Friday - Stage 19

(somewhere along the way I have mucked up the Stage numbers. But we are on track again now)

We had hoped to hear from the tour group. At least our names were registered for us to check into the hotel, and there were signs saying what time breakfast was for the tour group, and when the bus was leaving. There was no word at breakfast about the tour group. The bus was leaving at 8.30 so we gathered in the foyer just after 8.
By 8.15 there was still no sign of the tour group. John set off in search of some detail. He found someone with a cycling shirt, introduced himself, and discovered that the buses were leaving from a bus parking area 4 levels below the official reception area. And there was an obscure lift to get to this place.

They also discovered another Aussie on the tour having a similar experience. Not such a great start to the tour from a communications perspective.
But the breakfast was good, and we slept soundly.
John appreciated the fact that he didn’t have to drive, and could relax about whether the bus was going to fit between some small streets.

So we drove off towards Montlucon.

The bus dropped us off 400m from the finish, which was pretty cool.
We then found a spot with 250m to go where we could see the video screen. It was a very excellent afternoon.
We had the usual fun of watching people do bizzare things just to grab some trinkets.
Part of the fun of doing these tours is the variety of people types and persoalities.
Forunately we quickly made a good friend in Barb, another Australian. Narelle, Barb and I all got on pretty well and so we hung out together for the afternoon.

We then were driven to our hotel.

The hotel was actually a golf resort set in the countryside. Narelle loved it!

Dinner that night was a real treat. 5 course menu of french delights. The quality was an unexpected bonus.
We got to meet a few of the others on the tour group over dinner.

We look forward to a night’s sleep in a proper bed.