A reasonably early start from Les Gollandiers and yet again a brilliantly sunny day which started quite cool but the temperature rose rapidly. We were quickly on our way having battled with an automated 24 hour garage for our refill of petrol! Across the bridge we drove and using a number of D roads the WWN navigated very efficiently and we skirted La Rochelle and Le Roche sur Yon and in no time at all ( well to be accurate about 2 1/2 hours ) were approaching the Ile de Noirmoutier via the bridge. There are two approaches to the Ile one via the bridge and another via a causeway similar to that at Lindisfarne. We were not au fait with the tides so decide to give the causeway a miss. As it transpired the tide was fairly low and as we crossed the bridge we could see vehicles driving along the causeway
We found our studio apartment very easily at La Gueriniere, and Peroline Gouraud of La Conciergerie Noirmoutrine was waiting for us with keys and instructions etc. This is clearly a successful business providing meet & greet and cleaning service etc for many property owners on the island who let their properties. All very efficient.
A very nice beach style apartment with plenty of room for two nights. The LLW and I have definitely come to the conclusion that we prefer self catering which offers so much more flexibility and does not tie us to hotel restaurants and services.
We drove into Noirmoutier town on a reconnaissance mission and discovered that it was populated with very narrow roads and had no parking spaces available. We noted a large parking place about a mile out of town and resolved to return tomorrow and complete the journey on our bikes.
We needed a few basics such as eggs, butter and milk so stopped at a Super U supermarket on the outskirts of tow. It was enormous and sold everything known to mankind; at the entrance there was even a display of bikes for sale. Inevitably the LLW went off piste and the list of basics was soon supplemented with such essentials as Pate de Fois Gras and Livarot cheese.
Back at the apartment we had a short rest and caught up on the test match. The LLW then decided that her men needed more attention so documents were produced with gay abandon. Ray decided that he should adopt a low profile so headed off on his bike to explore the island. Within a short distance of the apartment a lovely beach perfect for swimming was discovered and we will return tomorrow.
There were lots of other beaches along the ride but unfortunately no road or track which followed the coast and all roads meandered through village with perpendicular dead end roads down to the beaches.
Now one of the failings of the otherwise efficient Concierge, Peroline was that she failed to have a map of cycle routes to hand. A black mark and now it will be necessary to visit a tourist information office tomorrow.
Purchases at the Super U included huge prawns, small but very sweet brown shrimps, baguettes, Livarot cheese and a good Tavel rose so we enjoyed an excellent supper at the apartment. Ray was very encouraged by Ben Stokes taking the wicket of Virat Kohli near to close of play. After a typical England batting collapse, they were rescued by Buttler and Broad and with India 6 down at close of play are in a reasonable position.
We found our studio apartment very easily at La Gueriniere, and Peroline Gouraud of La Conciergerie Noirmoutrine was waiting for us with keys and instructions etc. This is clearly a successful business providing meet & greet and cleaning service etc for many property owners on the island who let their properties. All very efficient.
A very nice beach style apartment with plenty of room for two nights. The LLW and I have definitely come to the conclusion that we prefer self catering which offers so much more flexibility and does not tie us to hotel restaurants and services.
We drove into Noirmoutier town on a reconnaissance mission and discovered that it was populated with very narrow roads and had no parking spaces available. We noted a large parking place about a mile out of town and resolved to return tomorrow and complete the journey on our bikes.
We needed a few basics such as eggs, butter and milk so stopped at a Super U supermarket on the outskirts of tow. It was enormous and sold everything known to mankind; at the entrance there was even a display of bikes for sale. Inevitably the LLW went off piste and the list of basics was soon supplemented with such essentials as Pate de Fois Gras and Livarot cheese.
Back at the apartment we had a short rest and caught up on the test match. The LLW then decided that her men needed more attention so documents were produced with gay abandon. Ray decided that he should adopt a low profile so headed off on his bike to explore the island. Within a short distance of the apartment a lovely beach perfect for swimming was discovered and we will return tomorrow.
There were lots of other beaches along the ride but unfortunately no road or track which followed the coast and all roads meandered through village with perpendicular dead end roads down to the beaches.
Now one of the failings of the otherwise efficient Concierge, Peroline was that she failed to have a map of cycle routes to hand. A black mark and now it will be necessary to visit a tourist information office tomorrow.
Purchases at the Super U included huge prawns, small but very sweet brown shrimps, baguettes, Livarot cheese and a good Tavel rose so we enjoyed an excellent supper at the apartment. Ray was very encouraged by Ben Stokes taking the wicket of Virat Kohli near to close of play. After a typical England batting collapse, they were rescued by Buttler and Broad and with India 6 down at close of play are in a reasonable position.
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