After a mentally tiring day yesterday, I slept really well. It's a Sunday, when people are returning from the countryside to the cities, so the roads are crowded. The views are mundane as we roll towards Aix-en-Provence. 

I keep pushing the pedals, and before long, I'm in Aix. Getting into the city is a bear, but before long, I'm winding through the Sunday markets, the families with strollers, and the tour groups stopped in front of the monuments. 

This feels like the quintessential ritzy Provençal town. Sun-drenched pastel buildings, wicker chairs and cafe tables arranged out on in the square, huge trees providing canopy and gently rustling in the wind, the odd angles and corners that exist in old cities. 

Tamara and I arrive at the hotel at the exact same time. Oh yes, we're definitely back in a city, because the check-in clerk addresses me in English. The dining options have expanded -- Indian, Turkish, sushi, and even bubble tea. 

To celebrate the end of our tour, we take apéro in the square. A coca for me, wine and pastis for Tamara. We have oysters. 

We share a pulpo tartare appetizer. Then we tuck into our mains, lamb for Tamara and duck for me. A great end to a great tour. 

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This is the first time I've toured with someone else. Tamara is a motivating, energetic, and generous touring partner. She carried a lot of the planning and linguistic load, and I was happy to follow. So, a big thank you to Tamara! It was a gamble for both of us to go from crossing paths for one evening in Japan, to going on tour together for ten days, but I think it went really well all things considered.