Day 14- Forced Rest Day Niort

Today was not our best day..

We started out with great intentions having woken to a good breakfast provided by the hotel. Then as we were making our way back to our room I took a look in the courtyard where our bikes were stored only to notice that Chris’s bike was not there!!

After speaking to the owners of the hotel we ascertained that someone had broken in to the locked courtyard and had taken the bike....

Christoff who owned the hotel and his wife Sonjon were mortified at this and were extremely helpful. Christoff who works as a policeman was able to take us down to the police station so the appropriate statements were made for insurance purposes. He then ascertained that the bike loss was covered under his policy and was willing to fund the purchase of a new bike for Chris.... A truly wonderful gesture by this generous Frenchman!!!

Then it was off to a bike shop to buy Chris a new bike... Unfortunately the bike Chris wanted was not in stock so we arranged for a loan bike until the new bike is ready in approximately 1 week ( or less if delivery can be organised)

One of the interesting things I learned from this is to understand what gadgets are on the bike so when replacements are required you know 

The other obvious lesson is to have bike locks on your bike even when in what appears safe storage....

It seems that our plans for the next week are going to be some somewhat fluid as we will need to make a trip back to Niort to collect the new bike

With all the coming and going to the police station and the bike shop I seemed to have lost my reading glasses which is a real pain. Fortunately I was able to pick up a pair of cheap glasses from a optical shop which will see me through... pardon the pun!!!

Afraid relook at our schedule we head to the Atlantic coast in the morning and it looks like the weather will be quite warm 

I guess today has been one of a few challenges and we seem to have responded well to them

The other feeling is how extremely lucky we were to have had Christoff and his wife to help us through the day... they were simply grand

Also the bike store was great to lend Chris a good bike for a time at no cost so we could continue on our journey 

Despite feeling a bit flat we look forward to getting on the bikes for the days ahead

At the police station.... Chris with Christoff making the statement 

Chris and Christoff and the bike store staff helping to choose the new bike

The front of the bike store in Niort