Index | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | References
Day 3
As our route was blocked we decided to head north . Fortunately I had anticipated this eventuality and pre-programmed a couple of alternatives into the GPS. The day started overcast, as it had been since we entered France, and we took the D934/N134 to Pau and continued northwards on the latter. 10 miles before Aire-sur-l'Adour we hung a right at Sarron onto the D946 into a region with a definitely more rural flavour. Roads lined with Poplars that Napoleon ordered planted in order to keep his troops cool. From Riscle to Nogaro along the D25, now deep in Armagnac country with no space on the bike to bring back a couple of bottles (cars sometimes have the advantage - maybe next time I will bring a trailer!).
Day 3
Then back on the N134 - the GPS and the pre-planning was invaluable in directing us along the 'country roads' such as the D946 and D25. It would have been more enjoyable to have been able to traverse the whole of France on these minor roads, but we needed to cover some ground to get to our destination. Back to the main roads it was then. Main road it may have been but it was almost devoid of other traffic. It started to get very warm as there was not a cloud in the sky. A group of French bikers passed us and we were treated to the intriguing custom of the overtaking biker sticking their right leg out in greeting. One chap on a Hog continued for about a mile with his foot out - maybe it was cooler riding like that!
To Manciet and then onto the D931 to Agen which passes through a town called Condom - stop sniggering - and no we didn't stop by the sign to take a picture.
Agen was probably the most attractive large town we passed through. From Agen along the D656 to Tournon d'Agenais, a
13th century bastide town in the Lot valley. I was familiar with this region, having stayed a couple of summer holidays in a
gîte nearby. It would have been nice to have stayed to wander around the town but the temperature was soaring and Alan and I were beginning to feel like
a couple of boil-in-the-bag meals - besides Tournon had little to offer in the way of accommodation.
The moon phase clock in the centre has only one other counterpart and that is in Strasbourg.
Moon phase clock in Tournon d'Agenais
Hotel de Ville in Tournon (no longer an Hotel)
Back on the bikes again for a quick tour of the area including a review of the gîte and off to an hotel a couple of kilometres back down our route near St Beauzeil. Le Château de l'Hoste which offers some very attractive accommodation. Unfortunately by the time we arrived there were only two box rooms left - never mind, it was a bed and a shower. The first two litres of water and few beers slipped down without touching the sides. The food in this establishment was excellent and the surroundings extremely attractive. It also has a swimming pool. The bikes were parked in the main car park although le patron did offer to let us put them in the courtyard, but, since the hotel is well off the beaten track we did not feel security was an issue. In keeping with our objective of experiencing local food and wine we had a fine bottle of Cahors and some splendid 1964 Armangac.
Le Château de l'Hoste
Its courtyard
And swimming pool
Distance travelled 152 miles.
Index | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | References