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DISTANCE: 70 k/43.5 mi; TIME: 4h 13m; AV: 16.5 kph/10.2 mph; ODO: 1070.8 k
I was up at 7 am and on the road by 8:30. It was quite an easy run into Bordeaux. The chef at the hotel said 50 k and he was not far out! As it was Saturday it was presumably quieter than a weekday. I was disappointed at the city; I found it dirty and run down. They seem to be doing work on several of the churches and cathedral, perhaps hoping to attract more tourists. Prices are certainly higher here, maybe because its supposed to be a holiday area. I had lunch at a cafe-restaurant, “Cafe Français,” opposite one of the cathedrals.PHOTOS: NoneAfter lunch I looked round one of the cathedrals (one of several), but it was not one on my list. I looked for the Office de Tourisme, but, as is often the case, the signs disappeared before I found it. I managed to find St. Martins, but it was shut. There had been a Saturday market and this may have been the reason. I was disappointed as it is supposed to have a chapel dedicated to St. James. I also found St. Croix, reputed to be the only Romanesque church in Bordeaux. If I had been able to get a map of the city, I would have found the churches more easily. I never saw the church of St. Saurin, who has his fete day on my birthday, the 23 October.
At about 3:30 I set out for the Prieuré du Cayac just beyond Gradignan. I spent one and a half hours trying to find the route. Having got to the Prieuré, I found that it had been closed down as a pilgrim refuge. I think that there is a new Gite de Pèlerins as you enter Gradignan. I tried to book into the “Beausoleil,” a three star, but is was closed. Back in Gradignan I managed to get a room at the “Le Chalet Lyrique.” It indicated that it was a two star, but on the card given to me it indicated that it was now a three star (with prices to match). As it was starting to rain, I accepted the room gratefully! I ate in the hotel restaurant. Although the dinner was very good, it turned out to be a very expensive meal.
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