The McDs made good time back to Chezery from the airport and despite the late hour we sat round to enjoy a cold platter of meats and cheeses, a few glasses of wine and a chat. With M1 committed to the tent for the night, Ann mentally prepared herself for her night in the van - was there a hint of doubt there I wonder? All passed off OK with the McDs up early to present M1 with a very welcome mug of tea in bed. He had spent the most comfortable night of the tour on the airbed - an experience he might well repeat!
After breakfast, the McDs set off for a walk to Le Pont de Diable which took them 4 hours or so. M1 gave them space and elected for a challenging bike ride down the valley to St Germain de Joux, than up the adjacent valley through Echallon, the splendidly named but uninspiring Belleydoux and on to Rochefort near St Claude. Apart from some short seeming runs down at various stages this was some pretty daunting climbing work. Rochefort was at 30 miles and refreshments were called for. A delicious orangina, salad, boule de glace and a cafe later he set off on what he had read from the map as a predominantly downhill stretch to Mijoux at the top of the Valserine valley. Unfortunately, the map had been misread. The twists and turns were so frequent the down arrows were in fact up arrows all the way to Lajoux about 10 miles of hard labour. The route home from Mijoux is predominantly down hill so recovery occurred while descending at an average of about 20mph. 56 miles in all, a terrific ride and good exercise.
Pre-dinner drinks were held at the van before yet another fine meal of Valserine Truite a la Meuniere in the village in good company. I think Ann had enjoyed her first relaxing day.
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