Philwhiskeydrinker
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the positive comments all 
Time to bring the ride report to a close & my final installment.
Kev and I were enjoying the steady paced bike trip and our time in Amboise so much so, we decided to extend the stay for a further 2 nights until the end of the trip
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amboise
Another leisurely day strolling the streets, drinking coffee and eating baguettes and cake!
We took the little choo, choo train on a guided trip of Amboise, where some little skater scamps managed a free lift up the hill.
The next day we took a 5 miles or so run to Chenonceau Chateau was certainly worthwhile, despite a pooly pigugly earlier in the morning ....
The Shaker bar has a lot to answer for....
By now we are greeted with a french kiss (not the tonguesey type!) by the bar staff & some of the regulars both on arrival & our departure last thing at night, bit weird at first but hey, ho [emoji3]
Chenonceau Chateau is well worth a visit;
http://www.chenonceau.com/index.php/en
The trip around da Vinchi's final home;
http://www.vinci-closluce.com/en/
Which was lovely if a little overpriced and a little underwhelming, unfortunately cut short by an imminent deluge and rather impressive thunder storm - wanted to get back to the campsite pdq as were on the bikes - wearing jeans!
We made it, without too much of a soaking.
Cue an hour or two skulking in the tents waiting for the storm to pass (which it did, got out nice too )
Some random pics;
Who says flooding is a new phenomenon?
Saturday was decamp & head to Guines (near Calais) for the return Chunnel early Sunday morning.
The first campsite we were lead to (combo of sat nav & local signs) was one of those 'less inviting' sites. You know the ones - hostile owners, dogs barking, rusty old vehicles in various states of disrepair....
Lets go!
We eventually found the site we wanted and were originally aiming for (long story involving my sat nav...!), had a lovely evening, even watched a school brass band (how cultured is that?)
Last on the train - how empty?
And oficially the end of a great, memorable trip.
Sometimes less definately is more.
I'd highly recommend Amboise as a base for either a relaxed bike trip or family holiday, lots to do within either walking (lots of cycling too) distance or a short car/bike trip.
A great, cheap campsite with decent facilities (toilets/showers, bar/restaurant) a swimming pool next door, Loire river canoe trips nearby, handy walk into town & nearby train station for trips to Tours, Blois etc - not as if we had time for any of that.....!
http://www.campsite-amboise.com/
Phil
Time to bring the ride report to a close & my final installment.
Kev and I were enjoying the steady paced bike trip and our time in Amboise so much so, we decided to extend the stay for a further 2 nights until the end of the trip
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amboise
Another leisurely day strolling the streets, drinking coffee and eating baguettes and cake!
We took the little choo, choo train on a guided trip of Amboise, where some little skater scamps managed a free lift up the hill.
The next day we took a 5 miles or so run to Chenonceau Chateau was certainly worthwhile, despite a pooly pigugly earlier in the morning
....
The Shaker bar has a lot to answer for....
By now we are greeted with a french kiss (not the tonguesey type!) by the bar staff & some of the regulars both on arrival & our departure last thing at night, bit weird at first but hey, ho [emoji3]
Chenonceau Chateau is well worth a visit;
http://www.chenonceau.com/index.php/en
The trip around da Vinchi's final home;
http://www.vinci-closluce.com/en/
Which was lovely if a little overpriced and a little underwhelming, unfortunately cut short by an imminent deluge and rather impressive thunder storm - wanted to get back to the campsite pdq as were on the bikes - wearing jeans!
We made it, without too much of a soaking.
Cue an hour or two skulking in the tents waiting for the storm to pass (which it did, got out nice too
)Some random pics;
Who says flooding is a new phenomenon?
Saturday was decamp & head to Guines (near Calais) for the return Chunnel early Sunday morning.
The first campsite we were lead to (combo of sat nav & local signs) was one of those 'less inviting' sites. You know the ones - hostile owners, dogs barking, rusty old vehicles in various states of disrepair....
Lets go!
We eventually found the site we wanted and were originally aiming for (long story involving my sat nav...!), had a lovely evening, even watched a school brass band (how cultured is that?)
Last on the train - how empty?
And oficially the end of a great, memorable trip.
Sometimes less definately is more.
I'd highly recommend Amboise as a base for either a relaxed bike trip or family holiday, lots to do within either walking (lots of cycling too) distance or a short car/bike trip.
A great, cheap campsite with decent facilities (toilets/showers, bar/restaurant) a swimming pool next door, Loire river canoe trips nearby, handy walk into town & nearby train station for trips to Tours, Blois etc - not as if we had time for any of that.....!
http://www.campsite-amboise.com/
Phil
