Cycling from Manosque, France to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, France

Finally, the next morning was blue skies and calm, so warm and with a 14km climb up the D907 to 645m, the layers were coming off quick. The sun was back for sure and, being Sunday, I saw many bikers. At les Grannons I jumped on the N100 and had an easy cruise into Apt, enjoying a sandwich pate at the place. Don't know why, but this Route Nationale was more like a Departmental. There were a lot of clouds to the west, so I didn't waste any time. After Apt, the traffic picked up and I was glad to turn off on the D24 at Lagnes for the short ride up to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. This place was absolutely packed with tourists, all seeming to be following the path up to the source of the deep blue water, a giant spring spewing thousands of gallons a minute. Actually, at the end of the path there wasn't much to see, just a calm blue-green pool under a giant cliff.

No problem finding the hostel in this small village, but it quickly became apparent that there was no heat at all except for a wood stove in the common room. As soon as the sun got low it got really cold. There was nothing to do but walk into the village and splurge for a $25 restaurant meal, some kind of salmon salad in olive oil, fresh trout almandine, creme caramel, plateau de fromage and a bottle of the local rouge. The host had fired up the stove and the leather couch became a good place to relax with the other guests. Much warmer, I piled under 3 blankets with the BBC, not looking forward to the cold water bathroom in the morning. The sky had cleared and there would be frost that night.