A taste of France

The first three and a quarter days were great. Helpful tailwinds pushed me along empty, smooth roads with farmers and wildlife for me to watch. I stayed at campsites until yesterday when the tourist information man said "no campsites here, and the only hostel is 48 euros a night", i decided to wildcamp.
When i was sitting at the roadside picnic benches scoffing baggettes, brie and ham, I ignored the darkening sky until the rain made me shelter under a tree. A massive storm came through like a tornado - blowing branches off trees and a deluge of rain. Afterwards i headed back into town to find any hotel, but there weren't any. So wild camping it was; at least the storms and rain meant no sane person would be around to find me.
Later the next morning a local rider - Didier -asked if I wanted anything to eat, so I went to his house where Pascalle - his wife made a lovely 3 lunch finished off with plum liquor on vanilla ice cream.
Must end here, in a campsite at Raon l'Etape next to the Vosage mountains, just heard thunder.
Hope you like the photos.

Wild camping in wild weather

Cycle touring -its a hard life

Wild camping

I went wild camping in the hills. The bike handles the rough tracks well.  My tent and sleeping bag are brilliant, my cooking skills are not.

My bike + luggage

Planning to set off on the 18th of July. I need to practice some wild camping before I do that.

Here is Nellie, with her bags packed. No room for food!