Tuesday 29th May Aiguillon (11) to Moissac. (12)
51.4 miles 4hrs 27m riding time. Average speed: 11.5mph Total: 559 miles.
The day started off dry and cool with just a gentle breeze which lifted
my spirits tremendously. I took to the D642 but on reaching the first canal
crossing at Buzet-sur-Baise I noticed that the canal towpath still had a
brand new surface so I went for the easy option and took that instead as
it looked as if I would otherwise real navigational hassles in front of
me to avoid using the busy N113 to Agen.
The Canal Latéral crosses the river Garonne just outside Agen on
a massive 539 metre- long stone aqueduct dating, I believe, from 1839. As
I traversed its 23 stone arches heading into the town, the river Garonne
flowing below was a wide boiling torrent of muddy brown floodwater. I continued
with the lazy navigational option of following the canal, passing close
by the confluence of the river Tarn with the already swollen Garonne at
the approach to Moissac.
The morning promise of sunshine never materialised. I took advantage of
the cold but dry day to do some much needed cleaning and oiling maintenance
on my bike. It was filthy dirty and the chain and gear linkages had been
completely washed dry of all lubricants.
It was mid-afternoon when I booked into my hotel, the Hôtel Restaurant
Le Pont Napoléon – very nice with spacious airy rooms. As the
central heating radiators were turned on it was an ideal opportunity to
wash my kit then dry it on my elastic washing line which I had stretched
across the bathroom between the shower head and the radiator.
Moissac is famous for its Abbaye Saint-Pierre; the cloisters are particularly
renowned and it’s on the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela
in Northern Spain.
The rest of the town is frankly, a bit scruffy, with the notable exception
of
River Baise during France’s driest summer in living memory…
the Moulin de Moissac which is an enormous mill on the banks of the river
Tarn which has now been converted into a luxury hotel.
I’m eating in my hotel’s restaurant tonight which has a reputation
for gourmet food – I’m treating myself after all the bad weather
and Sunday night’s mealtime debacle.
So… a huge slice of foie gras with onion and cherry relish for entrée,
corn fed chicken breast stuffed with tarragon and nuts (pistachio perhaps?)
for main course – wonderful!
.
My bum now has a passing resemblance to raw liver – thank God for
the Savlon!
http://www.le-pont-napoleon.com