Morlaix to Roscoff 39kms

Beautiful morning as we set off on what was to be our last day of the trip. No more green routes, back on real roads with big lorries! We didn't leave until we had had the most wonderful breakfast with homemade goodies in a glorious setting. The sun was shining as we cycled down beside the bank of the River de Morlaix towards Carantec. The view in the photograph will be familiar to David, Murray, Jan and Pete, all who have sailed on Maverick in this area. On arrival at Carantec which Aileen will remember from sailing escapades, we tried to arrange b & b for that night but unfortunately the proprietor would not be in until after 5 pm. After having coffee the weather was now changing and becoming colder so we decided not to wait but continue cycling into Roscoff. Billy had done all his shopping so he thought it would be a good idea to change our ferry ticket and return to Plymouth today. Needless to say any shopping Shirley had planned in Roscoff went by the board as all the shops were shut when we reached there. Ticket changed, we enjoyed our last glass of French wine in a little bar on the front at Roscoff where we had our last photo taken.
Six hours later we cycled into Plymouth to stay a couple of days with David and Sengul.
Great trip, wonderful experiences and lots of laughs and NO ONE fell off the bikes. Where will we go next time????

Poullaouen to Morlaix - 40 km.

A rather damp start this morning but still very warm although Billy has on several layers. Found green route just outside village and for the first 30 km we only saw 2 old men walking their dogs which shows how quiet these green routes are. Slightly worried that it could be hilly as we are going through the mountain region of Brittany but delighted to find the old trains cut through the valleys and before we knew it we had covered 40 km and arrived in Morlaix by lunch time. Weather had cheered up although sun didn't often break through. Staying in a small chateau up at the top of Morlaix which is quite a climb with a bike and all your wordly goods including dirty washing! The sound system is in keeping with the rest of the house.
To David and Murray - there is still no sign of Monsieur Chapelure!
We have now come to the end of the green route although it is due to be continued from here to Roscoff soon. It's back to roads tomorrow.

Guerin to Poullaouen - 38 Km

Did I say Sunday was a day of rest - well in France so is Monday!
Started off this morning - very chilly but bright and sunny. Along Green route through beautiful countryside and met a few joggers and other cyclists but not busy. Cycled to Carhaix. The photograph of the musicians is in the middle of a roundabout approaching this town where we thought it would be a lively little town but nothing open. We luckily stopped outside the tourist information at the same time as the lady who worked there was talking to a friend. The Office was shut but she helped us with the information we required to find a bed for tonight. On leaving the town we happened upon a Lidl supermarket and after purchasing some goodies for lunch the girl at the till asked us for our postcode!!!! All for items worth 2 euros 76. We telephoned our booking for tonight but on arriving in Poullaouen a few hours later all was deathly quiet. We sat by the church and caught up on sunday's news from paper purchased in Cahaix. After an hour the place came to life and the auberge opened its doors to us. Weather still continues to be hot and sunny but Billy finds the mornings a bit chilly!! Still fantastic for october.

Rosporden to Guerin - 39km

Friendly chambre d'hote - invited to drinks before we cycled to restaurant for dinner. Fab meal but had to cycle back in darkness - great stars and moon but very little other light. At breakfast we met son of family who played in a pipeband which had been taking part in the world competition in Glasgow in September. Today we cycled along green route past 2 derelict stations which had been revived into a museum and a cafe. Today it is sunday - a day of rest - well France takes this to an extreme and we found no restaurant open at lunch time and even the chambre d'hotes did not answer their phone and when we arrived at the place they were out. Eventually through meeting a very nice Romanian couple we found a small hotel which they had stayed at previously and put us in touch. A very pleasant, but basic hotel where the owner actually cooked for us in the evening although he was really closed.

Ste.Marine to Rosporden 49 Kms

Today was a day of good and bad. First the bad - Billy watched England beat Scotland at Rugby World Cup before we set off cycling this morning. The good - Shirley actually used top gear for the first time this trip. Either the hills are gentler or I am getting braver.
Last night our B & B was in a lovely little village Ste Marine, right at the coast and I even paddled. It was so warm in the early evening there were many people still on the beach. We ate at a super restaurant at the port. Today we set of later because of the rugby and headed east over an enormous bridge Pont de Cornouaille into Benodet and then onto Concarneau. By the time we reached there we had to find a bicycle shop as shirley's bike was refusing to change down to 1st gear. All was soon fixed and we wandered around the very pretty walled city of Concarneau where we saw bands of people playing and many tourists were still around even though it is 1st October. Can hardly believe the weather - it is more like August.
We then cycled onto a small town Rosporden and a further 2km brought us to our beautiful rural B & B from where we can start tomorrow cycling on the green ways which will eventually bring us up to Morlaix. Unfortunately because we are out of town we will have to cycle this evening to return to Rosporden for dinner but it will be worth it!! Wonderful weather continues. We are so lucky.

Quimper to Ste. Martine 35kms.

Evening walk round Quimper and visit to wonderful cathedral. Our B&B was built for the clergy in 1550 and as you can see from the corner Shirley is standing at is a very interesting building on several levels. Today we found the elusive Green Routes which a fellow cyclist had told us about a few days ago. They are mainly old railtracks which the French Dr. Beeching had disused. Shirley is seen cycling along the quiet track.
Our coffee and lunch break was at Pont L'Abbe by an old church wall. A very pretty town set at the River Pont L'Abbe. After lunch we cycled on to Ste. Martine which as you can see is a lovely fishing/sailing port. We are in a modern house with a lady who wants to talk to us in very fast French but I have managed to organise the England /Scotland game on her tv tomorrow morning.

Chateaulin to Quimper 31Km

Spent night in a very quaint B & B run by an English couple. It was called The Old Forge House and it was set by the side of a cemetry - very uplifting. Chateaulin,see photo, is a lovely town built up high around the banks of River L'Aulne. Great cycling shop which fixed puncture and very accommodating hosts who ferried Billy's pack to the shop. Left town after buying lunch provisions and having coffee as we had to wait for bike shop to open. Still glorious weather. Terrain very hilly but maybe we are becoming used to them or they are becoming gentler - they don't seem so arduous. Decided to make short trip to Quimper and take time to look over the city on afternoon and tomorrow morning- do a bit of culture! Booked into a beautiful B & B in the city see photos of outside tonight's place of rest.

Daoulas to Chateaulin 42 Kms.

Evening spent walking round pretty village(see photo) and visited the ancient abbey then dinner at the B&B bought from SuperU.
Set off 9am and cycled to Le Fauo for coffee and provisions for a picnic lunch as the day is warm and sunny.Turned west 'la vent est sur la nez' quelle surprize!!! Across a magnificent bridge across L'Aulne river looking down to where David ,Murray,me and Malcolm had a very nice meal and Malcolm chatted up the waitress/owner with his fly undone!! On to lunch in a field then on to our destination Chateaulin. At the SHUT tourist office Billy sees his back tyre is flat so after phoning a B&B he carts his bike to a bike shop for repair.Billy and Shirley then climb a very steep hill to the B&B run by an English couple. Weather has been wonderful. Tonight we will wander the very attractive town and have dinner in town.

Plouider to Daoulas - distance 38 km

Lovely evening meal with 5 courses cooked by a Scottish chef from Glenrothes. Hotel beautifully situated looking over Bay of Goulven with magnificent sunset .
Day 2 dawned and we were shrouded in fog. No need to hurry so after a leisurely breakfast and re-sorting of poly bags yet again we set off. By this time the sun had burned off most of the fog and we were able to see where we were going and more importantly we were able to be seen by all.
By this time we had agreed upon a route. Major breakthrough. We are going to be more leisurely than last year but still with a challenge. We have to be back at Roscoff Thursday 7 October, see as much of Brittany as we can and we have to avoid as many hills as possible!! Hope to get down to Quimper and join green route which will take us along cycle tracks where railway lines have beeen prevously.
Headed to Landerneau but took a slight detour to Plounventer for coffee. Up till Landerneau the route was undulating and very pleasant with little or no traffic - mainly rural farming land. Reached Landerneau by lunch time and booked our accommodation at local Tourist Office. Meandered through market and down to the riverside before heading out of town towards our destination for the day Daoulas. What a hill we met!!!!! By this time the weather was hot and sunny and the road was up,up and even more up -2 kms up!! Very little conversation and lots of puffing we reached the top and stopped for our picnic and to catch our breath. Cycled on and reached Daoulas shortly after so straight into the pub for a beer. Lovely B & B in quiet little town. Bought dinner in supermarket and ate in garden. Weather fabulous - hope it continues.

Roscoff to Plouider 49k

France wasn't exactly welcoming! In fact it was pouring with rain and the dawn had not even come up. First stop coffee shop at Roscoff ferry terminal until daylight appeared and then clad in our luminous dayglo wet weather gear the 2 silly oaps set off to the west. As our day had begun early(7 am French time) coffee was needed to keep us going so we found ourselves stopping at a small port of Muguenier where the rugby cup was on tv but noone around watching. Monday in rural France is so quiet you feel as though you are imposing on someone's grief. Weather improved and blue sky appeared to help dry us out and cheer us up. Found some life in a little town Plouescat where we enjoyed galettes and some cider. Onwards and upwards (seriously steep) until we found our first night's stop at Plouider. A welcome hotel stop to dry out our wet kit. Really pleased we managed to climb all the hills on our bikes without stopping - can't be that unfit!

Off tonight!!!!

At Plymouth outside David and Sengul's before we set off on ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff on our next adventure. Here's hoping for fine weather and may the wind always blow in the right direction!!!!

Bikes at plymouth

Our 2 bikes in the modern stylish Sainsburys plastic bags. These will be discarded after we start with dry bums!!
We start tomorow, Sunday 25th September on the ferry to Roscoff at 11pm.
More will be written as our trip progresses.