Day 33 SAINT-REMY-LA-VARENNE 06.09.2022

Today we leave our hotel outside and drive once again to the collection of shops on the green meadow. We had discovered Intersport there and I wanted to try out my worn shoes with the right insoles and thicker socks. Everything went well and Karin immediately made my worn-out old Lidl shoes disappear in a bin! But I saved the blue shoelaces first! Who knows?

Then we drove on the well-signposted 'Velo Loire' route and reached the Loire without any major problems. The path was very relaxed and easy to ride. Of course, it was sunny again, but not too hot. On the way, which is also the name of our blog, we tried to take a suitable action photo: both of us riding our bikes on the path with the Loire in the background!? Great task and doable with a self-timer (10 seconds delay), we thought. It was very funny and despite several attempts, not so easy. You have already seen the results above.

The route made up for it, because we have never seen so many stately houses with large lots in front of them and often horses on them. Normal living or a special area? No matter how long a vacation is, there are certain questions for which you don't get answers. This also applies to Canault, one of the smaller towns: Here we found a very old and large church (fitting for such a small place?), which impressed us with its absolute simplicity. In addition, there were completely worn-out stone steps at the entrance, which could certainly tell volumes about human hope and despair. There were also information boards on the subject of 'Gregorian chants', which are apparently practiced here. But on we went, because with the poorly predicted weather, we wanted to get relatively far towards Angers so that we wouldn't have to spend the last two days soaking wet. Surprisingly, today was very sunny again and we enjoyed the breeze and shade under the trees. The planned swimming breaks at the beautiful Loire river spots did not stop us either, because this river hardly has any water left. We often wondered if the many islands are also visible in normal conditions? But I don't think so, and we can understand the problems of the French nuclear power plants very well. Only the wine must not be watered, at least not in Germany, and it will survive the dryness as well.

And so we arrived in Saint-Remy-la-Varenne via Gennes (again no swimming) and Le Thoureil (no small Loire boat tour). Here, the cycle path changes sides (previously on the left) and at the end of the bridge, the town of Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire (now on the right). Here we spontaneously wanted to go to the tourist office and arrange accommodation. We hadn't seen any offers along the way and had already been on the saddle for 28 km since Saumur. It's enough, we thought. But unfortunately, the tourist office was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Our internet search also didn't yield any acceptable results (only options that were far away or in the destination of Angers), and when I thought, how wishful thinking, which shouldn't be the case after almost 30 days in France, that the Hotel de Ville is an accommodation (no, it's always the town hall/municipal administration!), we became restless. But on the other side of the Loire, just before you cross the bridge, we saw a Gites offered by a Prieurery. So, now the translation for the interested reader: The offer 'Gites' is usually the provision of simple accommodation (with a kitchen, etc.) and is therefore usually very cheap. This can be used for one night or even months. The next level is the 'Chambres d'Hotes'. These are usually just simple rooms, but the landlords offer a meal (breakfast, dinner) and are also happy to take care of the guest in other ways (accompanying excursions, showing insider tips), thus combining a bit of variety with the rental. Is this an educational blog? Probably a teacher has a hand in it!

Anyway, jokingly, Karin had already expressed on the Loire bridge that she would like to sleep in a monastery. The internet also gave us a phone number and when our inquiry to the host of the bar next to the Hotel de Ville did not yield any alternatives, but a suggestion to try there, I had a woman on the line. I explained to her, as I guessed, that she was only responsible for the cultural events at the Prosperitee and gave us a second number. Since Karin knows best when and where to omit which zero in the sequence, I then had the hostel father on the line. There were still accommodation options and he would come. So we drove back over the bridge and met, no, not a monk with a habit and all that! But a very nice man who showed us the room (3 bunk beds with two showers and a toilet outside the room. All of that just for ourselves! He also showed us the large kitchen with all the interior and cozy atmosphere and an extra garage for the bikes. He also offered us breakfast, all for 56 € !?! We enthusiastically agreed and when he recommended a restaurant to us on the other side in St. Mathurin, with French cuisine, the Loire Valley route was absolutely complete for us! Just like the very enjoyable (à la carte menu and 2 drinks and wine and aperitif and espresso and..) evening in a hidden gem of a restaurant, which also cost us a lot for the good food. 97.60€ 🤨 Then back over the bridge and deep sleep, during which we didn't even notice how often and when and why the church bell next door rang! Only my husband woke up at 1:30 am and felt hungry, which he satisfied with chips. It's great when you wake up from the sound of opening a bag of chips at night.🤔Yes, there will be more about the Prieurery tomorrow!