Well some days are simply tougher than other days on the bike.
We woke to a cool, crisp Bordeauxian morning. The sort that starts to move the grape leaves from a deep luscious green to fiery red. After a good French breakfast we set off back down the Estuaire de la Gironde (Gironde estuary) with a gentle tailwind. (tailwinds are always gentle and headwinds - furious)
We passed magnificent Châteaux, one after the other. Our timing here was great as it is the vintage and the harvest has started. We saw workers, like ants, move through the vines. We also saw them on the side of the road, bused in, with smiles on their faces waiting for the word to start picking.
We were crossing the estuary today so headed to Lamarque to catch the ferry to Blaye. The ferry was about 50 mins late so we just waited and rested and listened to the reggae music coming from the cafe. The ferry that arrived was packed with a coach and quite a few camper vans. Once it was unloaded the cars, a motor bike and ourselves were quickly loaded and off. €3:60 each and €1.60 for the bike.
No sailing this afternoon!
Our research had said that there was very little accommodation in Bourg so we booked a B&B from the Office de Tourisme at Blaye. It turned out to be a quaint, rustic or whatever adjective conveys a basic place to sleep. The lady was very friendly and the shower was good.
Much of the second half of today was along side the estuary. Occasionally we wandered into the vineyards. We saw where the mighty Dordogne River converges with the Gironde River. A good way to round out last weeks riding.
Off to explore Bourg.
Bourg is a great little sleepy village on the edge of the Dordogne River. It used to be on the Gironde, hence it's full name Bourg-sur-Gironde, however over time the rivers have moved!
For our afternoon Rosé we went to a little bar down near the harbour. €2.80 for two Rosés. Now that was cheap. The friendly lady in the hotel suggested where to eat dinner, actually she was telling us the only place to eat dinner. Fortunately it was great.
Some enquiries have suggested we may have some difficulty with accommodation at St Emilion. We really want to visit there so we've booked in for Friday night. This will through our plans out the window, so we'll have to male it up again from here.
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