finally an update

we haven`t been able to use the internet in a while.....
this was written on day 18. it is now day 25.

Currently i am sitting outside our tent in a town called chauvigny. ross is playing his beloved mandolin and we are sipping our wine from the tourrine region which we have just passed through. today we decided to have an off day. France has been expecting uncustomary bad weather of late, meaning overcast skies and rain!!! we've been quite lucky really, only been caught out a few times. but when we awoke to the steady beat of rain on our tent we said enough! after paying for a 2nd night, of course the rain stops but we have had a nice day wandering the town including its medieval fortress, sorting our stuff qnd now drinking, shockingly enough only our 2nd bottle of wine so far. France is great, 2 euros on an excellent tasting wine, 1.50 on camembert that comes in its own little box, 50 cents on a baguette and you're set. baguettes have become our staple. we buy them for lunch as we pass through the villages and strap them to my bike with a strap that has now become known as 'the bagueete strap', i know not that original but very clear in its function..
so discoveries made thus far:
1. the now much practiced cyclist head nod
2.the beauty of tailing someone, never before has this meant so much
3. the comraderie of cycle touring. we chat to most other tourers we come into contact with, even spent 2 diff late nights talking with 2 diff couples about cycle experiences, their life, our life.... very friendly and nice
4. the joys of hills. difinetly a love hate relationship
5. the despair of a head wind
6. the overwhelmin awesomeness of a head wind
7. the not so suprising feeling of acheivement when looking at the completed hightlighted route on the map
8. and that by co-reading the book all the pretty horses, about two texas cowboys in mexico. we have started talking like cowboys ourselves :)

now we are in carcassone, will be here for 4 days, meeting up with friends tommorow. looking forward to getting to the meditteranian coast in about a week after leaving here


to be continued.........

Hi there! Thanks for checking out our blog and welcome to nicki and ross' european cycle adventure! The purpose of this blog is to keep friends and family updated on where we are and what we are doing during our time here in europe. We'll try to add posts as often as we can, aiming for one each week. enjoy!

So we're actually two weeks into our trip now. Today is a monday, and I've been finding it hard to keep track of what day it is so far. Each day is at the same time very similar and very different to the one previous. Wake up, break down the camp, and cycle. Thats the basic routine. Plus of course the constant eating, exploring and eventually setting up camp. But also each day brings a different adventure aith different weather, landscapes and people. So not knowing which day of the week it is doesnt pose much of a problem. And thats something we,ll have to get used to, the planned leangth of this trîp being 4 to 5 months, it almost seems more of a lifestyle than a vacation.

Today we are in the loire valley in tours. about to cycle to the chateaux villandry where there are amazing gardens. might check out a couple other chateauxs also. heading further south tommorow and will be in agen in 6 days or so. better get back on the bikes.....
xxxooo ross and nicki