Day 31 PORT BOULET 04.09.2022

On Sunday, initially we didn't want to continue, as a day of rest and a shorter tour for shopping would have been preferred. Moreover, very high heat was forecasted, so even more reason to stay in the small apartment. But it was already occupied, so we set off.

As announced in the Loire cycle path guide, it was partly quite steep and we got wet for the first time in Huismes village. But the rest of the way to Chinon was very relaxing, no cars, across wide fields (mostly with dark sunflowers), and very well signposted. In Chinon, we visited an ALDI supermarket. In France, most supermarkets are open on Sundays until noon, so we could stock up on food because we have a vacation apartment through Bookingcom again. After ALDI, by the way, organized and with the same products as in Germany, the culture came. The huge fort dominates the entire cityscape, next to the individual wineries with their often very stately main houses. We then visited points recommended by the tourist information, but in the crazy heat (30° and more), it just wasn't fun to move around on foot.

So farewell Chinon and onwards to Savigny-en-Veron. Again, very peaceful and varied cycle paths that also allowed for fast progress. We didn't know beforehand that we would pass by a nuclear power plant. Truly huge greenhouses (more like factories with a minimum length of 800m and several of them) were located in close proximity to the power plant. My theory: the immense amount of heat is used to promote a variety of vegetables and fruits. In England, warm wastewater is used for fish farming. But it's a very strange sight for a wine drinker to see the endless fields of red grapevines right next to it! Cheers, when the bottle glows in the dark cellar!

Now it wasn't far to Porte Boulet and to our accommodation. In the end, a question in the local bakery and Karin's mobile phone brought us to the destination. Only when cracking the key safe, there was a minor problem for a short time, as always! The landlords had suggested that they would be present and therefore asked for our arrival time. Unfortunately, no one was there, so we sneaked onto the property through a small door. Here we knocked everywhere and called out loudly, but no reaction. So we called and then a lady on the phone, who spoke perfect French, except me. And my excitement also prevented me from knowing numbers! In any case, the woman had to repeat the four digits at least four times until we finally had the key in our hands and then found the correct door with her instructions. Oh dear! But in the end, everything was fine and Karin immediately contacted the lady (with the in-house Wi-Fi) and she, in turn, thanked us for our feedback. I probably don't need to write anymore about the joy of very cold showers and the joy of drinking wine!