12 June 2025 (sunny and very hot) 51km

There are rude people everywhere.

Those who have no consideration for others and who think the world revolves around them. Some of these people stay at camp grounds. They begin drinking early in the evening and are having a great time. Not affecting others, who go about their own way of enjoying their camping experience. 

But, like most rude, obnoxious, self centred people, they don't know when to stop. Actually, that's not correct. They do know, but choose not to, because they don't want to.

In normal circumstances that would be fine. In your own home, as long as you're not affecting your neighbour's, go for it. In a campground, filled with others who are trying to sleep at 2am in the morning, it is disrespectful. 

After hours of drinking, from late afternoon, at 2am, there was a very heated argument between two groups. Fortunately, for a change, I had slept very well (riding can help with that, plus the fact I wasn't in their extreme noise zone).

I thought at one stage this confrontation was going to come to blows and was quite interested to see the "revellers get their beans", but they finally backed down, after others got involved. 

So, I woke this morning after a good sleep, glad to know it's not only I who get pissed off with these kinds of people. 

We had some light drizzle and wind early morning, but had basically slept with the tent open all night as it was so warm. 

At 7.45am we were on the road to Chateaux Chambord. We were last here in 2018. Then, it was undergoing renovations and there was scaffolding everywhere.

Rode in this morning and straight into the grounds. And it certainly didn't disappoint. There it stood in all its majesty. A stunning chateau and Ju’s favourite. We hadn't been planning on going to see it again but when we realized we'd be passing within 10kms of it, we couldn't resist. Got shots from different positions, before riding off toward Dhuizon.

The temperature before 9am today was very nice, in comparison to yesterday. Even felt a couple of spits of rain. The road surface was incredible and we were ticking along at a good lick. 

Arrived in Dhuizon and looking for shade. Found a small shop and bought some breakfast. Whipped around the corner and sat in a large covered area by the front door of the church, totally shaded. I hopped over the lane to a boulangerie to buy bread, then we sat in a comfortable temperature and chowed down. 

This was a lovely little village. 

On the road again. Cycled nice roads all morning and after 51km and a stop at a supermarket to pick up supplies, we found a lovely camp. Situated in Neung sur Beauvron. It was only 1pm, but so hot.

We've decided to try to rattle off the distance required mostly in the morning, as this heat is a killer.

The camp reception was closed until 3pm, but in that time, Julia had a shower and washed some clothes.

I wrote up today's blog and washed some clothes. We'll pitch when reception opens, hopefully where we want, as it doesn't look as though it'll be busy. Update later. 

It's 3.30pm and the guy who is on reception, is not on til 4pm. We just spent the time sitting or lying down relaxing. It's currently thirty one degrees, just glad we aren't riding in it. By the location of this camp we could well be the only ones here. 

Ju here: I was glad I had thought to bring hay fever pills as I think it was day 3 I started getting itchy eyes and sneezing. So I popped a pill and popped one every day since and have had no more problems.

My knees have been behaving themselves and appreciating the modest mileage, as has the rest of my body.

A new piece of equipment has already earned a place in our hearts. That's our $5 washing line from the Warehouse. It's an ingenious elasticated invention that doesn't require pegs and is nice and lightweight and has been used every day. Consequently we have been able to keep up with our washing very well.

Most showers in campgrounds are set to a predetermined temperature and this one is no exception. Extremely frustrating when you just need a cold shower. Seeing as we have the campground to ourselves, I got my togs on and filled bottle after bottle from the outside cold water tap and tipped it over me. Then I sat in my wet togs to keep me cool. Worked a treat.

Pete here again. It is 5.40pm and 32 degrees. We are scared to move in case we break out in a sweat. We now have an older couple in the camp with us, but for a good campground with great facilities, people must be waiting for July. It is off the beaten track, but great for us. 

Tomorrow the temperature will be 33 and we've found a camp with a pool. More expensive but "needs must". Cycling in this heat is dangerous and after tomorrow, its' dropping below 30 for three days, but will jump up over 30 again for the five days after that.

At 7.20pm we were in the kitchen/dining room, where we've had our phones on to charge.

This is one of the biggest hassles being on the road, trying to keep phones and power banks charged.

Last night we were able to leave phones charging, but no power banks.If you were in a tent last night in the camp in Blois and wanted power, you were charged $40.

Ate ratatouille and rice tonight, which was nice, but probably too hot. Sleeping will just be lying on our liners tonight and hopefully up early while temperature is coolest.