Familiar and familial

 Café? Oui. Orange? Oui. Baguette? Oui. Confiture? Oui. Buerre? Oui. I was beginning to panic, as the slightly terrifying host demanded to know our exact breakfast requirements. I hoped he'd say Tripe? So that I could say Non, and stop looking like I was out for all I could get. But no. His list ended with an affirmative answer to everything he had suggested. And don't drink anything in bed! Now I know we were staying in a 15th century castle but the bed was not 15th century. It was like one of IKEA's finest. I'm afraid we broke the rules. Kate doesn't function unless the day has started with tea in bed. Even if it's Liptons.

We ate the carefully prescribed breakfast in a lovely room with huge windows which opened out onto the roofs of Laval. 

The morning was more of the same in terms of cycling up the Mayenne River. We were able to tank it. The surface was good and our legs were in good form. We even 'took out' a few electric bikes which was quite satisfying. 

Mayenne was a lovely coffee stop and after climbing several mean hills, we even found a Boulangerie which was open, so we're able to buy food for lunch later on. 

The result of a total of forty miles of track on the tandem was that it was caked in muck and dust. Important tip: remember to check the state of your water bottles before grabbing a drink on the go. 

The roads after Mayenne showed surprising spirit in terms of lumps. "It's very uppy and downy"  said Kate. "But more uppy" (technical stuff, don't worry about it)

And then, in a small village, we passed a shop which would have been my boyhood dream; a large forecourt had been filled with go carts. Old, new and of every description. When I was young, my favourite toy was my red car. I stood looking at them all wistfully, and took a photo. 

We stopped for lunch in what now feels very Brittany. Lush and very green and rural. I don't know why but it even smells different. 

The final half of the day was on tarmac as we headed towards my Auntie Susan (my Dad's sister) and Uncle Eric's where we are to spend the night. Arriving at their lovely house in a small village meant beer for me and a real cup of tea for Kate. It was a special occasion! 

I often wonder if there's any point in writing these blogs. What purpose do they serve? Now I know just how useful they are. My Auntie Susan had read my blogs and noted my observation that Golden Grahams are the best cereal on the planet. Consequently, tomorrow morning, I have Golden Grahams for breakfast! How cool is that? I didn't even know they were still being made.

We have now eaten a lovely meal, washed down with wine. Beer. Wine. It needn't stop there... We are staying in a little cottage in their garden. Down stairs, Eric has made a pub. If you don't believe me, look at the pictures... Upstairs, next to our bedroom,  is a cinema room. I have been ordered to drink whatever I feel like. Tomorrow's ride could be tricky. 

There's a distinctly frivolous flavour developing to this ride. We have one proper day left. We arrive at my parents house tomorrow. They have lived in France for the last  35 years. From there, it's a short hop to the ferry at St. Malo. 

This blog is written after two beers and some wine. I accept no responsibility for its content. 

A demain

One of the many mills on the river Mayenne.
 
Mucky tamdem.
My childhood dream
The bar downstairs  from our room!
Sitting in my Auntie Susan and Uncle Eric's garden
Golden Grahams. Yes!
The house.


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