Camping Le Braou, Audenge

Desperate to cycle as far as possible before the heat of the day stopped us, we left at eight-thirty this morning. The Italian cyclists who we'd spoken to a little yesterday evening decided he wanted to talk. We don't mean to be rude, but we need to set off. Sorry.

Thankfully the cycle along the forest trail wasn't too taxing. Yesterday had tested our stamina, and we felt tired. Plus Angela's left knee was troubling her after her fall. The cicadas were once again at full volume. Yesterday their cacophony got into our minds. Were they laughing at us? We don't know how many miles we've ridden through the pine forests, all we can say is, a lot. We are desperate for a change of scenery. However the ride through the fragrant trees has been an education. We now know what the escape exits look like if a fire breaks out. Always good to know. Eleven-thirty arrived and the temperature rose. It was difficult to find a shady spot, albeit still warm. A sports hall in Audenge saved the day with a large covered outside area. We were only six miles from Bignos our designated overnight stop, but the heat was just too much so we decamped to the nearby municipal campsite which has turned out just fine.

The pitch we chose a young German family with a caravan wanted as it was right opposite the children's play area. So we moved. It would have been mean not to, after all we were staying one night. The mosquitos here are rife, drawing blood at ever opportunity. The German man phoned his wife and asked her to buy mosi spray for us as well. A fair swap for the pitch. Six euros well spent. Tomorrow we must decide our onward route. Our French neighbours are astounded we've cycle from Nantes in twelve days on non electric bikes. They are from La Rochelle. We may take a train to Bordeaux or a little further on and pick up the La Scandiberique, a cycle route which runs from Trondheim in Norway to Santiago in northern Spain. Obviously we won't cycle it all. We have to be back at Cherbourg in three weeks. Before any plans can be confirmed we must check the weather.