After cycling over 600 km in 7 days, we've almost reached halfway along the Eurovelo 6 route across France, east to west. We can't keep this pace up, and fortunately, the second half of the trip has a less hectic pace in terms of distance each day. The main reason for this is that the second half, the Loire Valley, is perhaps the most interesting in terms of history, places to see, 'attractions', etc. The second to the main reason for the pace is that we're meant to meet a friend of David's in Orlean - Stewart, who'll join us for the next half of the trip. When working out dates for him to join us, I kinda miscalculated by a day or two, giving us less time to get to Orlean. Don't blame me ... blame my 2A Unit Maths teacher in high school!
Our rest day started with me being up early and doing a walk around the Nevers medieval and middle ages areas. The history, and associated architecture, here are unbelievable. Buildings from the 7th century still survive!
When the rest of the team was up, we headed off for breakfast. Even at 9.00 am, not much was open. Stores here open at 9.00 or 9.30 am, close from noon to 2.00 pm, and close at 7.00 pm (or earlier if it's not busy). Plus being closed on Sundays and much of Mondays, I now seeking French citizenship.
We finally found breakfast and then set off on a self-guided walking tour following a blue line on a map borrowed from our host (more on this later). The map's blue line had a corresponding blue line painted on the road and curbing for those lacking map reading skills. Unfortunately, some of the Blue lines had been tarred over or faded over time. We spent as much time looking for a faded blue line as we did the many amazing city attractions - sights such as the Palais Ducal de Never, Cathedral of Saint-Cyr-and-Sainte-Julitte - Nevers Cathedral (an absolute must-see - bombed by the British in the Second World War and rebuilt in the 1960s), and the Municipal Museum, and Promenade des Rampartsaare!
After another chocolate eclair and coffee, and the others making similar health choices, I headed back to our accommodation to do some washing, while David did some more touring, and Brett and Col headed for a local nudist beach (a gravel area near the Loire river). They blamed the cold water on apparent shrinkage issues.
The map that I was to return to our host found its way through the washing machine after leaving it in my pocket. It's now very clean.
After a relaxing afternoon, we headed out for a couple of drinks then, for the first time on the trip, French fine dining of the highest order; a classy place of Michelin Star standards, and frequented by Nevers elite ... then we arrived ... (see photo below ... parental guidance recommended).
Brett's rugby shorts were a hit. After all, the Rugby World Cup is being played in France at the moment (although we did see many patrons leave the restaurant with meals half-eaten).
We enjoyed dessert.
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