We had a late breakfast in the Chateau due to the late arrival. Afterwards we took a familiarisation ride around Normandy, we found some nice roads to get into the swing of things and to acclimate to riding on the right hand side of the road again.

First thing in the morning after breakfast, we went to a local shop to purchase Champagne to put it in the fridge for later that evening. This was because we went to the coastal town of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to purchase Oysters, we also grabbed a load of lemons and some red wine vinegar and shallots. 

This was so that we could enjoy champagne and oysters on the lawn to finish off the first day in style. This is no ordinary biking holiday, it is about fine wine, fabulous food with fantastic roads and riding. I always carry an oyster shucker with me when I tour, it has become part of my bike’s tool kit. Everytime I come across a place selling oysters, they have to be sampled to compare to everywhere else I’ve ever tried them.