Day three 3rd June 2013

Stage 3 Abbeville to Vernon

86 Miles

The day started well with a continental breakfast and copious cups of coffee. Matt and Peter had suffered with splitting headaches during the night. At first we thought it was dehydration, but both had been taking in enough fluids but we all had been careful to ‘drink plenty’ . We think it was caffeine withdrawal as the pair of them normally drink gallons of tea!

We set off and just around the corner of the hotel was a picturesque town square. A quick photo shoot and we were off again.

Our spirits were high and were boosted even higher by the amazing countryside and lovely smooth roads. Although dry it was a bit overcast and a little bit chilly at the start. At 19 miles we had a quick stop at Senarpont and watched the Swifts flying in and out of their nests that were attached to side of a house, delightful.

The next stop was at 28 miles at Aumale in a car park of what we thought was disused railway station. Steve had been shopping and bought delicious Jambon (ham) and Poullet (chicken) baguettes and had a life saving brew on for a caffeine fix (see above). We also tucked into Johanna’s chocolate cake she had made for the trip and to quote Foz ‘It was the best chocolate cake he has ever had’.

Whilst replenishing our used calories we were amazed to see a futuristic (to UK standards) train pull up at the non- disused shabby station.

Off we set again and the clouds started to thin out and the sun popped out. It was perfect, the roads were smooth and the wind was behind us and the infrequent passing motorists gave us plenty of space, such a refreshing change from home.

At about 43 miles we stopped had another short break at Saint Samson la Poterie a pretty little village centre with a memorial made a perfect backdrop for a picture

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We then pressed on looking forward to our next stop at 58 miles. Once again, perfect conditions and sunshine obviously gave us brain fade. Steve had duly set up at the predetermined lay-by and we duly cycle straight past him. We got about 2 miles up the road and a phone call from a bemused Steve pointed out what we had done. He ditched the freshly boiled water out of the kettle and hot-footed after us. 

We stop at Mainnville by a fast running river and we picnicked on the grass bank by the bubbling water in idyllic surrounds.

We then reluctantly set of for the final leg to Vernon. The road was busy but straight for 7 miles. The usual smooth surface and the wind behind us meant very little effort was required and we soon arrived at the outskirts of our destination. Then we had 3 free miles as it was downhill all the way to the massive traffic jam just before the bridge over Seine. We managed to weave away through and took in the brilliant view.

We pedalled on to the hotel and met up with Steve who had sorted the rooms out and was waiting for us. A quick Fozzing (to Foz: verb; to wash, clean, polish, oil and maintain a cycle) of the bikes and putting them into our cavernous bathrooms for storage. Matt reported hearing Foz say ‘It’s the best bath I’ve ever had, I can soak in the bath, looking at my bike’.

Another great days’ cycling we can’t wait for the next stage.

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