September 28, 2015
We are in Orange: I think Mr Bean was with us today
Last night we were staying in the wonderful hotel Le Prieure and we made a silly mistake. The hotel has two restaurants one serving 'normal' food at 'normal' prices, the other a very high class one. We realized we were in the wrong one once we had seen the beautiful linen and silver and viewed the menu and wine list! It seemed to be too crass to get up and walk out so we decided to enjoy the treat. My fois gras and steak were both delicious and the wine which was a red from a new appellation in the Drome the Vinsobre certainly in a different class from what we have been drinking previously. It was a memorable meal and surprisingly small - I don't think it was designed for hungry cyclists.
Today was a nightmare of navigation. We crossed the bridge from Bourg St Andoel, foolishly didn't stop to read the information board then missed the sign directing us to the cycleway. On and on we went on a busy road which thankfully had a good hard shoulder. I was concentrating too much on not being hit by a truck to look at what was surrounding me. I didn't miss much it was a peculiar mixture of industry and agriculture and we were then riding next to another Nuclear Power Station. After 15km or so we were once more crossing the Rhone and I spotted a path beside it. So down we went and followed it along hoping it wasn't going to run out. Eventually we once more crossed the river and picked our way across the country to Pont-Saint-Esprit. Still no sign of the cycle route so I just set the GPS on Orange and it gave us a pleasant route. Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of the river and there are not many bridges across it, so it was many extra km.
We ended doing 64km for a trip that should have been about 40km. Just dropped off our stuff and into the centre of Orange to look at the ancient Roman Theatre which is said to be the best preserved one in Europe. We sat in the sun enjoying a beer and looking at the theatre when Ken saw a cute dog he wanted to photograph, up he got and spilt his untouched glass of beer all over me. People must have wondered what sort of old soak I was as we walked to the Supermarket and then home. My clothes are now washed and I have had a shower and I smell better
Today's ride: 64 km (40 miles)
Total: 3,004 km (1,865 miles)
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