Day 7 - Lille to Peronne

Left the centre of Lille and headed for the town of Carvin and onwards to a place called Henin-Beaumont. The signs around this town are shocking but the satnav pulled us through and we eventually found the right road to our lunchtime stop in Vitry-en-Artios.

Again the sun was shining and the temperature was heading up a notch to 22c. Not much wind either (I was in front of Phil).

The roads seemed to add a few more gradients to the cycle but nothing that we couldn't cope with. It was more the heat and the sun beating down. Although I had my factor 50 on, plus my helmet with a visor, my forehead always seemed to get red.

By midday we had reached Vitry-en-Artios and headed to the nearest Boulangerie. It doesn't matter was kind of Bagutte you ask for - they all seem to come with egg! Arrrghh!

30 mins later we were on our way again and stopped at a war memorial called Queant. There are soldiers there from not just Britain but Australia and Canada as well. These cemeteries are extremely well kept by the French as a thank you for liberating their country.

As you can see by this point we we flat out on the road to Peronne!

Just about 10 miles from Peronne we stopped at a little Tabac (pub to you and me) and had a wee stella for lubrication. 20 mins later we were on our way again but the hills seemed to get steeper just as we neared the town of Peronne. Legs were beginning to tire as we could see the finish point for the day.

We stopped for a photo outside a castle in the centre of Peronne for a short rest before heading to our B&B for the night at a Campanile. They are very basic - two single beds and a bathroom and that's it - but that's all you need, somewhere to put your head down.

A very short video of Graeme cycling to Peronne on Day 6. (Batterries ran out on video camera!)This was taken between the town of Henin Beaumont and Vitry-en-Artios.