Walk: 2km; total: 358km
The start of week 8, and we’ve passed the 1,000km ride mark.
After a sleep in and a leisurely breakfast, we were rolling at 9:10am. Still a little early, but we were ready and didn’t want to wait around. The path today was along the Saône and mostly very smooth bitumen, with a few patches of gravel, but still smooth’ish. We rode through corn crops, recently harvested wheat, sunflowers and cows in their pastures. We made several detours off the direct route to visit some small villages; nothing too spectacular but worth the extra kms.
We stopped for mornos on the river near St Albain after visiting a lovely 12th century church. Sadly we couldn’t get inside for a look. Lunch was in Mâcon sitting on a bench overlooking the river and the other side of the city. We watched cyclists and pedestrians go about their day, as we were too early for check in. Although we’d asked for an early check-in of 2pm but it was still only 1pm by the time we had eaten our lunch. So, we eventually made our way into the city to see some of the sights. Ended up at St Paul’s Church where there just happened to be an ice cream shop nearby. An ice cream on the steps of the church followed. By the time we arrived at the hotel it was about 2:15pm.
Our room was ready but the receptionist said that there is usually a €30 surcharge for early check-ins. Wendy replied that she had asked for an early check-in and was not informed of the surcharge. “Oh, just let me check” she said, and after checking “there will be no surcharge today”. Well how about that? We were shown the place for storing our bicycles and then went to our room, #307 at Hotel & Spa Panorama 360, a four star, our second this trip. The room is HUGE. We have a separate sitting area, and a speaker in the bathroom so one can listen to the TV while on the loo! Now that’s what we call living, ha ha. We found the air conditioning control unit but couldn’t find the air outlet. Found out that it has in-floor heating and cooling. You can adjust the temperature by three degrees each way. Anyway, we were advised to close the external shutter and the curtains and soon the room will be cold. At 6pm the floor is cool and the room air is starting to cool a bit. Give us a simple split system aircon any day.
After a wash and watching a bit of the TDF, we went out hunting dinner. We had to visit two different Carrefours to get what we wanted; lucky the two small supermarkets were only 500m apart. We think we may have to dine out tomorrow night and have a pre-dinner drink (with over-inflated prices) as this hotel has a roof top bar that “gives you a 360deg view of Mâcon”.
Back in the room after our short walk, we watched the end of the TDF, that was not very exciting. Dinner was had, then Greg went for another walk to settle his dinner and prevent cabin fever. Nothing too exciting today but we both enjoyed the easy ride and being in a civilised country that caters for us mad cyclists with lovely safe cycling infrastructure. Vive la France; which could do with something positive these days.
Our path first up this morning
Saint Alban’s Church
Almost an obstacle on the path, after a very rough stormy night.
Mornos stop
A very big obstacle on our path, thankfully there was a way around it, only just though
Another river guide post
Local scenery at La Salle, a side trip to chew up some time
What a cute little owl built into a recently renovated wall.
A lovely old bridge that has been recently renovated.
Port de la plaisance de Mâcon, aka the boat harbour
Lunch stop beside the Saône at Mâcon
Ruins of Cathedral Saint Vincent
that is glass in the archway, reflecting other views
Back of St Vincent
Church of St Pierre
How’s this for a tympanum?
Our hotel, which is part of the Telegraph and Postal Service building.
The back of the hotel with our room in the red circle
Room #307, Panorama 360
Complete with TV speaker!
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