Auxerre

Auxerre is a very nice town. Big enough to have most of what you could possibly need and small enough to feel accessible. It has an easy going quiet feel with many wonderful old buildings. And I am lucky enough to have a guided tour from my warm showers host.

Auxerre is a rest day for me. I am using the warm showers scheme - a reciprocal hospitality scheme for cyclists that are on tour. I request if I can stay, they luckily say Yes. I turn up and they put me up. Its free.

Dominque and Jacques are amazing. I have a room and bathroom for myself with nice view out over the town. The washing machine is soon on. The tent drying on the line. Water proofs, mattress and sleeping bags hung up to air. Dominique cooks all the meals.

The next day Jacques supervises my bike adjustments and pumps my tyres. He also finds an old piece of plastic that we cut to size in the hope it will alleviate the ground sheet problem. I clean the inner tent and, later, with tips from Dominque, set about darning the rat holes. I am given a guided tour of Auxerre by Dominque and she picks up a few local delicacies to make sure I get the full experience. Its clear that despite often doing this, they do really enjoy having cyclists to stay. As well as giving me needed respite from the wet and a chance to get everything back in order, it is so heartwarming to spend time with such generous and trusting people.Baca lagi