Today might be our last riding day for a while with rain in the forecast both in Normandy and Brittany. We decided to start from the house and do a loop that would take us to two or three castles in riding distance.
Starting from the house is so much easier.
On the bikes around 9 AM allows plenty of time for stops along the way.
An easy down hill cruise to our first town.
C roads are narrow, windy, and quiet.
Good place to start.
The gradual up hill got us warmed up on this chilly morning.
We are heading toward Giverville,
And away from Brionne.
This clockwise loop takes us to the northwest.
This is along the "Remembrance Way" in
recognition of Canada's contribution in liberating this area.
A "Librairie" is a bookstore and
"bibliothèque" is a library.
A marker commemorating a French soldier who was killed at this location by a German bullet in June, 1944.
Midway through the route - must be time for a coffee stop.
And "Abracadabra" a Patissere miraculously appears.
Wow, what a great setting for a cafe.
This "snack bar" was in a park but was unfortunately closed.
Had to settle for a Tabac (but no tobacco) back in town.
No outdoor seating but the refreshments were excellent, and the bathroom new and modern.
Our first destination.
An official "Beaux Villages de France"
Which earned its designation.
Bec Abbey was founded in 1034 by Herluin, who was a knight at the court of Brionne and a Benedictine. Near to the abbey, in the village, the church, dedicated to Saint-André, was built in 1039. The original church burned down in 1264. It was rebuilt but damaged during the Hundred Years' War (1417). The nave and the bell tower were reconstructed in the 18th century.
Okay, so when did they start calling it the Hundred Year's War. Did someone with exceptional foresight say this is the first year of a war that will go on for 100 years. It actually went on for 116 years.
An impressive building for our time, and more impressive that it was built in their time.
Towers are a European favorite. Definitely seen from a long way away.
Tree lined walkway.
Off to see the second Chateau in Harcourt
Passing under the main motorway.
The viaduct goes from one hilltop to the next about 200 feet above us.
We have to ride from down here to up there, but the climb is kind and gentle.
Kim just figured out that we have to climb to get home.
The town with the castle.
Normally there is a five euro admission fee, but since today is "International Day of Peace" it was free. Our good luck.
Old and broken stuff.
This castle is in the process of being excavated and restored.
Old but not so broken.
Kim storming the castle.
Where is Fezzik when you need him?
The castle is also noted for its arboretum which has an extensive variety of trees - deciduous and conifers - including several sequoias from California.
After leaving the castle we decided that our long day was long enough and would go straight back to the house.
The French countryside is covered with a tangled web of roads going in every direction. Unfortunately, none was going from where we were to where we want to go.
After checking my biking GPS computer, Google Maps, our hand held GPS, and paper map we think we found a way back home. WRONG!!!
Seemed like every direction was the wrong direction (we also have a compass) but there is no way to get from here to there.
Finally, I let the bike computer take us back to our starting location on a circuitous roundabout course that ultimately retraced our outbound route and got us there.
So happy to be home again after 6+ hours on the road.
Our host left some of Maddie's Homemade Peach preserve. Kim gave it a big thumbs up.
The peaches came from the tree in the front yard.
The property also has a garden with tomatoes and cucumbers for our enjoyment. Nothing tastes better than a home grown tomato.
Our cottage - small, cozy, but just right for two.
And some noisy neighbors which supply us with fresh eggs.
Why does a Frenchman eat just one egg?
Because one egg is an Oeuf.
A chicken is just an egg's way of making another egg, so which came first?
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