The Grand tour of France in a motorhome 6th September Day eight

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We are supposed to be heading off further south today but a glimmer of hope has us booking another night here. Just outside Amboise, there is a bike shop, Veloland. Also, a Decathlon. We have decided to invest in a proper breathable mesh groundsheet, hence the need for a Decathlon. We also do a L’Clerec stock up on food. I leave the business park with a groundsheet and a ‘man bag’ for my wallet, cameras, keys and penknife. I am fed up of lugging a small rucksac around towns in this heat. Maggie can’t stop laughing!

We wait at Mcdonalds, a coffee stop (and the first really decent coffee we have had in France), for Veloland doesn’t open until 1400.

A young ‘20 something’ in Veloland is pleased to see us. He gets to practise his English. His techy friend tests our battery and confirms what we already know. ‘Dodo’ like, dead, extinct! Non resurrecting! Ever!

No, they don’t stock Bosch 500 powerpacks! There is a six month wait for them. Our new, keen young friend is so sorry that he cannot be of help. We make for the door. I must make a forlorn looking sight, head hung low on chest, shoulders drooped. A commotion behind us. “Wait Monsieur”. They do have a new Bosch 400 Powerpack in stock. It would mean around 20% less range for me but would it be of any use? 605 Euros. The thud I hear…turns out to be Maggie hitting the floor behind me!

As you would expect, the decision is quickly made. Six weeks of non-electric cycling on heavy e-bikes is not a great attractive prospect, is it? The purchase is made. Our young friend is overjoyed as is his boss. Perhaps they all work on commission.

 Now back at Le Moulin Fort, we are charging the new battery and planning our next stage of our journey. We are free-wheeling it here. No hard and fast plans. A vague idea to head down south and then through the Mt Blanc tunnel into Italy and down to Tuscany. No plans. No idea how long it will take. We will just amble down as and when. This is a new way of motorhoming for us. Actually, it is a new way of traveling for us, full stop – NO PLAN!! It is taking some getting used to.

Helpful information:

Distance: 80 miles

Costs: campsite 38 euros; groundsheet 30 euros; e-bike battery – an eye watering 605 euros. New man bag – 20 euros. (In fairness it is waterproof with tough outdoor zips and has a lifetime guarantee! And I like it! Not sure whether I’d carry it down Plymouth city centre though! It will clearly just be a ‘travel’ bag!)