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Sun, sun and sun. Leaving the Loire valley, the hills are getting bigger, and the sun is bringing out the sweat. Rolling fields along the Indre River, and then a landscape of lakes in the Brenne region.

Today I deviated from my planned route to Limoges. I’ve left the Loire valley and the main cycling routes, and my planned route from here on was a bit improvised. And, there were lovely signs here pointing to the Indre River cycle route. A quick look at the map showed that the Indre River was going just in the right direction. So, my route changed. Indre River: here I come.

Well, so I thought. The sign posts lead me on a loop through the hills above the Indre River. It was nice, though. Again, as always, it is beautiful in the morning with the soft light.

Early morning fields

The fields were interspersed with cute old towns.

Old town at Châttilon

I know this is nothing compared to some hot and sunny places I will be passing on my cycle trip to Australia, but, from about 11:00 to about 16:00, the sun is really really bright. The heat and direct sunlight without any shade (I’m passing through fields of wheat, and low shrubs areas), make the sweat flow – often directly into my eyes. Dissolving the sunscreen on the way, my eyes become light sensitive, and so I find myself often stopping in the shade. A solution will be sought before my big trip. Sweatband? Super dark sunglasses?

I am staying in a lovely big camping ground at the southern end of the Brenne National Park region. Lazy me. They asked if I would like to join the communal dinner. Why yes.. 🙂 Cooking equipment has not been moved from my panniers. The communal dinner was ‘gezellig’ (mostly dutch people, and also an english couple there), followed by a fun jump on the trampoline. 🙂