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November so far in the Forces-of-Nature Diaries
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Owner: squiz
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Member#: 6644
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Registered: 27-05-2007
Diary Entries: 3071

12th September 2014
Mt. Biking: Briare
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Friday 12th September – Bike ride ***** Briare to Beulieu

Leisurely start then a brilliant long bike ride – over 20 miles. We left the van in Briare about 11.15 and headed to the River Loire, we biked up and over the aquaduct and carried on along the tow path to Chatillon sur Loire. We had a look at the old part of the village which was up a very steep hill and I had a look in the church. Back on the bikes, round the basin where a huge hotel barge was turning round. Very pretty with the old buildings in the distance. This part of the tow path was very bumpy and grassy – think the proper path was the other side of the canal! Came out near the Martelot Lock with its old disused lock and bridge. The path then went along the bank of the Loire with some strange sculptures and then came to the Garston Nature Reserve. We biked through the woods and found a path down to the sandy bank of the Loire opposite Ousson sur Loire. We had to cross a small stream via old tree trunks which was a bit of an obstacle! We did our yoga exercises and had lunch here with the sound of rushing water as there is a weir just up river. After lunch we read our books and dozed. Carried on through the nature reserve which ended with a ford to cross but luckily there was a bank and a small bridge for us! The next part of the route was along a beautiful country lane with a stream running along the side. We past yet more water, a lake I think and finally came out onto the road linking Bonny and Beulieu sur Loire. Thought we had better go to the sign for Beulieu just to say we had completed the route then back and over the suspension bridge to Bonny sur Loire. Cycle paths all the way back past many streams and finishing off along the disused Canal Lateral from Les Comble lock to Briare. We have seen several kingfishers today, the best one flew through a patch of sunlight and we saw all his colours:) We stopped at the Patisserie for bread and a pain aux raisin:) Our neighbour, who lives in his camper on the quay and who we met last time we were here offered his key to the showers to let ourselves in after 8 when the Capitainaire had gone home! We had our tea then went and tried the key in all the doors before we found the shower block. Really enjoyed a hot shower before returning to the van for the evening. We fed our little cat with bits of spam and milk:) Another great day:)

Saturday 13th September

We left lovely Briare via Lidl and Intermarche and drove down to Moulins (which means Mills but we didn’t see one!). Stopped for lunch on the banks of the river l’Allier. We walked over the bridge towards the town and saw a kingfisher:) Headed for the ancient town but it was a little disappointing and apart from two huge cathedral style churches it was pretty dull. Headed back to the van and carried on to Puy Guillaume and drove up a steep wooded road which followed the la credogne river and gorge. Our map had one blue star marking the spot of the Cascade du Creux Saillant and we thought it would make a good place to stop for the night. This proved correct but the cascade was rather disappointing compared to our previous cascade finds. Lovely sound of rushing water though so not so bad:) Had curry for tea.




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Cannondale Trail 5 29er

 

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