much harder work. Chateau Chambard is an incredible structure and on first sight looks like it comes from a scene from the Jetsons TV show. This is one bizarre and magnificent castle and it is amazing to think that it was built by King Louis (one of them) however he only ever stayed there twice. Again, photos will follow.

We had the mandatory coffee (and tea) and headed for our overnight destination of Beaugency. Damian felt that rolling into the town to complete our ride at the standard 30 or so KPH was not a suitable way to finish our epic journey. He thought a final 4 or 5 k's at 45 to 50 kph to be more appropriate. The 2010 tour sprint finish was therefore on. Damian managed to build an early lead over Colin. The author would like to be able to say that the end result was close however Damian ended up winning the 5 k dash by some 500 metres and that included waiting for Colin at one point to check the correct road to take. Colin is blaming the difference is his 50 tooth chain ring versus Damien’s 53 tooth ring but this excuse has little credibility.

We dined at a local restaurant tonight and it was just about the only one open.

Tomorrow we head for Paris and a few days of exploration before gradually heading home. We are all looking forward to seeing family and friends but perhaps wish they could all come to Europe so we can see them.