I head out of Bugeat following what I thought to be the correct signs. Fortunately, I realise my mistake soon enough as the signs would’ve transported me on a 5km ↪ loop back to Bugeat!

The weather is damp but no real attempt at proper rain 🌂 Ambusson has, as with many small French towns a very amenable municipal campsite. WiFi too. I pitch up as far as I can get from anyone else! The norm!

The following day is comparatively long at 83km’s. Long for me! 🚵 I arrive at a camp ground near Montclucon. It’s compact and crap, so I move on. I’m tired, and it’s getting late in the day. Wild camping opportunities seem slim as I’m near a large town. There’s two other camp sites around. I select the one further out!! Why … I’ve no idea! 

As I start climbing a hill, I’m thinking, this is a duff decision! But I commit myself and I’m rewarded with the most idyllic setting yet for a municipal camp ground. €4.32 💶 The .32 is tourist tax! 

Huriel camp ground was near empty. I enjoyed the place to myself as the only vehicle there couldn’t cross to my side, as it’s a dedicated tent ground. Bliss!

I spend three nights here. Loved it to bits!

I head back east towards Montclucon and join the Allier cycle route bound for Moulins and any pitch before then. I pass a modest hotel on the Canal de Berry 🏞 I was so near to booking in for the night, but it was only 1100 hrs!! It just looked thoroughly pleasant next to the canal. So French!

I settle for a night at the municipal ground at Cosne-d’Allier. It’s also the local football stadium and indoor swimming pool. I pay for my pitch at the swimming pool reception. I seem to be in camp ground mode. It’s so cheap. 

So with that, Moulins was on the cards for a camp ground. But, when I got there; no camping for tents. Only motorhomes … WTF! The next camp ground is at Dompierre-sur-Besre. It’s already 1700 hrs and another 30+kms away. OH well, I’m feeling fresh. I stock up with orange 🍊 fizz (sugar kick) and set to off hook up with the cycle route. I promptly get perplexed navigating out of the large town and joined another route heading north instead of east! I backtrack. Wasted one hour and ultimately find the route heading east. Fortunately, the next 30 km’s was lowgrade-rolling-countryside.

I arrived at the municipal ground after a mammoth 110 km’s (68 miles. Big for me!) thinking it looked shut. It wasn’t … phew! I paid a lowly fee of €6 with WiFi! Then again for another night.