Kris and I both feel remarkably well today after doing 103km to Doyet (small town near Montlucon).

Our route took in Alleyrat, St-Medard-La-Rochette, Issoudun-Letreix, Peyrat-La-Noniere, Chambon-Sur-Voueize, Budeliere, Montlucon, Doyet. We deviated from our planned route as we left town on the wrong side – so Alleyrat to Peyrat was unplanned.

We had excellent cycling conditions again today – overcast and warm with no rain or wind. We were on small country roads that twisted and turned and went up and down and sometimes straight. We saw a lot of silage being made again and cows lying in the fields (they seem to lie down more here then in NZ).

We were sidetracked at Peyrat-La-Noniere into hunting down a nougat factory that was advertised in town. This took us about a kilometer out of our way, to a small factory in what looked like one of the stone houses dotting the area. Here we bought some if the best nougat either of us have ever had. We think it is so good because they make it with honey as well as sugar. See www.nougatdulimousin.fr.

We stopped briefly at Chambon-Sur-Voueize to look at the Cathedral. The bells there were ringing for midday when we arrived.

Montlucon is a large center and it took some time getting into the city center. There is a medieval city there and a tourist office which helped us book our accommodation. We stopped to eat quiche, a filled roll, pizza bread, coffee and apple pastries at a popular city bakery. We also bought some more food and wine for our evening meal.

The ride from Montlucon to Doyet is around 15km, including a 3km hill out of town. We had to backtrack a few kilometers as we rode past the accommodation on our way to Doyet.

The accommodation is lovely after staying in hotels the last few days. It is in a farm setting and very spacious – we have a kitchen and living area opening onto a porch as well as bedroom and bathroom. The view from the porch is of the fields. The hosts house is in a converted church and there is a small castle, with a moat, next door, which people are living in.