Sunday 9 Sept 2018 Amboise to Azay le Rideau

This was a long day on our heavy hybrids – 42 miles. And hot, high 80’s. We did a picnic on the grounds of Chateau d’Artigny in Montbazon that has been converted to a 4-star hotel.

Our hotel in Azay, the Bienicourt, is 3-stars, but maybe the most cramped we have stayed at this whole trip. We’re asking for different room for the second night.

Along the road

Our navigation system is working well. I have the Garmin GPS loaded with the route and Lauve has the que sheet provided by the tour company. One is a double check on the other. It would be frustrating and stressful to do the rides with only one of the two. Peter and Barbara had the same arrangement.

Monday 10 Sept 2018 – Loop to Chateau de Villandry

What can I say – another beautiful day riding through the countryside on smooth, well maintained roads with little, if any traffic. Agriculture today was mostly orchards – apple and pear. It was harvest time so we did stop to sample – delicious. Lauve got stung by a bee or wasp as we traveled through the fields. It didn't look so serious till we got back to the hotel. Then it started to swell and itch - ouch!

The major stop for today was the chateau in Villandry. This chateau has the most beautiful gardens of any we have seen. It was also the most modern and complete in its renovation. You could almost envision living in it except for the lack of bathrooms.

Love garden

Kitchen garden

More kitchen garden

On the way back to Azay we road along the Cher River and past its confluence with the Loire.

We did get our room changed to a much bigger, more comfortable room – yeah!