Post is ready, all photos ready to go, but... I only have a very slow and unstable internet connection from where we are (which is a great thing, it shows how remote we are here!) and therefore can't get these uploaded... So, for now, just a short text update, the photos will follow as soon as I can get them properly uploaded. Update 15 July: they're online now!
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It's definitely a special year for tourism, also in France. Even in Ile d'Oleron it was clearly quiet for the time of the year. On our campsite, there were just a handful of other campers, and we were even offered the low season price without asking - less than half of the normally applicable high season price. A restaurant owner also told us things were still really quiet compared to normal. We noticed lots of French tourists - and that will certainly increase from now onwards, as the French holidays only start from the national day 14 july - yet indeed very few foreigners. It must be a tough time for many tourism entrepreneurs...
For us, the Covid-19 pandemic also has its consequences - but we're absolutely not complaining. We just need to adjust ourselves to the situation, and we're glad we can travel around at all. There are positive sides to it. Of course, it's nice there are few tourists and we get to enjoy places more. People are also very friendly and welcoming. As for our plans, it seems we better skip Spain and Portugal for now with the newly emerging Covid hotspots; we just really don't want to get stuck if things are escalating. So, while we are in a really good place currently, with Geert and Brig in their incredible place in Mainzac, we'll need to look at our options and decide where to go. We haven't done that yet, although we have some ideas and we're getting close...
Cycling in the past days has been outstanding, we've been following Eurovelo 1 (see
previous post) further until Royan and it is truly recommendable. From Royan we followed our own route until just before Cognac (yes, that Cognac) where we joined the French
velo route 92 which follows the Charente; again, truly fantastic! Here are the pictures, enjoy!
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On Ile d'Oleron, during our rest & exploration day, we did a "tour of the island" - which meant we did 65km... It was absolutely worth it, and we really liked most part of it a lot. Ile d'Oleron is more "real" than Ile de Re, which is very charming and picturesque yet feels more artificial and touristy.
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Traditional oyster farming huts
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Oyster farming village
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After we left Ile d'Oleron we continued to follow Eurovelo 1 along the coast until Royan, knowing well it was not the shortest route to Mainzac. We were not disappointed, as it was a very cycling friendly and beautiful itinerary through the typical Atlantic coast pine forests and along nice coastal tracks.
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A coffee break to kill for... And yes, we definitely took our time here!
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Just not enough time to wait for these berries to ripen
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Another part of the cycling route, nicely following the coast on fantastic cycling tracks
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No comment
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| Just fantastic! |
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Gradually we were getting more and more of these pine forests, which will be even more the case if we go down to the Landes region eventually
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We were fortunate to find a small rural campsite (aire naturelle) where we had a giant lawn just for us
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In the morning, with clear blue skies, we were "lucky" Google Maps took us over some very small roads... Throughout this day, we cycled on such small roads and tiny villages, that we did not find any grocery or bakery until 3pm to buy some food. We were starving by the time we did - and it just made everything taste even better.
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Picturesque France...
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And more
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Giant fields of sunflowers, always fun to cycle along with the flower heads smiling at us
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| The La Flow Velo route (route 92) took us along the Charente River, clear clean water with perfect picnic spots on its banks |
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The Charente River was a very pleasant surprise, especially around the town of Cognac and the kms afterwards. What a beautiful region!
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Lots of vineyards, lots of old and majestic wine houses, castles, charming villages and all that on small pleasant cycling roads without traffic under the perfect blue sky. This is what tour cycling was made for.
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Impression of the tour cyclist kitchen, here being lucky there is a plastic table and chairs at the campsite. Gas stove, a cooking pot, pasta, pesto, courgette and some other easy (means: no cooking required) but nice ingredients like olives and capers.
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The beauty of camping, captured in a photograph...
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More of the Charente charm
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Each village has its own historic church, usually 11th-12th century
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After a few wonderful cycling days, we arrived in Mainzac, where Brig and Geert awaited us in their house with lots of friendship, lovely food and a good selection of drinks.
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The house, which we call home for a couple of days.
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Great walks in the Charente countryside. The village of Mainzac has a population of around 100 people, and many kms around it there are only a few tiny hamlets. This place is the ultimate peace and quiet.
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Another roman church, 11th century, with the perfect blue sky backdrop.
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Tomorrow we'll be on our bikes again, off to the next destination - wherever that may be!
