Bagnoles-de-L Orne – Domfront 13 Miles plus 3

Only a short day to day. Domfront is an interesting town which we passed through last year on the south to north La Velo Franchette route. We are making an exception and we are returning to a hotel that we stayed in then. It had an open fired griddle in the recommended restaurant on which the chef cooked steaks and prawns.

We left the beautiful town of Bagnoles-de-L’Orne early in the hope to beat the rain threatened for early afternoon.

The journey was along quiet lanes and through forest trails through The Andaines Forest, where we lost signage and had to resort to asking Mr Garmin to find the route. We only passed through one small town. This very surprisingly had a tabac, with an adjoining village shop, with delightful owners. My compatriot held a conversation which I am convinced neither side understood. We stopped for coffee and tea and brought fruit and water for lunch. I am considering whether this healthy lunch regime is contributing to me feeling unwell, as I am still feeling under par.

We arrived in Domfront and we eat the fruit and then visit a creperie for coffee and pancakes. I feel a little better already. We then search out an opticians as, several days ago, I lost the screw out of my glasses and have been using wire to keep the arm attached to the frame. We note there are three opticians in Domfront, all closed, but one says it will open at 2.30 p.m.

We now have a dilemma. The weather forecast says it will rain between 2pm and 3pm and we can book into the hotel at 2pm. Shall we wait until the optician opens at 2:30 or go to the hotel and then walk back up the steep hill into the town later in the afternoon (and possibly get drenched). We opt to go to the hotel and check in, and, after a shower walk, back up the hill to the town centre. It was a good choice as it had rained while we were in the hotel.

In the town one opticians was open. A delightful young lady took my glasses, repaired, them, put them in a cleaning machine and returned them good as new. On asking the cost she refused payment.

We then walked round the medieval town as I could now read the interpretation boards explaining the history of the town. We met our tandam couple John and Nicol at a point when there was a sudden shower. We went our separate ways, they set off on their tandem, and we went into a bar for a cider to celebrate the return of my loose screw.

At this point, dear reader, I, the compatriot take charge of the blog to add that apart from Domfront having a creperie, tabac and opticians, it is a beautiful medieval city perched high on a hill overlooking the Andaines Forest. The centre dates back to the middle ages and is surrounded by the fortifications of a castle, some of which survives. There is an amazing church in the centre of the town which is decorated with mosaics in an art nouveaux style. If ever you visit this area of France I recommend Domfront.

Ok that’s the history lesson finished. After drinking local cider the rain has stopped so it is a stagger down the long hill back to the hotel for our evening meal with the chef cooking in the restaurant.

Weather forecasts rain overnight and overcast and showery in the morning. Well it is august.