Friday 26. La Via del Plazaola

We made a better choice from the 12 euro menu last evening, salad and fish being safer options.



We started the day with an earlier alarm than usual. By 8:00am the majority of the packing had been carried to the car and we were having breakfast. We had checked out and were on our way to Andoain a 50 minute drive away by 9:30. Kate directed us to the town centre and local signs then provided direction to the park near the start of the bike ride.



We were into our first tunnel before 10:45. The path is around 50 km in length but we on cycled the first 25 km to Leitza. The whole route includes 41 tunnels and we have in counting the number we went though.




The route followed the route of the old railway line and slowly climbed up the Leitzaran valley, the first few km were on on concrete or tarmac but the majority of the path was compacted stone. Most of the tunnels were lit but lights were required for a couple of the longer tunnels.
You should not get lost following an old railway line but signpost along a section of road when the path looked like it continued straight on caused some dought. We followed the road and later checked with google maps and by stopping and asking a friendly Spain couple . Leitza after about 25 km of cycling was a short descent from the route and offered the only chance to get refreshments.



After lunch once we climbed back to the path apart from one short ascend it was downhill all the way to the car.



It was faster to returned but Lyn found the track a little rough for such s long section.



We were back at the car by 16:45 ready for the 2 hour drive to Abalos a small village in the Rioja region. We have checked in an our looking forward to our evening meal. Time for a shower.

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Wednesday 24th

Getting behind with my posts. Now in Spain
Today in brief. The last section of the Roger Lapebie cycle path to Bordeaux. A visit to a vineyard, a late lunch and a 2:30 drive to Spain. The temperature dropped 10 degrees just before the border but its still 26 degrees centigrade. Full post to follow.










The last section of the cycle path was a gradual descent to the river. The route followed the old railway line to just before the river and then followed the bank of Garonne on many minor roads to the centre of Bordeaux. We continued to one of the main bridges before retracing our steps. A Brexton coffee was drunk on bench by the car. We selected the nearest Bordeaux wine producer from the leaflet we had picked up at the B+B, put the address into Kate and set off. Chateaux Anniche turned out to be an excellent choice. We had comprehensive guided tour in English from the wife of the owner who was born in Liverpool. ( she had lost her Scouse accent ). Amongst the many interesting facts was the strain of yeast used to ferment the wine is selected to reflect that years growing conditions and the characteristic of wine you are trying to produce. Wine purchased and safely stored and it was then off to Spain stopping briefly for a late lunch. Once we reached the motorway only short sections were tolled. Our supply of loose change was used up before we had to resort to a note and Lyn had to hang out of the passenger window to retrieve the change!

Kate took us straight to the hotel it's just off the main road but I had booked a room at the back with a "mountain view" so we are unaffected by road noise.

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Via Verde del Bidasoa

We arrived at hotel Vents Etxalar just before 8:00 pm last night.




We booked a table in the restaurant to eat and opted for the12 euro menu that included a bottle of wine between us and water. The dishes were filling but not the best quality. My starter was boiled rice with a fried egg on top surrounded by a tomato sauce!

The buffet breakfast this morning was an improvement. Lots of choice , plenty of sweet options but also fresh fruit and decent baguettes and homemade tortilla's.



The ride on the Via Verde follows the course of the old railway. The path runs by the river across from the hotel but to get to it we had to cycle for a mile along the old main road.



The track was a mixture of concrete. tarmac and stone sections. It also included a couple of tunnels. Lights were required for one as as section of the internal lights has failed.






We went a short distance beyond the town of Legasa before turning round
and finding a baker's in the town for lunch. The ride back was mainly down hill slowed by more frequent photo stops. We past the bridge where we joined the track and continued for another 5 miles to Bera. The increased heat had reduced the number of cyclists and walkers. A bar in the town insured we were well hydrated for the 5 mile up hill return to the hotel.



We have booked in at the restaurant again but will be trying a different starter.





The wine was drinkable.

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Wednesday 24th

Getting behind with my posts. Now in Spain
Today in brief. The last section of the Roger Lapebie cycle path to Bordeaux. A visit to a vineyard, a late lunch and a 2:30 drive to Spain. The temperature dropped 10 degrees just before the border but its still 26 degrees centigrade. Full post to follow.

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Sur la piste Roger Lapebie

Full post to follow



Le Plantis












Evening meal

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A ride along Velo Vert

The start of the velo vert was 7 km from Le Plants. It runs north from Chanillac to Barbezieux St-Hilaire for 21.5km and south for 15km to Clerac. We drove to the start and headed north to Bardezieux. The route was mainly though countryside and was very quiet. We passed a a few dog walkers and several cyclists past going in the other direction. After a quick ride round Barbezieux we purchased some filled rolls and tarts for lunch and headed back along the Velo vert. We stopped at a bench on the outskirts of s village for lunch. We found later it was usually used by the locals who had to sit on the grass until we finished. We then continued to the outskirts of Clerac before retracing out steps.The information boards detailed the local flora and fauna slowed our progress. The area had been key to Frances domination of the turpentine market until demand for the product fell in the cities.

We returned to the B&B in time for a dip in the pool. Another tasty evening meal followed.

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A day culture and driving

We packed and left the accommodation just after 9:30. It was a short drive to Bayeux and we parked in the car park on the edge of the town. Lyn cycled the short distance to the museum whilst I walked. I returned the bike to lock on top of the car whilst Lyn purchased the tickets. The entry to the tapestry included a free audio guide that explained the key scenes in each of the panel's. To keep everyone moving we discovered that once started the guide could not be stopped and section of commentary could not be replayed. Lyn started her guide before we got to the first panel so went through the expedition 4-5 panels behind the audio guide.

After looking at the tapestry we went round one of the floors of displays before having a
A quick walk round the town. (Lots to see for a future visit), provisions were purchased for lunch and we left Bayeux just after 12:00.

The drive to Sousmoulins was uneventful. Kate provided excellent directions and we had a couple of stops for lunch and an afternoon cup of tea.

We arrived at Least Plants and were greeted
by Jason We just had time to unloaded and have a welcome beer by the pool before Ann excellent 2 course Neal was served.







A Brexton stop

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