Naked cycling and other matters

Another day of 90% plus off road on surfaced cycle ways. We picked up the route easily having found out where it started last night, so the first excitement was when we passed a naked cyclist pedaling slowly along in front of us on a bike laden down with shopping bags etc. all I am prepared to say is that he made a good advertisement for the nearest clothing store. When asked, the Mechanic did not seem too keen to emulate.......  Our next encounter of interest was with a French cyclist who told us about a ferry across the Bassin de Arachon, which took bikes. It only shaved about 5 miles off the day - but it meant we could stay on the off-road cycle paths, rather than face a ride along the crowded sea fronts of several coastal towns.  We cycled on to Cap Ferret where, inevitably, we had just missed the hourly ferry. We bought our tickets and hung around, expecting a reasonably substantial boat. Imagine the horror when we saw the ferry from the other side approach with bikes on the top of what was just a jumped up lifeboat. Rather worried about the safety of our precious machines, we were relieved to discover that we could put them with the passengers - we even got seats beside them! (Picture below)

Over the other side we found another off-road cycle path, which took us practically to the hotel. The whole day was hillier than expected, presumably because we were travelling through the sand dune national parks, complete with lots of trees which gave us plenty of shade - although the day got progressively cloudier as it went on. On the last 10 mile section we had to negotiate a few 10% sections of track and as I headed up I spotted a young man ahead on a top of the range mountain bike. Near the top of the hill he was definitely struggling and I sailed past him on the fully laden touring bike while (for the cyclists among you) still in the middle ring of my triple. He was not amused and raced past me on the downhill, only for me to overtake again on the next uphill

We are in an interesting hotel tonight, I use the word advisedly! We have the smallest shower in the history of the universe, with a jet so powerful that it blows the shower doors open (they don't quite fit properly). By attempting to make sure the shower wasn't stone cold when I got in I managed to flood the bathroom, and then once established in the shower, you only had to turn round and you knocked the water off.  Happy days!  Anyway we are trying to move carefully around each other as there isn't much space. Good meal tonight in 'Le Pub' narrowly missing the night of 'Irish' fiddle music. There is some strange happening going on in the square opposite (beside the 'Boulodrome - Chris Hoy eat your heart out!) with lots of ethnic music and cheap tat on sale. We thought it was about to rain so we only had a quick look, but that was more than enough. 

Photos today include our ride through the forest, an idyllic lunch spot, our ferry trip and a giant sand dune