It’s 9pm and it’s finally cooled down enough to write a blog, although it’s still about 28 degrees.

We got away from camp about 9am this morning, an early one for us. I’d checked my phone and it said it was a flat ride today and about 30 kms. I was feeling good about that, not wanting to ride in the heat of the day.

The signs guided us out of town and suddenly where cycling up a hill. But Google told me it would be flat. There was another cycle tourist so we knew we were going the right way.

Then there were more signs sending us up more hills. What the heck? After a while we got suspicious. The signs were sending us this way but where were all the other cycle tourers? Since we got on the Loire valley it’s been very popular with cyclists.

After some more ups and downs we made it back to the river. We had to stop to give way to all the cycle tourers taking the flat river route, smiles on their faces, not a care in the world.

Those damn signs are in cahoots with our gadgets me thinks. We were slightly annoyed we didn’t get to follow the flat route. Knee was probably more annoyed than anyone.

It was lovely cycling until we got the the town of Saumur. We stopped and had a drink at a cafe, just a brief respite from the heat. There were no sign posts telling us where to go so we just made up our own route. Saumur was a neat little town full of bars cafes and restaurants, all surrounded by old buildings and caves set into the hill.

After a look around the town, we found the signs again but they were sending us up a very steep hill to the chateau. We thought it looked better from the flat and followed our own route along the river.

Then the signs sent us back up a hill and this time we followed because the route was taking us through caves. The temperature dropped 15 degrees and it was so nice and cool.

The caves dated back to the 12 century where they were used as accommodation for chateau workers. They were then expanded in the 16th century. It was so cool wandering past peoples homes in the rocks, and I didn’t want to leave. We found a little spot with a table and chairs, toilet and even an electric charging point for bikes, and had our lunch.

Reluctantly we left the coolness of the caves and headed on, following signs. We were sent through wineries, grapes for as far as the eye could see. It just kept going and going, the temperature creeping up to 35 degrees and no shade in sight. It was brutal.

Eventually we made it back to the nice shaded paths beside the river. We stopped at a camping ground, but it was very busy and full of motor homes. And it was 23 euros to camp! So we headed 15 minutes further up the road and found a lovely campground right beside the river for only 14 euros.

We picked a nice shady spot next to a charging point and settled in. Not long after, the sun moved and we were transported to a nice sunny spot. It seemed that no matter where I moved to, the sun would follow me. So it was pretty hot there for a while, but after a cold shower we felt much better.

There is no shop here so we had to get creative with dinner. We made a satay sauce with dried peanut butter (thanks Ems) mixed it with some curry powder, water, and garlic oil. Fried it up and served it with some boiled rice. It was actually quite nice.

Almost cool enough to go to bed now.