Arrondissement de Gourdon

Waking up to a Baltic but clear morning that needed the heat on in the van to get us up out of bed. Lunch packed we pedalled off to a nearby medieval town Martel 6 miles away up a long hill. Part of the draw was a scenic steam train ride running today. Our route to the town was along quiet, empty country lanes. We hadn't booked a ticket expecting it to be quiet.... but we didn't factor in another national holiday (Ascension Day). When we got there it was heaving, with families (schools all shut), motorcycling groups, cyclists. You name it. We did get a ticket, but there must have been 200 on the train ride, steaming through tunnels in the rocks and past majestic viewpoints from the cliffs. Not sure how any asthmatics would have survived the return journey with the train in front...the smoke in the tunnels was choking!
Then we pedalled on into the medieval centre and were seduced into a menu du jour at a nice little restaurant that seemed to have attracted all the cyclists too. Very tasty . We had a nice glass of local wine and sat in the sun. Picnic tea instead tonight.
Lovely return journey down wooded lanes and through wild flower meadows.
Campsite busier than its been all week. Think its a french " long weekend"
We will leave them to play in the Dordogne. Moving on tomorrow.Read more

Slept in today, not sure why. Woken up by barking dogs. Set off a little later than planned on a hike the campsite owner had recommended.
Out along the river, then scrambling up under the limestone cliffs , and up onto the plateau at the top for a picnic and a splendid panorama .
The route down had some health and safety elements, so much so that we googled the French emergency number! (112)
But we made it down safely. Walking poles probably responsible for saving us, not least from several aggressive dogs who tried to ambush us on the route.
Back to the van and spent the evening watching our camping neighbour fly fishing beside us as the sun set.Read more