Tuesday August 5, 2014

We have been cycling along the Vire river now for 3 days it is 130 kilometres long.  Today we had two options: Option one was to follow the EV4 until we came to Fourneau and then follow the D52 into Vire a distance of about 27 kms, then we would carry on to Sourdeval or even Mortain.  Option two was to carry on with the EV4 it would take us along a very scenic route to Vire, a distance of about 47 kms and stay in Vire overnight.

When we were packing up the tent this morning we could hear a donkey braying.  The light donkey was the noisy one – 2.3 kms down the river, we could hear the noisy animal.

We had to decide whether to stay on the EV4 or take the road, Ralf suggested we stay on the EV4.  As soon as we crossed the road to  follow the the EV4 it came away from the river route and kicked up into the hills and valleys.  We were up and down all day.  It was a good ride even with all the hills.

Here is the source of a waterfall, which we didn\’t find.  There was a sign for it, but it was just a little stream.

The route directed us to this viaduct.  It was a busy train crossing, now it is used for a bungee and swing.  I am not sure the bungee is still being used, but the swing was.

At the top of one hill in the Village of Bures les Monts, we found this lovely old \’castle\’.  Needs a bit of work, but lovely place, great views.

We arrived in Vire at about 2:30 pm, got the directions to another municipal campsite and headed to it.

This area was also badly damaged during June 6, 1944, although they were none to pleased at the Americans.

The centre piece of Vire is the clocktower, dating from the mid- 16th Century, it survived.

After our normal routine of setting up the tent, showering, I hand washed our cycling clothes, I hope they dry by the morning.  There is a nice breeze and the sun is out, I think they will dry.  Tomorrow we will have to find a laundromat.

As I am sitting here writing the blog (Ralf has gone to the store to get dinner) another couple of touring cyclists have arrived they are from Belgium. Now another two – from France.  Now another two – don’t know where they are from they are not speaking to anyone else.  Another two on a tandem with a BOB trailer also from France.  This is amazing 10 touring cyclists all in one camp site.  The couple from Belgium are really nice they came from the direction we are heading tomorrow and gave us a name of a campsite that they stayed in last night.  That is what touring cyclists try and do –  share information with other touring cyclists.

Ralf is back with Chilli con carne and couscous for dinner tonight.  Our general rule of thumb has been to drink on our rest days and have juice on our cycling days.  As we are on a budget in France it is wine every night and juice on our rest days.  A bottle of wine €1.99 – a bottle of Sprite or coke €2.55! C’est Bon.