Finally left Touars today, and after 2k of blacktop, hit the riverside paths that charachterised the day. Lots of families with caravans or shacks by the river out Sunday picnicing.

River wide and often covered in floating weed, blown away at parts to give nice generous expanses of water. No bathing signs everywhere, but expect that these get ignored!

Came across the Dolmen de Pierre Levé.A prehistoroc tomb of giant perched stones: at least someone was in France before the romans!

Topsy seems to be doing well in her new bootie and we ended up doing about 17k. Arrived at the Gîte d’Etape in St. Généroux, where the sign said ring for someone to open it. Unfortunately in the River Thourens valley, there is often no signal, and there was none there! A kindly lady opposite kindly made a call, and I had my 4th bed in 5 weeks! I was the only one the and it was good value at 10€.

I was told there was a restaurant over the bridge that had been open at lunchtime. So I wandered over. To get there you crossed this wonderful cobbled bridge, made by the Romans in the 2nd century. Behind it, the golden setting sun illuminated a roman church and the restaurant “le vieux pont” sat very pretty in front. I tried the door but it was ferméd. Then a face appeared: it was the owner and he ended up making me a burger, serving me some beer, and I got chatting to his mother who was visiting. All will appear later on the Audio Diary! Anyway, very hospitable and a place worth revisiting. A good moment.