The Kindness of Strangers...

Eventually we got the bike sorted and replaced the rear tyre for a Schwalbe Marathon. We made our departure from La Breteche campsite and as we were the last customers of the year had our photo taken on the way out! This time

Ummmmm.. Intermarche carpark.

The day started with an epic hill, a proper lung cruncher. What felt like only a kilometre later we pulled in to an Intermarche carpark to stock up and heard another bang. Exploded tyre number two. Sunday morning in France, no chance of finding a replacement tyre. After removing all our bags and attempting a patch repair courtesy of a group of French cyclists, we decided that carrying on wasn't a sensible idea and so hatched a plan that Rob would cycle the unloaded tandem a kilometre back the way we had come to the campsite and then walk back so we could carry the luggage together. However, our master plan was thwarted by an exceptionally kind French family who insisted we had a coffee and loaded up their camper with our stuff and squeezed us in to take us to the campsite. Very, very grateful!

Onward towards Rennes then down to Blain

We left Dinan on road and headed to Evran where we picked up the cycle path to Rennes.

St Malo then south....

Got up early then ended up speaking to a motorcycle tourist for ages and left a bit late! Still left Malo about 9 though. We went accross the barrage to Dinard. It was not busy as the horror stories make out but it was a Dimanche so maybe thats the trick. Picked up a Greenway and followed it to Dinan. Found the Municipal Campsite and whilst waiting for the office to open noticed our tire was shredded along the tire wall! No shops open being Dimanche and all so we wandered about the town looking for a bike shop. Decided to stay another day and walked out to Decathlon for a new tire. Picked up some supplies and headed back. When we got back there was a tandem touring couple next door to us! Had a long chat in the morning before setting off, comparing bikes, experiences and generally having a good chat. Also very impressed with thier bike stand.

 

Pont Audemer to villerville

Found out the pump was broken today after having accidently deflated one of our trailer tires! Luckly there is a Decathlon near Pont Audemer! Bought a proper track pump some table tennis bats and balls and some little bits and bobs. Cycled to Hornfleur on the cycle path from the apocolypse. Hard cycle out of town to campsite. Tent up at 6:30. Ping-pong then bed!