Wednesday July 6, 2022, 38 km (24 miles) – Total so far: 960 km (597 miles)

What a wonderful day it was today.

We woke up in Nevers after a great nights sleep. We’d put our tent tarp over the tent and luckily we did as it was covered in dew this morning.

There were two lots of German cyclists near us who are bike packing. That’s where you pack super light and rather than panniers they have their bits strapped onto the frame. Means they are better equipped to go off-road. But still, they had their tent and cooking gear but barely any luggage. They even had their chairs! I had serious light-packing envy if that’s even a thing.

We were the last to leave camp as per usual but it was only to be a short day so why rush. Camping grounds are becoming less frequent and we had the option on riding 36 kms or 84.

It was amazing cycling alongside the canals all day. We stopped a number of times to watch the canal boats travel through the locks. The lock keeper would run out unlock the lock by winding a thing to equalise the water. Then the suspense of watching a large boat fit through with only centimetres on each side to spare. I made sure to film it to add to his pressure.

The other funny thing that happened today was watching a swan attack a boat. It had its wings raised in attack mode and whacked its beak repeatedly against a boat as it travelled down the canal. I got a video of it so you’ll have to wait for that episode on YouTube.

The first campsite we arrived at was so beautiful, we decided to stop. We put on a big load of washing in the super-fancy machines here where you pay with Google pay and it even adds detergent for you, and only 3.50 for the experience. Most machines cost 4.00

We are camping right beside the River watching rowers row up and down, and a swan family begging for food

For dinner we had a ready made salad from lidl as it saves on cooking and washing up.

You can follow our journey on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAP03_iOV9QrtahRxRPBTVB9ZTNOmdiznv