Day 3 Brissac-Quince to Saint-Loup sur Thouet

Last night’s hotel was run by an unflappable, elegant lady who checked us in, served beers, dinner and breakfast, did the laundry and the check out - a French hotel at its finest! Dinner was a delicious and bargainous 3 course feast for 28€ including wine. I had tabbouleh, paella and creme brûlée tarte. This may be the first cycling trip where I put on weight!
Breakfast was at 7.05 am (the boulangerie opens at 7) so that we could get pedalling early and avoid some of forecast heat. 



The first part of the ride was along the river Loire, so beautiful with lots of cycle tourists happily pootling along quiet roads.

We stopped in Saumur but failed to find an open coffee shop so just a photo stop.

15km further on was Fontevraud L’Abbaye, impressive in itself but more importantly featuring pistachio ice cream.



Lunch was next to a canal with noisy frogs,  biting bugs and the best picnic so far.

Only 18 miles left to ride after lunch but the temperature had climbed to 35c so a bit of a sufferfest alleviated by the gorgeousness of the countryside.



We are staying in a chateau this evening (as one does). Not only is it beautiful but it is delightfully cool inside.






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