Word Of Mouse

At Carhaix we followed the tip off we were given in Plymouth and set out to join le canal nantes brest. 360km of off-road cycling - it sounded too good to be true and for a while we thought it was! we followed our noses and regretted forgetting to pack our compass, but soon we were rewarded and we saw the canal glistening in the sun beneath us, and a very smart looking towpath following it closely. Just the small matter of getting old Bramble down a bit of a tricky flight of steps. Finally we were there. Off we set at a pace for at least 500 yards (or should i be doing this all in metric now?). It turned out to be `one of those` afternoons and our progress was continually interrupted by one thing or another - the chain came off, the seats needed adjusting, the readjusting and the chain came off again. you get the picture, but still no punctures and the sun was shining and I for one was enjoying that novelty.

we left the canal and found a campsite for the night and didn`t do an awful lot other than sleep as far as I can remember. Just as well as the next day turned out to be one of those epic days.

We were still hoping to meet with Mike and Hilary at their place in Gomené, but having been unable to get through on the phone, thought we would continue to Rohan and spend another night still within striking distance. We set off and rejoined the canal, leaving it only where it had beco,e a lake and had no towpath, which detour took us to the picturesque town of Mur de Bretange. As we enjoyed our lunch in the park and some rather good patisserie products we were joined by an excited boy with a stick. He was enourmously friendly and told us in great (and rapid detail) about his interest in birds. I`m quite sure I didn`t catch everything he was saying, but one particular detail could not be missed - the decapitated bird. "it was cut off right here at the neck" he said with mixed sadness and glee, and in case we should misunderstand he illustrated pliainly with his finger and full 3d sound.

An adventurous afternoon followed and I managezd to fall off the bike twice, once totally by my own doing and before I`d even got on! The second occasion was also before we had got going, but with malc`s generous assistance. we were glad to stop and get refreshments in Loudeac. We were looking forward even more to stopping at our camp site in Rohan. Arriving to find it closed for another 2 weeks was less than amusing - the next alternative was 20 miles further on in Josselin . still, we bought further supplies and set of, aided greatly by a long smooth section of towpath. I reached a bit of a wobbly moment half way, bur we carried on fine one restored with bread and cheese. The campsite at Josselin was a dream, just as well as we planned to stay two nights .

Our day off was somewhat disturbed as I shall go on to explain, but Malc fixed our domestic duties and (excitingly) our washing actually dried by itself in the sunshine. The rest of teh day was dominated by friend, let's call him Rick. He was un tic, in French though I could hqve thought of vqrious other descriptions. Malc went straight off to camp reception on its discovery to see what could best be done. He was inundated with advice so varied that eventually a doctor was phoned for a clear opinion - this was that it should be drowned in oil. By the time Malc had chivalrously made a tour of teh entire site in quest of oil, I had gained a certain notoriety, but we still had no oil. no problem said teh generous receptionist her father was on the way with some. To cut a long story short old Rick was none too keen to drown, but eventually when we could stand it no more and we were itching to yank him out, we decided to zap him with some tea tree oil. he curled up and died in an instant. Still, he was less than keen to let go and Malc perfomed patient surgery, but still the sod left a bit behind. The instistsnce by all concerned that I MUST see a doctor led us to a pharmacie where they also insisted. Eventually, while I totally wimped out, Malc miraculously fixed this and got me a consultation. The doctor was ver nice and said it looked fine and I needed worry unless I experienced the following syptoms: stiff muscles, aching joints, sore back, general fatigue... (gulp all the symptoms of sitting by day on the back of a tandem and lying by night in a tent). I decided just to watch out for the growing red sores which are also symptomatic of Lyme`s disease, but not to my present knowledge, of cycling!
Just to move on from the tick, we also met fello tandem riders Briqn qnd Helen on a holiday from Guildford. We spent a bit of time compqring Thorn tandem features, but relaxed into much more natural conversation over a drink in a bar. They are kindly offering us a bed on our way home. Given hoe grimey we are already becoming I would forgive thm for retracting the offer when the time comes!

Another campsite quest ended the day and found us completing a 15 mile circuit for reasons it would make me too frustrated to to explain. we collapsed exhausted into food and bed.

2 June: Malcolm here. An update... Rick the Tick duly took his revenge on Ali, who has spent several miserable nights running a high fever. Last night she was off her food, which for anyone who knows the Strakers will be an indication of how bad things were. We are now supplied with a variety of pills and powders in a range of colours. I am happy to say the patient seems to be on the mend, but nevertheless we are staying camped in a hotel on the edge of Redon for the time being.