Yesterday I crossed from the Orne department in the south of Normandy into the south-west tip of Calvados and today I head north-west into the Manche department. As you can see I have been in the hillier bit of Normandy, the Collines de Normandie.
The church in Moyon has an exhibition describing the liberation of this village. There are 10 boards fixed to the outside as a reminder of the impact on France during WW2 and I expect they were put up as part of the 80 year anniversary.
This is another of the village (communal) ovens and it is common that they are attached to a small building which I assume was a bakery.
For lunch today I actually looked ahead and with some small adjustment and a bit of planning on my timings arrived at a restaurant at noon for Le Menu. The establishment is very much targeted at the workers but does attract some few locals. It was typical of the area and for €16 I was treated to:
- Buffet starter (cured mackerel with various salads)
- Bavette (steak) with a huge pile of green beans
- 1 litre cider (I didn't drink it all!)
- Crème caramel
- Coffee
More scenic cycling with plenty to see. There are many small orchards and they are usually hard to photograph but this was in a hedgerow.
For lunch today I actually looked ahead and with some small adjustment and a bit of planning on my timings arrived at a restaurant at noon for Le Menu. The establishment is very much targeted at the workers but does attract some few locals. It was typical of the area and for €16 I was treated to:
- Buffet starter (cured mackerel with various salads)
- Bavette (steak) with a huge pile of green beans
- 1 litre cider (I didn't drink it all!)
- Crème caramel
- Coffee
More scenic cycling with plenty to see. There are many small orchards and they are usually hard to photograph but this was in a hedgerow.
Arriving in Coutances really did feel like an arrival. You get a few good views of the cathedral on your approach, a leg burning climb and then the final entrance to the square in front of the cathedral. With rain due tomorrow I saw they were clearing away the summer display of plants. I fall into a café on the square before making my way to the hotel which is on the edge of town.
While sat in the café I try and make a rational decision about the front tyre which has lost pressure during the day.
Option 1 Just pump it up each day and don't risk making things worse. I know there is rain coming but if it ain't really really broke why fix it?
Option 2 As it is dry at present and I have time just investigate and try and resolve it. Worst case is using one of Coutances' bike shops.
Yes, I do the repair. I find a thorn, use my nail clippers to get it out and repair the punctured inner-tube which I then refit so I still have a fresh spare inner-tube.
Yes, I brought nail clippers. You know it's a long bike ride when nail clippers are an essential item.
