No damp tents this morning. Instead a nice dry room to wake up in and pack the bags. With more unsettled weather expected, we booked a budget hotel, with the idea of heading towards that but cancelling and staying in a campsite if the day turns out dry (no chance)
No serious re-packing, made for an earlier start, so we were away before 0830. First waypoint to head for was the town of Mayenne. We choose quiet D roads rather than tracks. Which meant quite a circuitous route.
Needless to say after a cold, drizzly start the heavens opened. Salvation of a sort appeared outside Mayenne – a McDonalds. Not my favourite place but needs must ! All very hi tech now !
After warming up and eating a no doubt unhealthy chicken burger meal, it was off again into the rain. We ditched the quiet roads and headed out onto the main road giving the most direct route to Flers. Luckily the traffic wasn’t that bad and the drivers in this part of France very considerate. Early afternoon saw us getting closer to the coast.
We were both glad of having a room booked. The thought of drying off in a nice warm room kept our spirits up. Hitting Domfront, Tim’s need to shop got the better of him (we were out of biscuits!) so we took shelter in the car park while Tim searched out the fig rolls. Of course at this point the rain stopped !
and started up again as we left ! Domfront itself was reached by a steep climb, the medieval city looked interesting but with the rain hammering down, we didn’t stop even for a photo.
It rained on and off finally stopping before we got to our budget hotel. Overall today was a tough day, probably the wettest and coldest of the trip and also as it turned out the one with the most climbing. I can see why this is called Suisse Normandie !
We are now only about 50 miles from Caen and the ferry port at Ouistreham. I guess the discussion over dinner will be how we finish the trip. We had planned on possibly riding together to Cherbourg, but with the unsettled weather, the more direct way home may be the choice for me.
Steady Pedals 