Saint-Georges-de-Didonne to Marennes 36 miles Running total 500 miles. Woohoo!

Here are todays routes  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42317316 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42317374

Today, we start cycling on the Route des Mers (Route of the Seas), which links the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. We then change onto the route La Vélodyssée (Atlantic Route). Hence, the two links to routes listed above.

The weather is overcast and a bit chilly this morning.  Unfortunately, the warm weather in the south is not travelling as fast in a northerly direction as we are, but at least it is forecast to be dry and to warm up later. Before we leave, we go shopping for lunch and a degreaser for my compatriots legs as yesterday’s bike lubrication is again being wiped off her chain.

We arrive at Royan, a busy port and seaside city. It is also the location of the other ferry that crosses the mouth of the Garonne, which we used on a previous trip. The new La Vélodyssée cycleway weaves its way round beautiful headlands and bays as it follows the Atlantic coast north. We have great views and pass through various small seaside resorts

We leave the outskirts of Royan and civilisation to ride through forests between the sand dunes and coast road. The cycleway is better maintained than most UK roads, well used, and makes cycling a pleasure. We make excellent time and make the most of the various steep descents along the cycleway that help us accelerate up the undulating hills.

There is a big cycling event taking place on the roads around the cycleway with serious cyclists with even more serious legs (but none as well oiled as my compatriots). At every junction where the cycleway crosses the roads that are being raced on, there are marshals with stop and go boards to ensure we do not inadvertently join the race.

We cross a massive bridge over the River Seudre, and, as we have come to expect, a cycle path for cyclists. The view from the bridge is spectacular, and now that we have left the forest behind us, we cycle towards Marennes, todays destination.

Marennes is an area famous for oyster farms, which we can see on both sides of the cycleway. Unfortunately, the tour organiser has booked us into a hotel that shuts its restaurant on a Saturday night (what sort of hotel does that, one in an industrial park). The good news is that the bar is open, and the sun is shining, and it has a small swimming pool that is avaliable. The hotel is also close to the Velodyssee route and so it will be easy for us in the morning.

It is only a 6 minute ride on a bike or 30 min walk to the nearest Goggle recommend restaurant if you discount the closer pizza restaurant with terrible reviews. My compatriot opts for the walk.

It was worth the walk. Lovely small port side restaurant with local products on a small menu. We were lucky to get a table. My compatriots Babel French came in useful, along with sign language. I thought it was a nice walk back through the village with the sound of thunder, and we just beat the rain. How lucky is that.