25 June 2025 (sunny and extremely hot) 27km

This morning we woke slightly later as we are only going twenty odd kms up the road. The heatwave here is terrible. It is literally sapping the energy out of doing normal, everyday activities, let alone cycling.

Yesterday, we swam in the lake. It was the nicest we've been in whilst in France, but that was a very low bar, so don't get excited.

The water would have to have been close to thirty degrees, the water was still murky, but not as murky as previous lakes/ponds we've swum in. This was really only a large pond with reeds growing in the far end and dragonflies zipping across the surface. They’d trucked in some white sand, put in a bar and called it a beach. Can't imagine what it will be like by the end of summer, especially if this weather continues. It was pretty busy and the school holidays haven't even started yet so I can imagine if these hot conditions continue, that pond is going to be extremely warm and I shudder to think what the urine to water ratio will be.

We spent the afternoon at camp from 2.30pm. Most days we try and schedule our rides to be finished by then, because it's just so hot. We've seen the temperatures rising over the years in Europe. We have friends telling us about places they've been and how uncomfortable it was.

We knew we were in for hot weather, but when it stops you dead in your tracks and even sitting down is such an effort it makes you want to lay down and do nothing because you're caked in sweat. That's not our idea of a good time. 

As I write this passage, we're already starting to look at other options as far as countries go.  For us it's all about being on the bike and enjoying the journey. 

This morning at St. Sauvieur, we stopped at the Intermarche for breakfast supplies. When we came to pay with a Euro 50 the teller was pissed off.

Jesus pal.

We got the money out of a dispenser which didn't give us options for lower denominations, so don't Haw Hee Haw to me about it. It's not like you're the corner shop with no change in the till.

Found shade to eat and logged into the Intermarche WiFi and spent time catching up with all sorts of things.

Brody and Aimee called and the connection on Julia's phone was great and yet mine wouldn't keep me connected for the stuff I had to do.

Bizarre!! 

It is now 11.30am. We haven't moved from our shaded spot close to the Intermarche and have one blog and photos posted from two days ago.

We knew it was time to move when the local wildlife started moving in.

We wanted to get yesterday's blog finished before we move but it's already getting too warm in the shade. So a move to McDonald's is in the pipeline.

Hey....now I can hear you all saying

"Pete you tight arse git. "Dip into your pocket and pay for some data"

Well, I'll whisper this so she doesn't give me a hiding

"It's Julia's idea to continue this way, so get off my back all you Julia lovers."

She's popped inside to get a drink and some fruit. Much needed.

Already 30 degrees....phew !! 

It's 1pm. Have moved on to a McDonald's, along with half of France. The place is chocka and consequently not that cool, but still cooler than outside.

Large fries and coke.

NZ $15!! Are you freaking kidding me? No wonder we don't come to these places. Air con is the only reason we're here.

Have brought my baguette in and having a chip buttie.....yes sir !!

Pretty sure the burger police have cottoned on to me smuggling in outside food.

A lot of talking on their in-house communication system and dirty looks.

Although, that's probably because I'm wearing a massive Union Jack on my t-shirt.

I'm about to go up to the counter and order the "Full English". 

(Ju here: I told him it would attract far less attention if he smuggled his baguette in his bag, rather than stuffing it in his shorts.)

Pete here: And I said, I'd never get two things of that size in my shorts anyway.

Thankfully the place started emptying out after 1pm and it became noticeably cooler, (i.e. we stopped sweating).

About 2pm we decided we needed to make a move towards camp as it wasn't going to get any cooler out there. 

So we unlocked the bikes and headed back to the Intermarche, via the bank to pick up more Euros. I'd run out of 50's and my plan was to go to the same checkout guy and give him another 50 to pay for our wares. Unfortunately he wasn't working. 

Picked up what we would need for lunch and dinner and then cycled out to the camp.

The Alps are looming to the east.

We had planned a deliberately short day today so we could avoid the heat as much as possible. We had no idea what the campground was like but hoped it had plenty of shade.

It was just awful outside with wave after wave of heat rolling over us as we cycled through the thick air. Thankfully cycling creates a bit of airflow. Walking would be unbearable.

We rolled up to camp just shy of 4pm and had the lovely owner escort us round and show us the coolest place to set up, right in front of a bamboo thicket. 

She told us that due to the high chance of thunderstorms and lightning, the trains in the region have been cancelled from 4pm. 

When it's just too hot to pose for a photo!

So after paying her, we claimed our space by spreading the groundsheet out and chucking all our gear on it.

A shower and washing followed and then we went to check out the lounge area. It is in an old stone building and wonderfully cool, better than McDonald's. 

We had a late lunch at 5pm and toyed with the idea of walking to the gorge to have a look. But it was so hot outside that we really couldn't bear to go out in it again.

At 5.40pm, two motor homes showed up, but still to find out nationalities.

Tomorrow we make for Grenoble, but once again we will be restricted with mileage in this weather.

At the camp, it was 34 degrees in the shade. The camp owner told us it was 38 in the sun.

To cool us down we dunked our heads under the cold tap in the laundry., before cooking rice, sardines, tomato and avocado for dinner, followed by an apple each.

Played cards and Julia kicked my butt, no changes there.

By 10pm we were tucked up for the night, when a Canadian family, who had been quiet as lambs since they arrived at 8.30pm, decided that now was the time to start talking and laughing and then yelling out to each other from one side of the field to the other. Then they decided it would be a good idea to start playing a chasing game around our tent.

I stuck my head out and told them it wasn't a good idea. To their credit, they did say sorry and they shuffled back inside their camper, where it was probably still 40 degrees.

Lights out, new day tomorrow.