Day 10 25 Aug ’91 Sunday Périgueux to Monflanquin

A reasonable night’s sleep. Have not slept well since leaving UK. Up at 7am, left at 0830 alongside a Frenchman who was cycling around the Dordogne by himself. I gave him the bad news about the hill to Brantome. Cool morning air brushed us. A rare commodity. Later it reached 36 degrees C. 

Cycled from Perigeux to Monflanquin. Lovely Dordogne countryside. Quiet roads. Lots of climbing all day. Stopped for lunch on the Dordogne. Waded in to cool off. Bliss. Then, on. Searing heat. Dripping. Felt quite overheated by the end of the day. Had 3 pints of orange squash in a café. One was 'on the house'. We were very dehydrated. Hardly peed at all. 

Learning lessons about the amount of cycling completed compared to temperature. Carriage of food, water consumption, what clothes to wear whilst cycling (or not. We had chosen not to wear lycra cycling shorts but cotton cycling pants and , performance after a long, hot day on a bicycle. We arrived at a camp site and put some washing into a machine but forgot to put several items in. At 30 francs a go it was an expensive mistake. 

Our tempers were slightly frayed on arrival. On writing this, it’s 28 degrees C. Can’t seem to cool down. Dan reckons we’re about 4 days from Spain which includes a rest before the Pyrenees. Enjoyed today a lot more because of the interesting surroundings. Beginning to smell southern pines as we cruise towards Spain. 

Dan and I getting on well. Don’t talk a lot due to tiredness when we stop and, also, the heat is stifling. We just sit, stare and drink until we cool off. Then we talk about what we’ve observed, learnt and expect. Eating well but how long will this last? Ate pasta, mackerel in mustard sauce, green pepper, onion, pepper sauce, broccoli soup, tinned coconut cake and tea. 

Dan just reminded me of a town we went through today, La Bugue, and a band that was playing. These French bands all seem to be out of tune. All rather ‘Les Dawson-esque’. Penny is still rushing through my mind. I wish I could have her here now to show her some of these villages and the countryside we are passing through. Tried to get in touch with Simon Ekin today who is in France but having difficulty. Will try and phone tonight.

Distance 105.9 kms Average speed 10.9 kmh Time 9hrs 33