Sunday dawned cool, cloudy by dry and there was a great debate about which ride to attempt today. One under consideration was a there and back ride along both banks of the Loire. However, it was eventually agreed that this might be too long and rather exposed given the weather. Instead we decided upon one of the recommended Chateau au Velos rides through the Sologne.
After breakfast the LLW had some work to do so Ray was dispatched to procure some provisions. Knowing the LLW very well, Ray realised that said work would take longer than forecast so set off on a 9 mile ride through the Foret Domaniale de Boulogne to the village of Neuvy and then south to return to Bracieux close to the southern bank of the Beuvron river.
The LLW had hardly noticed I had gone but was soon finished with her documents and we prepared for our ride through the Sologne.
Initially we headed north towards Chambord and deep into the aforementioned Foret before turning east. Sadly we did not see any signs of the many wild boar that live in this area but the cycling was easy and once we warmed up the temperature seem quite pleasant. We turned south and through the village of Neuvry, where Ray had been a couple of hours earlier, and on to Bauzy and then east through the heart of the etangs area to Fontaines-en-Sologne. Between Bauzy and Fontaine we passed several etangs and a very elegant private chateau called the Chateau de la Raviniere.
En route we had planned to have lunch in one of these villages but sadly all were devoid of any restaurant or cafe. On our way back to Bracieux we climbed a long but slight incline and arrived at Montgenet and a very nouveau riches mansion. Ray pronounced the owner to be a Maize Magnate evidenced by the fields of sweetcorn surrounding said mansion.
Once back in Bracieux and pulled up outside the cafe du commerce to find it overrun with drivers and passengers of classic cars who were doing the 2017 Tour du Loire. The restaurant had catered for around a hundred and were not able to offer us a full meal but did produce three very good desert cakes!
After just over 19 miles we were back at our chalet and decided upon a glass of wine and some excellent cheese that we had bought the previous day. You might say that it was entirely in the wrong order to eat desert and then cheese whilst in France but we didn't care and it turned out to very good cheese. Both were goats cheeses - one tres fraiche and the other tres sec which provided an excellent contrast. The tres sec was hard and very strong and the tres fraiche milder and soft.
The LLW had some more documents to embrace so Ray was sent off on another ride this time to the Chateau of Chambord about 5.5 miles north. As I left I could have sworn that I heard the LLW singing a version of one of John Storey's songs which went something like:
(Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in the above blatant plagiarism of John Storey's excellent song Dear Molly are accepted as untrue and definitely not representative of the opinions of the LLL (lovely lady lawyer))
Those of you who would like to listen to the original and much better version of Dear Molly can find it on John's excellent album More Storey Lines
Off then to Chambord and what a delightful ride through the Foret and arriving with a stunning view of this biggest and most elaborate of the Chateau of the Loire. As I stopped to admire the view I discovered that the participants in the Toure du Loire were here as well and all the cars were parked either side of the main driveway in front of the Chateau.
Back to Bracieux for a quick swim in the heated pool and then supper which was one of the LLW's holiday specials tuna fish salad. We learned that Newcastle had won 1-0 at Swansea so celebrated with another glass or so of Saumur
After breakfast the LLW had some work to do so Ray was dispatched to procure some provisions. Knowing the LLW very well, Ray realised that said work would take longer than forecast so set off on a 9 mile ride through the Foret Domaniale de Boulogne to the village of Neuvy and then south to return to Bracieux close to the southern bank of the Beuvron river.
The LLW had hardly noticed I had gone but was soon finished with her documents and we prepared for our ride through the Sologne.
Initially we headed north towards Chambord and deep into the aforementioned Foret before turning east. Sadly we did not see any signs of the many wild boar that live in this area but the cycling was easy and once we warmed up the temperature seem quite pleasant. We turned south and through the village of Neuvry, where Ray had been a couple of hours earlier, and on to Bauzy and then east through the heart of the etangs area to Fontaines-en-Sologne. Between Bauzy and Fontaine we passed several etangs and a very elegant private chateau called the Chateau de la Raviniere.
En route we had planned to have lunch in one of these villages but sadly all were devoid of any restaurant or cafe. On our way back to Bracieux we climbed a long but slight incline and arrived at Montgenet and a very nouveau riches mansion. Ray pronounced the owner to be a Maize Magnate evidenced by the fields of sweetcorn surrounding said mansion.
Once back in Bracieux and pulled up outside the cafe du commerce to find it overrun with drivers and passengers of classic cars who were doing the 2017 Tour du Loire. The restaurant had catered for around a hundred and were not able to offer us a full meal but did produce three very good desert cakes!
After just over 19 miles we were back at our chalet and decided upon a glass of wine and some excellent cheese that we had bought the previous day. You might say that it was entirely in the wrong order to eat desert and then cheese whilst in France but we didn't care and it turned out to very good cheese. Both were goats cheeses - one tres fraiche and the other tres sec which provided an excellent contrast. The tres sec was hard and very strong and the tres fraiche milder and soft.
The LLW had some more documents to embrace so Ray was sent off on another ride this time to the Chateau of Chambord about 5.5 miles north. As I left I could have sworn that I heard the LLW singing a version of one of John Storey's songs which went something like:
"Dear Document, kiss your sisters for me so they won't feel alone
Email me and tell me how the legal fees have grown
Tell me oh tell me how the legal fees have grown"
Those of you who would like to listen to the original and much better version of Dear Molly can find it on John's excellent album More Storey Lines
Off then to Chambord and what a delightful ride through the Foret and arriving with a stunning view of this biggest and most elaborate of the Chateau of the Loire. As I stopped to admire the view I discovered that the participants in the Toure du Loire were here as well and all the cars were parked either side of the main driveway in front of the Chateau.
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