Terrible sleep last night- itching all the time, I’m sure there were bedbugs or fleas in the bed (we slept on our sleeping bags). I hope we don’t catch something nasty.

We were out of the hotel as soon as possible and on the road at 7.30am (no breakfast provided).

A nice cool misty morning and easy road along the river. However the EuroVelo6 was not as easy to follow today and we left it on several occasions (we later met some British cyclists who had also lost it, so I think it was not just us). Mostly the landscape is very flat here, all farmland interspersed with small villages.

We found some pastries for breakfast – yum.

More mechanical dramas today. Kris’s rear tire was losing air slowly so we decided to change the inner tube. We had three brought from NZ. One we donated a few days ago to a down and out cyclist on the road with an ancient bike and a flat tire (we have come across quite a few of these – they  are like tramps – one of us gave us direction today). So we replaced the tube and had trouble with it bulging when we inflated the tire. Half an hour later or so the tire was flat again. So we replaced it with our last tube. By this time around 10km from the city of Chalon sur Saone. Anyway, this one lasted to the city outskirts before the whole thing fell apart and Kris was pushing his bike. By this time the sun had come out and it was really hot. We walked into the center and found a bike shop – luckily they were very helpful. We were so relieved he could fix the bike right away and have it ready by 3pm. So we had an hour to walk around the city, go to tourist info, buy groceries etc. They also straightened the wheel and replaced the tire which was getting worn.

Then we cycled about 10km to the beautiful little town of Givry and our wonderful accommodation there. I really am quite taken with this town, it is really pretty, and at the start of the next bike route, which evidently goes through vineyards.

All up we did around 70km today.

Highpoints:

• Picnic in rose garden at Givry- Kris likes drinking the red French wine out of the bottle. We have no glasses with us.
• Our accommodation is amazing and our best yet. It lifted our spirits after a difficult day. It is in a converted barn attached to the back of a house near the centre of town. Very private through our own entrance off barn/ garage where we store our bikes. There is a kitchen at the bottom with a stone floor and wall (looks ancient). Upstairs is a sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. Elegantly decorated. The only hazard are low beams which are an original feature of the building (Raewyn needs to move in here, the rest of us have to duck). Outside the window we can see the town and church steeple. Behind our place is a large garden enclosed with old stone walls. In the centre a large cherry tree with delicious cherries – we can eat as many as we wish. The hosts are friendly, also go on cycling holidays and speak English.
• Walking around the town at around 9pm, temperature still 19 degrees and the light fading into sunset.