La Velodyssee – Day 13

The cool northerly wind made it a very cold night. The temperature fell to 2 Celsius! I was OK in the tent but didn’t get out of the sleeping bag in a hurry this morning!

Once I did get up there was no sitting around as it was much to cold! I actually packed up and got on my way within 45 minutes of emerging from my slumber!

The road to Rochefort was along the banks of the Charente River and whilst it was flat and the surface was good it didn’t show the towns best side.

The big bridge west of Rochefort

The Velodyssee doesn’t cross the Charente until much further upstream so I passed 2 very large bridges before we did actually cross on an old railway bridge well after Rochefort.

Our bridge over the Charente

This meant that the route headed east (inland) for quite a long way before crossing and heading back towards the coast.

Once again crossing marshes to get to the coast. A real pleasure heading west with an easterly wind at my back (after battling it most of the morning)!

They look like Highland Cattle!

The calves grazing in the marsh looked like Highland Cattle but I guess they are not (as they are in the lowlands)!

Don’t ride on the red gravel road…
…you will sink!

Once across the marsh the Côte Sauvage was absolutely stunning. I can’t really do it justice with words or pictures but it gave me goosebumps then and it’s giving me goosebumps thinking about it now. Truly a breathtaking part of the coast.

From the bridge near La Tremblade
Dunes in the distance

After a slightly irritating 99.7 kilometres(!) I pulled into my campsite. The sun was shining and it was warm enough for a t-shirt and shorts. I was charged just €8 for a lovely (and very large) pitch in the sunshine.

Let’s hope for a warmer night tonight! A bientot!

2 thoughts on “La Velodyssee – Day 13

  1. Looks like you’re settled Into a good routine, hope it’s not all hard work, I see there’s plenty of sheep photos…… just saying!

    Watching your progress with a touch of admiration, good work fella – looking forward to the full stories of your travels (maybe over a glass of red wine)

    Bon courage!!

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