Day 16 Decize to Digoin 80kms

 Off on an adventure on another blue sky day.  We headed out through town at a busy time with traffic and so was good to join the cycle trail within a few KMs.  We started by riding along the river Aron before heading up into the hills.

Today was the most continuously hilly riding for about 25-30kms in the middle of the day.  Some long climbs along blackberry lined farm roads.  Not much traffic apart from some tractors and farm vehicles.  The views across the fields to neighbouring towns were beautiful.  

We were getting hungry so found a shady spot and I set out my groundsheet for a picnic beside the cornfields.  We relaxed for 30-40mins and when we started riding again it felt like the temp had increased by 5 degrees.

Saw a cool Eurovelo route 6 sign on a fence saying 619kms.to the Atlantic Ocean to the West and 3831kms to the Black Sea to the east! 

Called in to wander through the town of Bourbon Lancy, famous as a spa town.  The old town area was beautiful to walk through.  Headed off after a cold juice with lots of ice.

Only a few more hills and then we headed down to the canal edge to cycle the relatively flat and often shaded route to our final destination.  Approx every 1km.there is a short sharp hill up to a bridge over the canal and down the other side again.

We cycled over another canal bridge over a river and then winded our way down to the campsite.  This is an unkept place, but only for 1 night and close to town.  

Had the most beautiful French 3 course set meal tonight.  The duck was tender and beautiful and the waitress recommended the Madeleine for dessert.  

All this while sitting alfresco in the square looking at the church.  As we were leaving I noticed a stork was sitting on its huge nest on top of the church tower!

See up on the top left of the tower.  A very busy bird in its nest

Very happy with my leg today.  I now feel it's 95% back to normal, for which I'm very grateful.