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Nice, fairly short ride today. The first half was like driving through Kansas, flat and straight. We went through a tunnel, climbed a couple of small hills, and stopped for a break in a cute little crossroads town.
We followed a river gorge for much of the ride, with dramatic cliffs rising both across the river and above our heads.
About 5 miles from our destination, our route took us up up up an old twisty road to the top of an overlook.
The road was carved through the cliffs, under overhangs and through tunnels through the rock. You can see Eric far off in his red jacket.
Just a few minutes later we coasted down a long hill and over the river into Saint Antonin Noble Val (hereafter to be known in this post as SANV).
SANV is an adorable intact medieval village which, because it was a backwater for 500+ years, has retained both its original street plan (tiny alleys, hidden squares, canals and low archways) and many of its 14th and 15th century buildings.
The old City Hall - the oldest building in France that's not a church.
Apparently SANV has been discovered by the Brits, because all of the real estate offices have listings in both French and English. Prices are quite reasonable compared to big U.S. cities, so if you're looking for a place to pick up a fixer upper, consider SANV!
We dropped our stuff and bikes at our B&B, the Cheval Blanc, itself a beautifully restored 14th cen house owned by Brits, and headed into town.
Our reader often asks me, "what do you do when you get to a town before you go out to dinner and take gorgeous photos?"
Actually no one has asked that, but I shall tell you anyway. Typically we wander around trying to see the town (all the cute streets and notable buildings, the main church, any market squares...) and then we go to a bar, have a beer and watch the last stretch of the Giro.
Today's stage required two beers, as we watched these nutcases muscle up 40+ km of 6-16% grade as they finished the stage climbing Mt. Etna. Pretty good, but try that with panniers, fellows!
Then a shower, a rest, and dinner. We're back to fancy French multicourse meals tonight at the some but elegant L'auberge Des Sens.
Cheesy delight (but different varieties) for both of us.
Followed by "fish of the moment" for A
and veal for E
After that we were too full for dessert. Just kidding, we just forgot to take pictures.
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