Serge Tallet Sends Us Up the D5

Today was mostly a cool breeze heading to La Dordogne River. Serge is a retired farmer and his wife Bernadette runs the BnB, Gite de Peyriere. He led us half way to Bergerac. Maps.me did the rest and we followed.

I Didn't Unclip!

Falling in France along the Canal du Midi after taking a picture of a sailboat moored to the bank was a first. Falling like this hadn't happened in sometime, forgetting to unclip making an extremely tight and slow u-turn. Patience and acceptance. Trust and courage. Serenity and wisdom. Just scuffs but I think I need to be aware and also enjoy the trip as we adventure farther onto France.

From Arcachon to Peyriere, castles in mind, dinner, repas, at Serge's and Bernadette's farm, Gite. I ate way too much...beautiful sunset.

Onward and Upward: To Les Chalets du Gelat

All of us survived another day. Robin and I ate heartily at the hotel breakfast while Larry and Michael tried coffee and pastry from the store. I led the bunch following cues from my phone's maps program until I was at the D660, D5 intersection, looked behind and no one was there. I backtracked after hooking up the little solar charger and found them waiting for me at the start of a wonderful cycle path. It was built on an old train track line. The path ended near a castle that we entered before going shopping for dinner and heading to our lodging at Chalet du Gelat. This was a set of chalets or houses in the forest. I went swimming in their pool. Brrr but it got ok and so I swam and floated looking up at the blue sky framed by oak treetops.

Down the Road Less Travelled

We, Robin, Michael, Larry and moi, headed down the road including the less travelled gravel path through pine forests that the computer enticed.us to enter. Like the sirens the asphalt surface turned to sharp rocks well beyond the alluring road set before us. Cap Ferret was nice, we skirted between bay and sea and road the ferry to Arcachon. Mais oui! After exploring the block around our eventual hotel for 2 hours, we showered and rode to dine, c'est ca.

Message from Kevin

Hi Kevin, I'm traveling over to Bordeaux this weekend with 3 other cyclists. Going to head to the Med along canal route. I just wanted to say I am impressed with your blog. Especially to make it a point to ask at least once a day for help.

It's excellent of you to remember me as I do you. According the Atisha, "sending and taking should be practiced alternately These two should ride the breath." Giving takes nerve and humanizes also, may I say. But when you consider that so many failures are required for a success it only makes sense to link up with as many of other peoples' failures and give them the opportunity to give to you which is a noble gift especially when it is truly received.
Bless your way
Kevin

Good morning France

We are getting better at some things. We sleep and we eat. But changing rooms may be another thing. Walking tour?

Our premiere journee a Bordeaux cite

Shopping with Robin could constitute a chapter in Victor Hugo's book. I wish I had taken pictures but I was able to put a 40€ chip in my phone, so now I'm able to call home. Here's Robin and my unpacked bikes ready to go. Manana I mean demain is another day, duh!

Dinner in Bordeaux

I took a couple pictures but cannot figure out how to add more than one. So here's food for u. I'll have to put my bike together,  and I'll take a pic when I succeed.

Michael tells all

Shit I can't think of a thing. You could write it in French. Merde, je ne pense pas du rien.
That is what you want to tell the world?
No not really.
Then what do you want say?
I don't want to say anything. I'd like an IPA.  I would like an IPA.

Driving to LA

What can I say? Robin's driving, Michael's in the front seat, and traffic's not so great. We left San Luis Obispo at 1300 and got to the Welcome Inn around 1800 which is typical time for the drive. I'll find out who snores loudest probably.

Manhattan Beach

Dinner at Lemonade, the pier, back to the Welcome Inn.

Packed my bags, Lemond TSZ

XXXXXXXXXX

I'M JUST LEARNING

Okay, it's almost time to leave but I've got to start this blog! Tomorrow I'll try to pack my bike after taking a couple pictures. But first I show you the ticket; we are travelling to Bordeaux, France this Sunday, 23 Sept from LAX. Good grief I haven't packed.