Day 99
A day of extraordinary kindness
We had a wonderful night in our caravan, Tom was able to spend quite a bit of time editing his photos sat at a table and I had a lie in, luxury! When we went to pay, the wonderful owners refused payment, they were so happy to help us succeed with our journey around the world by bike. I struggled not to cry, we were both so touched by their kindness, Josiane and Pierre-Yves, thank you both so much. Their campsite, Du Bois Noir, at Saint-Hilaire-Loulay sits right next to the Vendée Vélo traffic free cycle route, so it’s a perfect spot for weary cyclists, even has a large barn with my favourite luxury a kettle and lots more to relax in!
We continued on the Vendée Vélo, and soon came to a small town, Montaigu, as we stood looking at the view of the Parc du Chateau, a cyclist stopped for a chat. He was a young French man called Samuel, who live in Taunton UK, but was home visiting his mum. We had a great chat, then he explained his mum, Aline Airaud, ran the local boulangerie and would we like some cakes? It was turning out to be such a special day. As for the cakes well they looked wonderful and tasted even better. Thanks so much! Samuel also give me his email in case we ever needed any help or advice. We ate our cakes feeling very blessed.
Tom had planned the route so we would pass Le Sanctuaire de la Salette in La Rabateliere. It is a group of religious buildings commemorating the apparition of the Virgin Mary to two children in the French Alps in 1846. It is set on a steep bank overlooking La Petite Maine-et-Loire River. It is simply stunning. Every year on the first Sunday in September it is a place of pilgrimage for many, but today just Tom and I, one of two fellow tourists and one mountain biker were there. The mountain biker was clearly drawn to the steep descent, he managed just fine, I didn’t. I was filming at the time, so if it makes the cut you might hear me fall on my bottom!
No harm done, we headed on to our home for the night, with Didier and Isabella and their son Luca. Didier was in charge in the kitchen and created a wonderful dish of duck topped with potatoes and celeriac, not to be outdone, Isabella made a wonderful dessert with fruit grown by her father. Tom and I ate a bit too much, but we did save room for the cheese!
We spent a great evening, chatting away and hearing about their plans for their first visit the UK this week. I tried to prepare them that good food is available, but not everywhere as it is in France!
