The end is in sight

We are the first to breakfast at 7.45 but we have a longer day ahead of us and we are keen to get a few miles under our belts before we tire. My legs feel fresher today, maybe it is because the end is in sight and we plan to reach our final destination of Nantes tomorrow. The route is really beautiful now and we spend most of the day very near the banks of the river. We seem to be leaving real Chateaux country and pass through several delightful towns perched on the river banks with beautiful houses and gardens full of flowers. We have coffee in the tranquil town of le Theureil. The Loire seems more wild and less inhabited further west and the erosion has left many sandbanks, now the home to flocks of birds. Another perfect picnic spot in the sun, but the Roquefort was a bit too strong for our liking today. Although we miss Germany for the bread, breakfasts and beer, France certainly comes up trumps for food in general. We have had some superb set menus for about £16, and our picnics are a far cry from the bread and tasteless cheese of Romania. The patisseries are way too tempting and even Simon has become partial to a coffee eclair or tarte tatin. We are now in the little known gem of Montjean sur Loire in a lovely Auberge with a room overlooking the river. We fear that coming home may be harder than we thought. (Saumur to Montjean-sur-Loire - 54 miles) And the sun is nearly setting on our adventure....