We had to stay in Niort last night as there is no accommodation in Champdeniers. However the French national gymnastic championships were taking place in Niort over the weekend which meant it was difficult to find anywhere to eat.
It also meant that this morning we had to drive the 15 miles back to Champdeniers for me to rejoin the route back to Niort. It was hilly but not quite as bad as I thought it might be, through unspectacular scenery, and villages which probably house commuters to Niort.
The afternoon was different as I entered Le Marais Poitevin along pretty waterways to Coulon.
The town was crowded with folk enjoying the Pentecost bank holiday and taking traditional boat trips.
The final part of the day’s ride was to Damvix, still within Le Marais Poitevin. My progress was restricted by dawdling cyclists on the path but in particular by the gale that was blowing off the sea. On the way I stopped to watch group of four cyclists cross on a chain ferry with one of the ladies doing all the work.
Ros had booked us into a donkey sanctuary for the night…more later
Jon on a bike...La Vélo Francette 