(written by Nancy) We have settled into our rented Paris apartment – nice to have a place to spread out, cook a few meals and do some laundry in a real washing machine!  The apartment is small, as I expect most Paris apartments are, but we managed to get our bikes inside so we don’t … Continue reading Paris Update

(written by Dave) We’ve made it to Paris.  We didn’t ride much today as most of our travel was via the train.  We are probably done riding officially for the greater part of our trip – ah, that’s sad.  We hope to get in a few rides in Oregon so that our friends in Sydney … Continue reading Á Paris (40/21,440ks)

(written by Dave) We’ve had another interesting and somber history day in Normandy.  We went on an organized tour this morning out to La Point Du Hoc, moved onto Omaha Beach and finished the tour at the Normandy American Cemetery. La Point Du Hoc was where the first Americans came ashore on 6, June 1944.  … Continue reading Normandy history day two (30/21,430ks)

(written by Dave) We had a big tourist day here in Bayeux today.  We started with the Bayeux Tapestry, moved onto Notre Dame Cathedral, then to the Battle of Normandy Museum and finally finished up at the British war cemetery .  We both agreed that it is a lot harder having a day of being … Continue reading Normandy history day

(written by Nancy) We had our last French lesson over breakfast today with our lovely hosts in Granville, Therese and Maurice.  We had another great conversation, working hard on our French and found out that Therese was a radiesthésiste – essentially a dowser or water diviner.  Imagine trying to talk about that in a foreign … Continue reading Our last French lesson in Granville – Granville to Bayeux (44/21,400ks + train, 366m)

(written by Dave) Today we visited Mont St Michel.  It was yet another confirmation that a pause here in Granville was a good idea.  Somewhere buried in a box, I have a copy of the book “1,000 things to do before you die”.  I’m certain that Mont St Michel is on their list.  Mont St … Continue reading Mont St Michel

(written by Dave) Another day when it is nice not to be slogging it out on the bikes.  It has rained pretty much all day long here in Granville.  We are struggling to get use to winter sunlight as well.  Even though we managed to have the blind up today, it is actually still dark … Continue reading Market day in Granville

(written by Dave) Are we bicycle tourists or are we tourists who happen to be travelling by bicycle?  That’s a good question.  We are quite pleased that we completed the JOGLE (the top to bottom traverse of the UK) but one of the side effects of doing this route was that it put us a … Continue reading Travel mojo restored in Granville

(written by Nancy) Well, as you can see by the numbers we didn’t make it far today.  A bit of a rough night in the ole’ chambre d’hotes last night – stuffy, humid, smelly – you name it, we had it.  Dave said this morning he was worried all night about bed bugs but we … Continue reading A few kilometers down the road – Donville les Bains to Granville (5k/ )

(Written by Dave) Three words describe today – wet, wet & wet.  It rained almost from the moment we left camp until we reached Donville les Bains some 70ks later.  We put this down as a “low fun content” day.  Today, along with the rain, we had a head/crosswind, giving us lots of heads down … Continue reading Low fun day – Portbail to Donville les Bains (70/21,346ks, 385m)