A delayed departure from our beach campsite as we had to wait till 9 am to get the beach access key returned and the cash deposit refunded. Another glorious day as we cycled thru Les Sables D’Olonne’s waterfront. Interesting architecture with a mix of classic old intermingled with more recent modern building . Big crowds of weekend cyclists and walkers and beach goers.

As the day progressed we had a mix of trails , some farmland and skirting larger settlements . We stopped at a surf beach , Les Conches , and I minded the bikes in the busy access point while Barbs went for her swim . As she says , “ beaches are my happy place “ and she just loves to swim .

Finally stopped at Saint Michel en L’ Herm . Everything shuts midday on Sundays thru France , but fortunately we’d iced up early in the day with provisions including a nice bottle of Rose

Barb drinks Rose , and she’s swinging me round to her favourite tipple , initially an economic decision but now ? In the very hot conditions there is a certain amount of pleasure in having a nice ice chilled bottle to enjoy at days end .

However the selection is problematic as the choice in just this category is huge . And we just hit n hope for the best . Our friend Jeff from nz has given us some labels to look out for . Prices much lower than nz but quality very good

The ride to La Rochelle was a rural affair traversing lovely field of sunflower and wheat and lots of water canals .

After about 1400 km I finally get to see some French beehives . In nz you would most likely to see beehives every 14 km

Fishing technique , large horizontal nets winched up as quickly as you can

After 7 days even God stopped for a rest and likewise Barbs pointed out that we have cycled consecutively these past seven days and it’s time out time . La Rochelle is reputably a fascinating very old port city with a huge amount to explore . We have decided this will be a 3 nighter . Furthermore we have a special invitation to have a “ French dinner with a lovely French couple we met somewhere near Saumur on the Loire . looking forward to tonight !