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<\/a>We park in the centre of the pretty but sleepy village (it is a Sunday), next to the WW1 memorial and attractive 12th Century church of Saint-Maclou. \u00a0With bikes off the car and helmets on we ride out of the village and soon find ourelves cycling along a quiet road through a wooded area. \u00a0Despite the Littlest on the back of my bike, the terrain is relatively flat and the cycling easy. \u00a0The Tribe are singing and obviously enjoying themelves. \u00a0Within about 45 minutes we realise that we are on the edge of Scorbe Clairvaux. \u00a0We have gone rather off route. \u00a0And it starts to rain. \u00a0Heavily.<\/p>\n Eventually we take a track between fields and stop to refuel. \u00a0The cheese, tomatoes and baguettes disappear rapidly and high spirits return. \u00a0It’s quite funny really. \u00a0Realising that we are not that far away from Colombier, we continue on and after a very steep and rocky ascent that has all of us off our bikes and pushing, we are soon freewheeling back towards the ancient church. \u00a0Always a great way to finish a ride.<\/p>\n Another day we decide to head to the village of Bonneuil Matours alongside the Vienne. \u00a0It is larger than Colombier and has a square with several tabacs and stores around it. \u00a0We find the car park near the river and unload the bikes again. \u00a0As the previous ride had been pretty easy despite the fact that we had made it much longer than the 17.8km that it should have been we feel confident that this easy ride \u00a0at just over 13km will be a breeze…<\/p>\n 15 minutes after starting this ride, Father of the Tribe nearly has a revolt on his hands. \u00a0The route has taken us off the roads and onto a track through a wood. \u00a0This is not a problem. \u00a0The problem is that the track is rocky, very narrow and very steep. \u00a0I am bringing up the rear and have to get off the bike to push as do the Tribe. \u00a0The Littlest is still sitting in her seat and within seconds there is a jam of bikes and with the steep gradient and the weight of the Littlest, my bike is pulled backwards and we crash over. \u00a0Did I mention the stinging nettles that lined the track?<\/p>\n At the top of the track we stopped on a grass verge next to open farmland for food. \u00a0When in doubt, eat. \u00a0It certainly works with the Tribe when working. \u00a0So, as the Tribe break the delicious freshly baked baguettes and dip the pieces into the slightly melted local butter, Father of the Tribe and I check the maps to see if this tougher than expected terrain continues. \u00a0Satiated, we get back in the saddle and head off again. \u00a0The track comes to an end and we cross a road before entering the Bois Prieur forest. \u00a0Bliss. \u00a0This is perfect family biking – no cars and easy riding. \u00a0The Tribe race ahead laughing, singing and chattering away. \u00a0The Littlest and I try to see if we can find a Gruffalo amongst the trees as we cycle past. \u00a0I reckon that the noise the Tribe make will frighten even the scariest Gruffalo. \u00a0The track narrows and takes us towards the Vienne. We see tantalising glimpses of the river through the trees as we cycle past. \u00a0Everything is so quiet (other than us) and there is barely a soul around.<\/p>\n Without warning, we find ourselves cycling past a small grassy area that leads down to the river. \u00a0Slamming on the breaks we all stop, drop the bikes and pile down to the waters’ edge.<\/p>\n It is glorious. \u00a0The river is running fast here, but it is shallow enough near the bank for the Tribe to paddle. \u00a0Dark, slimy clay squidges through the Littlest’s fists as she takes great delight in picking up handfuls of the stuff from beneath the cold, clear water, her face a picture of innocent delight. \u00a0I lie on the bank in the sunshine and close my eyes. \u00a0This is bliss and wonderfully unexpected. \u00a0It is the site of an old fishing hut and again, mentioned nowhere!<\/p>\n The Tribe finish off the end of our picnic and we continue to make our way along the Vienne’s bank before joining the road again and turning up the hill towards the village of La Chapelle Mouliere, another pretty village, before another freewheel run back into Bonneuil Matours.<\/p>\n Before heading home we stop at the Parc de Cremault where we find a small restaurant and cafe next to a children’s play area. \u00a0The Littlest is off playing as we have a coffee and the rest of the Tribe discover a small, but perfectly formed, manmade beach and swimming area – again we had found no information about it! \u00a0As we return to Chateau de la Motte we make plans to return for a beach day.<\/p>\n Our beach day begins at the busy boulangerie on the square where we have delicious, still warm from the oven, pastries and coffee. \u00a0At the back of the store the baker works tirelessly. \u00a0From here we drive to Parc de Cremault which we find peaceful and empty – perfect!<\/p>\n As I spread out blankets on the beach the Tribe change into their swim gear and before I know it, our Boy has dived in and is swimming out to the inflatable slide. \u00a0Gerald Durrell is not to be outdone and<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>