Nevers is a lovely city. Last evening we explored it and the magnificent cathedral then sat in the square and had a very nice salad. Really it is too hot o eat anything much heavier. We slept with our window open and were rather suprised that during the night we weren't joined by one of the many cats. When we woke they were in full strength on the terrace outside our window all looking well fed and contented . Then it was breakfast and away for another early start. At 7.30 the streets of Nevers were busy but we were soon on the cycle route. Around 80% of today's ride was on dedicate cycle trails all with wonderfully smother surfaces so it made things easy.

At first we had a long ride along the Canal Lateral de la Loire until we came to one of those magnificent feats of engineering a bridge that carries it over the Allier River. There we left the canal temporally and followed small roads until we reached the charming smal village of Bec d'Allier - which in a strange way reminded me of a small English sea side village. I had thought that after we left Nevers there would be many more cycle tourists ad I was certainly right. When we stopped at the Port de Marseille les-Aubigny ( some what smaller than the other Marseille) for a cup of very important other cyclists were also pouring in.

Further along across the river on its 16th century bridge was a the ancient city of Charity-sur-Loire with its impressive spires. It's strange name is thought to be derived from the generosity that ancient pilgrims received on their way to Santiago de Compostela. It is a pity we didn't cross the bridge an visit it but today because for us the route was longer we had decided NO side trips as they had nearly been our downfall yesterday . Then it was on and on until we saw Sancerre siting up on its hill 150m above the Loire. This is an important wine town but the climbing involve is punishing so we had decided to stay at St Satur