Fecamp to Quiberville. 35 miles plus 6.

After refusing madam’s breakfast in favour of a cafe on route we visit the supermarket for water, pate, fruit, and bread for lunch.

We commence the long climb out of Fecamp with its lovely views of the town.

Just at the steepest point it starts to rain. Luckily we spot someone’s garage on the roadside with an overhang that we can shelter under. We are joined by another cyclist until her husband cycles past and she sets off to follow.

The route is quiet and rural.

At a village we explore the side streets in the hope of finding a cafe. But we are out of luck and so we continue until the new route deviates from the one set by the Garmin. On checking the Garmin route I note that it goes to a beach with some houses, where I hope we might might find a cafe. Within a few hundred yards of a steep descent we realise that the new route probably avoids us having to take another climb. However it is too late, we have missed the opportunity of an easier route. At the beach there is a kiosk but it is closed. We now have to commence the long climb back up to the main route. This includes us having to traverse a barrier and climb about 100 steps. Now we know why the route has changed. Halfway up the climb my compatriot announced that she was going to take charge of the blog today, no doubt to get her own back.

However she was thwarted because at the top of the hill at around 11:30 we reach a village and there is a Tabac selling coffee. When we ask for petite dejeunier madam looks at her watch and sends me to the Boulongerie to get croissants. She is happy for us to eat these with her coffee. It could almost have been planned!

At this point my compatriot insists we follow the route signs and not the Garmin. Unfortunately this adds another 5 miles to the planned route. This route could be described as undulating and sees my compatriot walking up some of the hills.

Did I mention I am still under the weather with a cold and chesty cough? I am still taking Beachams hot/cold lemon in my water bottle in the hope it will improve.

The sun comes out about 2:30 so we stop for our picnic in a village square. I won’t mention the original choice of a bus shelter made by my compatriot which was covered in pigeon droppings.

The sun stays out for the rest of the undulating afternoon until we reach our hotel on the beach where the owners are operating on French time. We have to wait for the appointed door opening time which is 5.00p.m.. We pass the time reading on the patio, luckily in the sunshine. It could have been a lot worse with rain not sun. Actually when we got in the hotel they announced that the bar / restaurant was closed so I take it all back.

Not to be thwarted we have a shower, find a bar and then another restaurant where we order beer, moules, frites and wine, in that order. All is well and we retire to our room with a beautiful view of the sea.