June 6 Ifs to Bayeux 46 kms
Before heading out of town to retrace the last 5 kms of yesterday's ride, we called in at a market to buy some fruit. Yesterday's downhill had become today's first uphill - the first of many for the day. Skirted The city of Caen and kept to minor roads all the way to Bayeux. Stopped at the small village of Tourville for coffee at a bar, then bought a baguette and some pastries to eat with our bananas for lunch. Rode a few kms to another small town, Cheux, where we stopped by some old spring-fed covered sunken communal baths to have our lunch. A little further on we stopped in the village of Cristot and went into the old church. In the entrance there were two lovely carved tablets dedicated to the British soldiers who fought for the liberation of Cristot during WWII. Very moving.
Arrived in Bayeux about 3.30. Iain had booked a hotel on the phone, but we were concerned that the cost was 90€ per night, no 63€ as per the brochure. Called in to the information centre and asked them to check it out. Turned out that the only room left was a family room. Cancelled that booking and checked in to La Reine Mathilde in the centre of town.
A wonderful coffee, a walk around town, and a meal at the hotel finished off the day for us - or so we thought. Just about to get into bed when Sue missed her red shoulder bag, containing 100€. Dressed and down to the coffee shop - no luck. Back to the hotel dining room to find it locked for the night. To bed for a somewhat disturbed sleep.