Meeting the locals
First job of the day was to get some milk for breakfast. Campsites here don't have camp kitchens so I can't keep milk cold overnight or freeze my esky bricks to keep food cool during the day. It's quite a dilemma as I'm forced to buy food on the run which is never economical. I also needed an Allen key to put the bar-ends on as the two I had in my kit were the wrong size (of course!).
I bought supplies then headed down to the river to have breakfast. After I'd eaten, I put the bar-ends on Henry which was an incredibly simple and quick job. Feeling very proud of myself, I repacked the whole bike, donned jacket, helmet, glasses, gloves... jumped on the bike and started him up... throttle is locked - bar-end is too tight and won't allow it to move.
Removed, gloves, glasses, helmet, jacket... pulled everything off the bike again because the Allen key is under the seat!
Loosened off the bar-end but now it is so loose that it will just vibrate and drop off - no doubt on the side of the road never to be seen again. I bodgied up a kinda rubber washer to hold it somewhat tight without it touching the throttle but it is far from satisfactory and I'll need to do a better job later when I get to a workshop. An hour later I was on the road finally. Henry was behaving beautifully with his extra weight on the bars and no longer shuddered around corners. I'm so glad I went to the effort of getting the bar-ends.
Many of the Bike Club France members have invited me to stay at their homes. They are all Brits who have emigrated to live in France and they often have rideouts together. I'm booked into 3 meetings later in June and it will be wonderful to have that local knowledge and guides for the best roads.
One of the ladies, Su, has said I can pitch my tent in her yard so I gave her a ring and headed her way. Arrived late afternoon and was treated to a delightful evening with her and hubby Bob. She cooked me a fabulous meal and we yakked long into the night.
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