Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. Susan B. Anthony
I like this quote as it reminds us of the role the bicycle played in social change both for women and for general independence and transportation. How else could young people in the late 50s get to the dance. Born in 1820 the American social reformer Susan B. Anthony must have been in her later years when she said this; she died in 1906.
The main attraction in Rocroi (also named Rocroy) are the fortifications which totally surround the town.
Rocroi market square.
No, I haven't got lost.
Châteaux in the Ardennes are unpretentious and many are now used as offices or housing. I think this may be a reflection of the mining and metal working history of the area. The chilled-out Loire was a haunt of Kings and nobleman who had different tastes hence the fairytale castles found there. This Château is in Fumay.
Standard scenery shot.
Two questions. What breed of what farmyard animal? Answers on a postcard or DM me.
Luckily today is bath night for the bike (and me of course though separately) and it alerted me to a slow puncture which, just for puncture repair variety, I repaired without removing the wheel and used the yellow crayon and the chalk stick as part of the process. You'll need to ask your grandparents what these items are used for. There are two camps on puncture repair, one is to apply a patch and re-use the tube, the other is to store the punctured tube and buy another spare in bulk when on offer. Me, I keep applying patches until an attempt to patch goes wrong then call time on the tube. The technique shown below is useful if you left home without the 15mm spanner, 5mm hex key or the special security key required to remove your wheel. The use of a flip-top bin is a good example of the inventiveness you need when touring.