Bordeaux to Nimes on a bicycle Day 11 to Nimes

Cap d’Agde to Nimes Airport (Garons) - 130 kms

Sunrise over the Mediterranean
I settled on Nimes to Luton with RyanAir. I asked the Hotel Manager ‘how far to Nimes’. About 75 kms he said. No problem, lets book it. Now this man was a keen golfer he is supposed to be able to count, putting in an incorrect card just isn’t tolerated. It was in fact 130 kms! Despite the mathematical incapacity, the Hotel was very helpful and booked and checked me in for RyanAir and printed my Boarding Card. Not an easy process.
Flamingos unruffled
All night I could hear a terrific wind getting up. I don’t know if it was the Scirocco but it came from the south and was warm and humid. The Hotel forecast rain. Set out at first light and headed back to Agde. Was soon lost in the one-way system again but eventually started heading east towards Marseillan.. Horrendous wind! Most of the time it was a warm cross-wind as I worked my way around the south of Montpellier and on towards Nimes.
Not quite there yet
Lot of pain- but don't feed the horses
The Chasse was on! In the early morning, the hunters were out amongst the vines and the whistle of the wind in my helmet was punctuated by shotgun blasts. I assume they were trying to shoot wood pigeons. With my grey wind-proof, grey shorts and funny peaked helmet I couldn’t help worrying that I looked just like an over-sized version of their prey!
Bonjour monsieur, ne tirez pas, je suis rostbif! Perhaps not! I pedalled faster. For once, it was nice to get into the towns and villages as the walls gave some respite from the wind. Came across a wonderful Patisserie on the main road near Fabregues, could have stayed there for the rest of the day, working my way along the shelves. Settled on a ham baguette and an apple tarte.
I actually cycled through Montpellier Airport after 70 kms. That’s where I could have picked up an EasyJet flight to Gatwick. It was too expensive on the day I wanted to fly so I needed to carry on yo Nimes.

Today was a dramatic return to the real world in cycling terms, restricted to the hard shoulder, or road edge, and constantly on guard for traffic. Gusting cross-winds meant extra concentration was needed and a firm grip on the bars. Was the canal with its tail wind just a dream?
Anyway, at least it wasn't raining.

Found Nimes Airport OK. Wasn’t sure I was in the right place as it has more names than Prince Charles. Saw it called Nimes Airport, Nimes Arles Camargue Airport and the local signs only describe it as Garons. It looks more military than civil. I expected a sign on the perimeter saying something like Nimes Airport – Gateway to Luton. Very little signage at all. The only flights I saw on the board the following day were to Luton and some equally forsaken airport in Belgium.

Discovered the only available Hotel after misunderstanding some directions. Les Aubins Country Hotel was the most expensive on the trip but I had done enough cycling in the wind and it was very comfortable. The restaurant was closed on Sunday but the chef made me a nice salad.(There is another cheaper hotel in the village but it was closed on this Sunday). There was only one other guest in the Hotel so my bike was stored in the Gym. Wasn't tempted to get on the treadmill! I was asleep in bed by eight. Did I mention it was windy? It was a bit of a challenging day but interesting cycling. I went through some pretty villages and towns and saw Flamingoes.

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