Monday 30.04.2012
Antwerp – Pornic : by train + bicycle
It is possible to take your bike on the train (TGV) (without folding it or putting it in a box). For that you have to check whether the TGV has the symbol for bicycle transport. That is not the case with every TGV train. You can only book a ticket for passenger + bicycle by telephone on the number: 070-797970. We planned our departure from the station in Antwerp-Central with a direct train to Lille. Since April 16, 2012, the train timetable has changed: there is no longer a direct train to Lille. A friendly train conductor informs us that we have to change trains in Kortrijk. However, there are no escalators nor an elevator to change platforms in Kortrijk and the transfer time is short. She sees how much trouble we have with our packed bicycles. Is that women's solidarity? A little later she comes beaming with the good news: the train from Antwerp will arrive on the opposite platform of the one from the train to Lille. Joe, and thank you very much. A great start with so much kindness. We have no problem with the TGV Lille-Nantes, there is plenty of time to change. Another cold shower awaits us in Nantes: the train strike is underway. How do we get into Pornic now? In the end it turns out that a regional train still runs to Pornic. Our bicycles can be taken along without any problems.
In Pornic, the train enters the station and parks itself between several other trains. When we finally have put our bicycle bags back on our bicycles, everyone appears to have disappeared, and the station is completely locked. With high fences all around there is no escaping it. Due to the train strike, all the staff had left early. Fortunately, the conductor still sees us between the bars of the gate. After some phone calls back and forth, he manages to find someone with the keys. After our liberation we jump on our bicycles and pedal as if our lives depend on it. The campsite is about to close when we arrived. Tired but extremely satisfied, I crawl into my tent for the first night.
Overnight: Camping Bon Acceuil Pornic
€ 18.00 3 persons with 3 bicycles and 3 single tents.
Tuesday 01 May 2012
Pornic – Le Mignon 60 km
We start in Pornic and follow the Vélocean (well signposted). It takes us to Saint-Brévin-les-Pins. This is where the cycle route “Eurovélo 6” starts. The campsite in Le Mignon is closed. Fortunately, the toilets are not locked. We decide to pitch our tents here. We cook under a glorious sun on the banks of the Maritime de la basse Loire canal. Nearby I discover a nature center: Quai le vert.. Here we can supply ourselves with water, use luxurious sanitary facilities and drink a delicious hot chocolate. Just before closing time. In the middle of the night we are startled by a deafening noise. I crawl out of my tent and see a factory across the canal, brightly lit and sending gases into the air; So this is where the hellish sound comes from. What a huge difference with the evening before: enjoying a setting sun on a pontoon, surrounded by water birds, peace and quiet.
Wednesday 02 May 2012
Le Mignon – Ancenis (74 km?)
In the morning the sun shines, the beautiful village does not even have a baker. Then we gathered our leftovers together. It is wonderful cycling, beautiful landscapes, peaceful, sweet. Very varied, sometimes along the Loire, sometimes along its side arms, with a crossing in Le Pellerin. The environment of Nantes is less fun, there is a lot of industry. We leave the city of Nantes itself along the other side of the Loire. The first day we had already submerged ourselves in the city: it is a pleasant city that prides itself on having greenery for every resident.
Camping Mauves-sur-Loire could not be found, would not be there anymore. The next campsite in Oudon was closed, passers-by were kind enough to search for the nearest campsite on their iPhones, and give us a call to find out if it was open. The l'Ile Mouchet campsite in Ancenis is large and luxurious. € 17.00
Thursday 03 May 2012
Ancenis – Anger 68 km
Ancenis is a nice town. After a visit to the market and our supplies we leave. Loire has seriously overflowed its banks. It had been raining continuously for the past two weeks, according to the people here. We are startled by a serious snake that comes to heat up on the asphalt of the bicycle path. In St-Florent-le-viel we meet a group of French cyclists. All over 60s who have also been on the road for two days. So there is still a future for us.
We continue cycling under a radiant sun. In Anger, thick clouds gather. We reach the campsite. This campsite even has a meadow for Eurovélo residents. We meet a man who constantly follows the route
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