In awe in Avignon

Day 5 Wed 8th May
Venasques to Monferrier Sur Lez
89.9 miles/144.6kms
748m of ascent
Average speed 17.5mph
Hôtel restaurant HELIOTEL Montpellier
Montferrier sur Lez
Rond point Agropolis 34980 Montferrier sur Lez
Tél. : 04.67.41.54.00 Fax : 04.67.41.54.54
heliotel@heliotel.com www.heliotel.com

The day started with some bad news. Russ's wife Kay (Rob's mother) has been admitted to hospital with a low white cell count and he was on his way home to administer tlc. Rob had arranged everything by the time we arrived for breakfast at 7.30, so Russ was booked on to a mid day TGV to Paris and should have been home by 10pm. Rob was going to drive the van for the day and his Painter Decorator friend Fabien from Luz (a well known and much liked previous participant of these trips) was arriving at Monpellier at 7pm to take over Russ's duties. Sorted.

The cycling was less onerous today with fewer miles (90) and less hills. We spent some quality tourist time in Avignon and Nimes and rekindled some old memories from past holidays. Glorious sunshine and spectacular self important, semi military parades celebrating VE Day enlivened our visits. The Pont and Palais des Papes in Avignon and the Arene in Nimes didn't disappoint and we spent time there. Rob provided the usual fare for lunchtime in a roadside lay by without Russ's fussing or humour but we all agreed that his picnic table layout was superior to his dads.
Roads were quiet and spectacular and the scenery beautiful - gradually evolving in to southern France farmland and vineyards. The Rhone wines gave way to the Côte de Nimes and the wine experts in our group had less to say about them. The pace was relaxed and there was a feeling of being on holiday and having done the most difficult part of our trip, so we took a leisurely trip along a Voie Vert for 20km before a coffee in an historic small town jilt around a Roman Bridge.

The roads closer to Monferrier Sur Luz were complicated and our Garmin led York boys had different opinions about the route. Dave Whiter went his own way several times and although he met up with us again twice, he arrived at the hotel 10 minutes before the rest of us. We depended on Ian Hagyard and Dave Cooks efforts and they led us to the door of the hotel (eventually) with good humour despite questions from the likes of Chris about why Garmins are supplied with no instructions.

An above average hotel tonight with hot showers and masses of great food. Huge buffets of salads for starters and a great range of deserts for afters, with rack of lamb between. I am not sure if this hotel had appreciated just how much hungry cyclists might eat, but I think the tarrif might be adjusted if we come back next year.