Day 9 - Beaugency to Mosnes

Riding with Maureen is truly magical. I wouldn't ever have had experiences like this tour of France or our Rhine River extravaganzalast fall, if not for her. 

I'd happily follow Mo & Kate to the end of the world, and I'd enjoy every minute of the ride!

Today dawned gray, but perfect for cycling. We left our campground in Beaugency and rode atop a levee along the Loire foruch of the morning. 

It was very pastoral. 

Including this lovely Percheron, a mighty workhorse that reminded me  a Clydesdale. 

Bloise was our midpoint, and we crossed the Loire yet again on the lovely Pont Jacques Gabriel, which was built in 1724.

We came across another rowing club in Bloise, and I loved the images they had on the doors to their boat bays. 

On our way to Mosnes (which we refer to as Mo's nez, or Mo's nose), we encountered a hot air balloon that had just landed. 

It was great to see them fighting to stuff the balloon into a stuff sack, just like we stuff our sleeping bags every morning. 

We also encountered our first vineyard of the trip, which will warm the hearts of all the Californians reading this blog. Don't ask about the climb to get to the vineyard...

And, to top off yet another perfect day, we are overnighting at Camping la Poterie, the nicest campground to date!

Here's the view from our campgrounds:

And this is where we are sitting,

...enjoying a local, très Insouciant, Sauvignon Blanc. 

Life doesn't get any better!