Buggered old geezer does France...

[gerarddwatts]

As a matter of interest, I've been using MRA routes planned over the last few weeks.
I put them in to the Nav5 but have also been using the phone and MRA navigation.
Both have worked well....I particularly like the skip way point feature of MRA nav.
BUT.... the MRAnav app packed up completely this pm...just a blank screen. Despite turning the phone on and off etc etc. Seems to have sorted itself out now, but could have been an issue if I was reliant on it. I've prepared some crib sheets so my trusty navigator can use them and a map....remember them?....and we used them this arvo....not so handy on a bike.
Seems to be ok now but we'll see...

 

[gerarddwatts]

Todays journey....
Just skirted round the outskirts of Clermont Ferrand.....that was enough!

 

[gerarddwatts]

Just for a change.....

 

[gerarddwatts]

Clearly opportunities for roofers here...

 

[Redboots]

View attachment 272159

Just for a change.....

In 22 years living in France, I have never had a good pizza. Tart Flambee, now that's a different ball game

 

[gerarddwatts]

Most of the restaurants in Murol were shut...on a Saturday night....due to Fete Thibault?
Pizza was the only option....it wasnt bad, cooked in a proper wood fired pizza oven behind the bar.
But I'll try to do better...
Heading down to Le Puy en Velay after brek.

 

[Wapping]

The biggest French public holiday in July, is Bastille Day on Friday 14th.

You should have tried this place:





PS Enjoy the lentils in Le Puy…

 

[Northern jock]

Looking good but I suspect you'd rather be crawling into a tent every night and enjoying wearing bike gear in the sun

 

[gerarddwatts]

The biggest French public holiday in July, is Bastille Day on Friday 14th.

You should have tried this place:

View attachment 272193



PS Enjoy the lentils in Le Puy…

Thanks...it was shut also...
My shite planning....T de F AND Bastille Day in the same holiday....up the Loire on 14th.
Not missing bike gear one bit Al.... 35 degs as we have our pique-nique...

 

[gerarddwatts]

The biggest French public holiday in July, is Bastille Day on Friday 14th.

You should have tried this place:

View attachment 272193



PS Enjoy the lentils in Le Puy…

And shut again tonight...so L'Atelier it is...

 

[gerarddwatts]

Interesting wildlife hereabouts....probably here for the lentilles

 

[gerarddwatts]

A run through the sunny Auvergne...down through Issoire,, where it would seem they are expecting a rake of peddlybikeists to stream through on Tuesday, to Brioude. A gorgeous historic town with a smart bridge over the Allier..

 

[gerarddwatts]

Saw no saumons but did see a flotilla of what looked like hefty carps...I would guess in the 15-20lbs bracket.
Lovely old buildings by the bridge..

 

[gerarddwatts]

And on down to Puy en Velay. A busy town, home to 2 stunning attractions...

 

[gerarddwatts]

A delicious plate of charcurie to start...

 

[gerarddwatts]

Followed by scallops.
A bit far from the sea perhaps..try telling that to the saumons who have travelled the length the Loure and into the Allier.
As a matter of interest, we were in a small town supermarket yesterday getting the pique nique, and saw a display of shellfish, including scallops, to die for. Extraordinary.

 

[gerarddwatts]

A heartfelt notice at the layby by the Allier bridge...made me chuckle...from a french man..the irony

 

[gerarddwatts]

Back to Murol, and past to Lac Chambon. Absolutely rammed. Hunnerts of folk so kept going to the Col de la croix Morand. Again a terrific spot, nice warm breeze at 29 to take the bite out of the sun and keep the flies off. Just a wee col but higher than anything in the UK!

 

[gerarddwatts]

View of the Chateau Murol from my dinner table..

 

[leadfarmer]

And on down to Puy en Velay. A busy town, home to 2 stunning attractions...View attachment 272312View attachment 272313

Yep, it’s a nice place to live