Picnic Interruptus

Rain overnight but a dry and very humid start to the day. The calm before the storm perhaps. We breakfast overlooking the Loire and discover that our host, Tim, grew up in Cullompton! We feel relaxed as we have only a short day ahead of us. We arrive in Tours in time for a leisurely cup of coffee in the old town and visit the Wilson Bridge where we were almost a year ago with the girls. We remember then, wondering if it would ever be possible that we could cycle here: and here we are! Finally we find another perfect picnic place: a nice clean table with benches in a quiet shady spot, and at lunch time. We enjoy a much sought after brown baguette with compte cheese, tomatoes and sardines and are feeling very pleased with ourselves when the heavens open and we have to rush for shelter under trees before our cherries and melon (quel dommage!) It passes quickly but is followed by a gale force wind, from the west of course and the rest of our journey is quite a battle. We arrive in Villandry rather windswept but feel we are returning to old haunts when we walk around our favourite Loire gardens. We were worried that our hotel and meal would be rather touristy but infact we are surrounded by French (albeit quite elderly) and the menu has no English translation. Simon remembers too late that what I have ordered is Eel. The French will eat anything that moves, however slowly. Actually it wasn't too bad and another thing to add to the list of experiences. (Amboise to Villandry 31 miles)