CTC Cambridge

Sunday 7 June 2026 

Again it rained overnight and we left La Rochelle in threatening weather. After a coffee and pastries in Rochefort we crossed the Charente using the Pont transbordeur, which hauls passengers across river on a large wooden gondola.

The weather remained bleak and very blustery to Royan, where we crossed the Gironde Estuary by ferry.

By the time we reached the other side though the sun had come out and that, with the more exotic pine forest-based vegetation, made it feel like another country.We also got our introductiom to the very long, very straight roads characterisitic of this region, which present challenges even for seasoned Fen riders. When we reached the apartment in Hourtin we were overjoyed to find it had a washing machine. All our whiffy kit and a washing sheet went to work while we went out for supper.