This morning, I was up with the lark and downstairs by 6:30am; all packed and ready for breakfast at 7:30 as agreed with Dave. I think that Dave's cognac was a drink too far and he had to be woken at 7:30.
We were away by 9am; the plan was to head for St Flour and then cut across some D roads to Genouhiac and then to Aubenas. This started badly the moment we left Meyrueis; the road should have been fine but the warning signs for gravel on the road greeted us withing minutes. And when I say gravel, I mean a generous sprinkling of gravel such that our speed was down to around 15mph.
With a sheer drop to the right; slippery gravel underneath and heavy mist reducing visibility; it really was not fun. A little later, and we arrived at the "N" road heading for St Flour. This was like a revelation as the road was fast, smooth, and had very little traffic. our GTs were in their element. However, my Sat Nav diverted us onto a D road and the fun (not) began again; the "gravel on road" warning signs appears and we were back again to navigating roads which were seriosuly unfit for motocycles. Why oh why the French authorities scatter tons of gravel over their raods is a mystery. The N roads appear to be clear of this affliction.
In St Flour we stopped, had a welcome cafe creme and bought bread, cheeze, salami and tomatoes for lunch; dirt cheap and delicious.
So we continued along the D road with Dave getting more and more frustrated as he had real fears of the bike losing traction comopletely. I stopped and re-routed back to Mende on the N88; Dave's spirits immediately lifted and he lead the way with some seriously spirited riding. So, we came to an understanding; stick to the N roads because the D roads seem to be litteerd with gravel; at least in this part fo France - the north and eastern Auvergne .
We traversed yet another Col which, after a while, become tiring, especially as the temperature was rising above 30C and, within an hour was heading north of 35C. We stopped at the first available pic-nic area which had some shade; this was very welcome.
At this point Dave made an exectutive decision; he said that we would set up camp and find somewhere where we could "chill out". He found a camp site near Vallon Pont D'Arc; still in the Ardeche. We arrived at around 3pm; it was pushing 36C and I was very glad to dismount.
Within 20 minutes I was cooling off in the river Ardeche and shortly, therafter, the tents had been set up and a few cold beers were being downed. Tonight is the World Cup final and we expect quite alot of noise; especially from the Dutch who seem to make up the majority of campers here.
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