Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire
another biking adventure
01.05.2018
15 °C
It was a nice leisurely start to the day. We had woken up to sunshine and already our spirits were lifted.
The Loire has numerous chateaux along its banks, and this one is the closest to where we have been staying. Was to be approx 16km there, and also an Abbey in a village along the way. So lots for us to see and discover as we biked. For me biking over the bridge spanning the Loire is a major exercise. I simply do not like heights and it is a real challenge. So this is a wide river and a wide bridge. With determination made a shaky crossing. Unfortunately before actually reaching the Chateau we had to cross it again. Today I have been 4 times over the river. Cant say my confidence has got any better yet.
Our first stop was Saint-Benoit sur Loire Abbey. While it was beautiful another were 2 buses already there with people going through, what really amazed me was the crypt underneath with the relics of Saint Benoit in there. We were whispering and it was a very strange feeling being there. There was to be a procession in the village commemorating Joan of Arc on the 3rd May. Such ancient history and yet still so present.
Biking through the countryside was lovely. It is Labour Day in France today, and it is taken seriously. i.e. nothing open. Also lots of people out enjoying either fishing, biking, walking etc. When we reached the chateau/castle/fortress it was already busy . It was fascinating and easier to relate too than Versailles. It seems Joan of Arc had been held captive here. There was a movie depicting this but in either french or german-not much use to us. This castle had been in private family (Bethune) hands until 1962, but is now being restored and managed by the local authority.
Biking back was enjoyable, and tonight we were able to sit outside the vans and savour a drink after the bike ride. In all we biked 44 km. We are promised warmer weather as the week progresses. Travel day again tomorrow. Maybe Limoges -see how the trip pans out.
Posted by Sallyj66 09:21 Archived in France Comments (0)