Day 16 - 21

Day 16 Flaujagues - Navarre (48km)
Left the lovely Flaujagues and headed alongthe Dordogne to St Foy (where you last heard from us). Didn'tleave town till late afternoon, and spent it riding through plum orchards, surrounded by the beatuiful fragrance of ripe plums. Managed to find a few strays for our bar bags. We decided to stay in a quiet woods - butmanaged to awaken the wild monster/dog thing that made frightening noises and didn't help us settle in. Not much sleep tonight!

Day 17 Navarre - Lagruere (52km)
Got out of the woods quickly and had our breakfast in Duras. Saw this amazing little hummingbird bug drinking nectar through its long rolled up proboscis from the town's flowers. Amazing little thing. Onwards through Marmonde, and we hit the Canal Lateral. Pleasantly surprised that it has a cycle path along the length of the canal (basically from the west to east of France) and we were happy to say goodbye to roads, traffic, and helmets. No steps, maps or intersections to manage - it was almost restful to ride!

Day 18 Lagruere - Lamagistere (74km)
Beautiful hot day today and we headed off for another day of canal riding. Very cute little 'port' towns are dotted along and make it interesting. Especially when the boulangerie is open!! Met a fellow cycle tourer who invited us to stay in the nature with him (Thmas) and his friend David. Thomas was heading opposite direction to us as he had lost a shoe and was going back to look for it. It was a pleasure and we appreciated seeing how the French do free camping. Turns out we had travelled through Thomas' village a few days earlier - improbable given the size of it - and of France!

Day 19 Lamagistere - StNicolas de la Grave (50km)
We said bye to our new friends and headed off. Stopped for a market a few miles down the way and Charlie blew the days budget on cheese. It was good though. Onwards and we found Thomas' shoe! Charlie thinks we ,ust bemeant to be his friend! Turns out Charlie's lost water bottle has provided a handy place for storing wine. We've been enjoying a bottle most nights of late - I find it makes my bed more comfortable! We did a wild loop today due to a missed bridge, but we survived, and woke up the next day rearing to go after a light day on the road.

Day 20 StNicolas de la Grave - Montricoux (67km)
Went fast today and we enjoyed being off the canal path; although easy, is more fun on the (little roads). We headed up the river Tarn and then the Aveyron. Have started eating a whole rock melon each day as they are on sale everywhere and its really hot. Got to Montricoux early and found a nice place to stay. Looking forward to rest day tomorrow - this one seems to have come around fast.

Day 21 Montricoux - Montricoux (18km)
Although a rest day we headed off to nearby village of Bruniquel - apparently one of the most beautiful of France. It was lovely place to look around, and a nice day to spend the day off even with the 18km. Few cars within the town, and lots of small streets with funny little homes and cafes etc. A large chataeu sits at the top of the town - giving it a bold profile as you climb up the hill to the village. Well worth a visit - especially without panniers!!