Week three – in the groove

IMG_0282Our third week and we are in the groove – the usual shopping, cooking, walking and cycling taking up most of our time. Leclerc sells everything including replacement brake pads for Derek’s bike, key rings and a Thermos amongst other stuff on our list.  We also managed to track down booklets at Fontenay Tourist Office showing detailed maps of the cycle and walking routes in the Mervent Forest so we are now setting off with rather more confidence that we won’t get lost.

IMG_0278Derek’s legs suffered on Monday as he did a 30 mile bike ride in the morning and then, as it was such a lovely afternoon, we set off for a 10k walk through Pouilly and L’Hermenault.  He’d recovered by Wednesday so we did cycle route 3 through the Mervent Forest.  It’s a lovely area about 20 minutes drive from here with a lake surrounded by a forest of mostly oak trees.  We went back today to do walking route 2 which was really scenic and very peaceful – I think we saw two cyclists and one fisherman all morning.  The weather this week is much cooler and crisper with lovely blue skies and even ground frost one morning – gloves and snoods were required although we haven’t been cold, even when sitting at picnic benches halfway round with our coffee and brioches (holiday motto: never go anywhere without a drink and a snack in the backpack).