Finally up we ate, packed and prepared to launch after H signed a few more autographs from a pair of Aussie `groupies` (from Orange!) - yes they love it when he wears his green and gold Australian cycling top !
It was easy getting out of Lazerte as we had practiced doing it yesterday even though
we were meant to be going in !
The 22 km ride to Moissac was straightforward although the humidity was high and our 1 climb was bit of a `pussy` after being described in the book as tough - maybe ditching the tents has actually helped !
Moissac though was pretty much a dump, so after a few unintended circuits we were glad to leave heading off to the much quieter and prettier town of St.Nicholas de La Grave with its impressive church.
We took lunch here as H did the rounds of the produce market stands coming back with his usual bucket load of fruit ! Why he has to take laxettes is beyond me !
The route out became fairly undulating across open fields through Auvillar and then the medieval gem called St.Antoine with its ancient pilgrim hospital.
While looking at the Hospital after pulling up about from being about 100 metres in front, Henley came barrelling through the small town off a downhill and despite my yelling kept cycling wondering how id converted a 100 metre lead into an out of sighter in the space of a few seconds !
I raced after him for nearly 1 km finally booming out to him from a long way back HENLEY !!!!
Thinking that God was now talking directly to him Henley finally stopped.... now aware that the voice was in fact the wrath of Litchfield was much more scarier to him !
Having gone back to St. Antoine for a proper look we remarked on how quiet the villages along the Camino seem for this time of the year, a voice echoed by a number of business owners that we have spoken to !
It appears the terrible weather in May has been a contributor but me thinks also that the state of the European economy has not helped either !
Back on the road the clouds were looking ominous. With late thunderstorms predicted we picked up the pace a little going through a series of climbs. On one of them entering Miradoux Kev came close to head butting a semi trailer (imagine the damage to the semi) after the semi rounded the corner pretty close to H. Only a wonderful countersteer protected the Canondale and Henley from becoming road mush !
We finally found our way into the center of Lectoure a 1,000 year old town and our destination for the evening thankfully just beating the rain !
Our hotel Le Bastard(very appropriate) was also frequented by Ross a couple of nights back.
With temperatures now expected to drop and more rain forecast for tommorrow it could be back to the full length gear after a great run of hot days !
PS Henley after putting up with a clicking noise for nearly two weeks despite having supposedly checked everything finally found the culprit today - broken spoke !
And yes after all previous dramas the Avanti is just running fine - touch wood !
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