Again I have highlighted a little town on the map for an unknown reason, so we find ourselves in Loches. Every town now has a either castle, Chateau, Cathedral or monastery.
Loches has all, impossibly pretty limestone houses, and a town wall with gates. There are consequently some tourists, but not overwhelming. From here there is marked a cycle route to the Loire, mostly along side a busy road. We notice lots of fresh horse manure on the road (either one horse with an upset tummy or a lot of horses!) It turns out to be Gypsies with traditional horse drawn caravans, camped across the cycle path and taking their beautiful brown horses to the local village pond for water. One family of gypsies are also enjoying swimming, washing and fishing in the pond.
After 66 miles, ending in a lovely shady road through woods, we are at the gorgeous historic town of Amboise on the Loire. Standing looking a little lost, a New Zealand tourist comes up and gives us her town map! We find we are right beside the bridge we need to an island in the river where our campsite is located. It is beautiful, river and trees all around, plenty of grassy plots and fellow touring cyclists to chat to, mostly ladies! Two lady couples (one young pair English as we spot from their Waitrose bag), and a single lady with one lone chap with a trailer. As we cook our evening meal a whooshing noise attracts everyone's attention. Then 4 enormous, colourful hot-air balloons fill up behind some trees, and set of in the sunset down the river!
Miles to date:- 2294
Location:Availles-le-Chatellerault to Amboise
