Broadsword calling Danny Boy, Broadsword calling Danny Boy

Sunshine - first for a few days

Day 8 – 108 Km not out !! Sanguinet to Hourtin

108 Km sounds much more impressive than 63 ish miles which is why I am a late convert to the metric system. Even more impressive is the fact we are lugging camping gear and still into that flipping north wind which is keeping the temperature down to a maximum of 12 today according to all the temp gauges we saw on the pharmacy signs along the way.

Because of the cold, we are back in a camp site chalet – my fault really as its a bit nippy for me but the rest of them were up for it. I am going to have to use this camping gear soon. I spent over 300 quid on it and so far that breaks down to £150 per night camping. Not including site fees. I really have to get that tent out a bit more to bring that unit cost down a bit.

Plus the fact the 4 huge egos we are carrying around with us after getting some decent miles.. sorry.. kilometres under our belt wouldn’t fit into a tent, having said that, we shouldn’t get too carried away with ourselves as another wet day like yesterday will bring us back down to earth sharpish.


Today was our first day in France when we did not get berated by a motorist, which is hardly surprising as most of today was spent on cycle paths. Of the 100 Km’s done today (did I mention we did over 100 Km’s today ?) about 75 of those were on pukka cycle paths. It seems that all the old railway lines have been converted into cycle paths. It is great terrain for riding bikes full of luggage but would be a bit monotonous doing it all the time. Needs a few mountains really (Never happy are we).




Given our lack of progress yesterday, it was an early start leaving Sanguinet at 08:30 in cloudy but dry conditions and made our way to La Teste and onto the cycle lane that was to take us all the way to Lacanau eventually. The fleeces came off after about an hour although the raintops stayed on all day to keep out the cold but we did just get our heads down and pedalled like the clappers. No elevensis in warm coffee bars for your intrepid travellers today, we were on a mission.

The cycleway enabled us to avoid all the urban areas of Biganos, Audenge and all the way to Lege so it was just a case of stopping for Snickers, Haribo coke bottles and a first for the trip, bananas ! (Try saying bananas in a french accent, doesn't work)

Needless to say, by the time we reached Le Porge at 13:00, it was a case of running on empty so we managed to get into a Boulangerie just before it closed for some big eats. I personally set a PB in consuming an egg and bacon quiche, croissant and glorious fruit tart in under 4 minutes from start to finish.

The others also gave in some pretty impressive performances. Then it was across the road to a place called “The Pick Up Cafe” Needless to say, Mrs B insisted on a photograph in front of that, doing one of her alluring poses, apparently !




It was at this point that the knees saw the light of day for the first time in France. Bit of a shock when we started riding again but soon warmed up after a while.
We got to Lacanau and was just figuring out how to get up to Carcans when a French cyclist leapt on us to provide us with unrequired directions but in the interest of international relations, he was politely listened to while he babbled on trying to persuade us that the cycle route might be three times further in distance to Carcans but would be much nicer. And he reeked of garlic !

After he slung his hook, we then carried on the N3 road up to our next destination before finally getting up to Hourtin where there is a choice of about a dozen empty campsites and here we are for the night.

Anne is happy, she has found a washing machine so is busy playing with that. She just will not get into the spirit of the trip and insists in washing clothes at every opportunity. Everyone knows that cycle tourists need to chuck up a little bit –it proves effort after all.

Unfortunately the wifi does not reach our caravan thingy we are in so I now have to leave my warm confines and walk over to the reception and setup outside for the duration of my communication. Its a bit like being in the French Resistance where you go out to a hidden transmitter (wifi in this case) and quickly send a pre prepared transmission. Broadsword calling Danny Boy, Broadsword calling Danny Boy – Great movie that was !! Richard did all the talking and Clint shot everything on sight,as per.

Hoping for a change in wind direction soon and will be out of the Aquitaine region when we get the ferry across to Royan, probably by tomorrow lunch time.

To be honest, it has been another slow news day, hence the amount of padding you have been reading but to be fair, we prefer our adventure to be a bit less epic if possible.

Must go now as my chocolate tart is waiting for me in the fridge and is shouting to get out. Dont know what these endurance athletes are on about when they moan about not being able to get enough calories. We are having noooo problem, hence the love handles are still alive and well.

Bye for now

A & G

PS. My Office