No sprint finish

Our objective today was Cordes sur Ciel. We knew we were in for a steep finish, but it was the hills in between that concerned us.

The first started literally outside our hotel door, and went up for 5 k. Half way up we realised we were on the wrong hill. This was a bad thing.

We felt we could rejoin our route and pressed on. When we summitted we were back on route and the slight detour had probably eased our ascent.  This was a good thing.

We then immediately started a long descent, shooting down to the River Lot. Though the descent was thrilling (aka terrifying ) we soon lost all our hard won height. And after 12k we were climbing steeply again. This was unquestionably a bad thing.

The day went on in that way. Techically we were crossing a dissected plateau with the Rivers Cele, Lot, Averyon, Viaun cutting deep valleys into the landscape.

On the tops there were flat sections where you could boule along, and the scenery was fine.

We stopped for lunch at Villefranche, a stunning medieval town with a fabulous market. Over a sandwich on a park bench we fell into conversation with an Australian who was doing a short tour. She had had the worst of the weather  having started a week ago, and was about to set off back to family in England. She told us about a worldwide touring forum\club - "warm showers" by name. Families could register and offer support of various kinds to tourers - the minimum being a shower.

We were slightly dreading the climb out of St Martin. Its three hair pin bends were so tight on the inside as to feel about 30%. But we got up it, Philip in better state than me.

Interesting that our memories of that climb somehow blotted out the other few climbs between us and the final climb up to Cordes.

We are camping tonight in balmy weather. From experiencing english weather over the last few days, we are now bang in Midi type weather. Hard to adjust, but lovely now as the heat of the day eases.

We will however have to cycle up the hill to eat!