As usual Russell was up bright and early making me a cup of tea. He was off up the Avenue de Champagne by 8.04 am and I was hot on his heels….After a short run – (30mins easy which wasn’t so easy at the end as hip still very sore) and a shower we went out in search of breakfast and a supermarche. We knew we had to get away quite soon as we had over 300miles to drive to Clermont Ferrand.
Leaving at about 10am, we were once again challenged by local traffic signals before finally escaping onto the open road (D3) towards Troyes. We had a 120 km drive before turning SW onto the N77, then N151, thru’ Auxerre, then Charité sur la Loire and Bourges before turning South towards Clermont Ferrand on the A71.
The temperature rose as we progressed South and the agricultural landscape rolled out around us. The smooth ride was punctuated by both Convois Exceptionels et Convois Agricoles – occupational hazards in these parts - they definitely make for more exciting overtaking.
At about 13:30 we stopped for a welcome dejeuner at one of the many ‘Parking’ along the N roads. What is interesting is how the French make these areas very user friendly with green planting and screened hedges as well as frequent picnic benches. I was determined to look after the driver so put out the Queenswood QUAC chairs and opened the virgin Tchibo picnic ball; we enjoyed a real French lunch of camembert, bread, tomatoes and peaches in the sun…(and I managed a large glass of local rosé)
At just after 6pm we arrived at the Relais Kennedy Clermont Ferrand and enjoyed a welcome beer by the pool in the 26 degree sun – marvellous! I had a quick swim then we were out to eat at the hotel restaurant. We had been treated to views of the Auvergne volcanoes en route….can’t wait to see more tomorrow.
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