David (hauler-father): throwing open the curtains on morning three to a big golden sun. No more rain. Yippee. And so many happy smiles on the children’s faces.

Charlotte (mother): the cycling. I could have gone on and on. A perfect way to explore rural France.

Francesca (15): I liked cycling in the rain. And I liked carrying all our things, too (just as well, since Cycling for Softies, unlike most of its competitors, does not transfer luggage).

Madeleine (12): going to different places for the night, rather than going back. I liked the hotel by the lake best (Relais du Gué de Selle).

Jonah (5): eating crisps. The downhill bits. Buying a sword at the castle.

WORST BITS

David: underwhelming scenery, the limited contours being good for the legs but not so pleasing on the eyes. The promised “cycling for gourmets” was not quite as gastronomic as we imagined.

Charlotte: not enough places of interest for me, but that was really because we chose to ride short distances. We would cover more miles next time.

Madeleine: the pâté mum bought for the last picnic. She did not know what the label meant. It said “tête” and had a lump of tongue in it.

Francesca: not going far enough.

Jonah: when I saw a caterpillar being sick.

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