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Published: September 2nd 2007
The team
Brilliant trip!A place has almost a shyness of a person, with strangers, and its secret is not to be surprised by too direct interrogation.
Pain au chocolat, chateau’s, beautiful countryside, great fellowship and new friends would sum up the past week in france. About 30 of us headed out to the Loire valley, France, with Oakhall Expeditions for a camping / cycling holiday. It was really special to start each day with a group prayer meeting, and then end the day with praise and worship and a helpful bible talk - followed of course by fun activities such as bike Olympics, volleyball and mufia.
The weather was so good to us, apart from one day, which happened to fall on the 50 mile bike ride. So all but 4 people stayed warm and dry in the marquee, making our way through the Songs of praise worship book, playing mufia and keeping ourselves well topped up on hot chocolate and biscuits. When the sun did come out, we enjoyed a nice afternoon cycle into Blois along the Loire River.
During the day, we rode to 4 magnificent chateau’s - Chamborn, Cheverny, Blois and Chateau du loire - the repunzel castle!
Forwards or backwards
Nice german guy offered me a lift on his home made contraption... what a thrill! Cycling was along quiet country lanes, forest tracks and through quaint little villages. Many appeared completely deserted as there was very little sign of life! Even 3 out of 4 boulangeries were closed, much to our dismay! But we did still manage loads of chocolate crepes, ice creams and pain au chocolat - the famous chocolate croissant - clearly a theme emerging! All the summer flowers were out, including thousands of sunflowers, and beautiful purple somethings! The more I study nature, the more amazed I am at the creator
We had one day off, during which time we went to visit paris…. Photo’s to come!
To create an opportunity for everyone to get the most out of the cycling, there was the “coffee and cake group” who would leave first in the morning, then the intermediate group, who would leave 15 minutes later, and then finally “team extreme”… This wasn’t really an extreme bunch, so we renamed ourselves, the Spice girls! This seemed more fitting - check out the photo’s to see who was who!
By the time we left the valley, it felt as though we’d known each other for years. Not only was it a
Team extreme
Day 1 - lizzie, alice, me, grayham, Johnny, Adam and daniel! great time out on the bikes in the south of france, but it was so special to fellowship and share with other believers. No matter what country we were from, we were all united in Spirit …. So love meeting other brothers and sisters!
Having now experienced Oakhall adventures, I’m really looking forward to joining the team. Unfortunately its too late in the season to be able to go out on a trip as part of the season, but I think it will at least be good to be living amongst other believers.
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. For the Lord knows the plans he has for us - plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future.
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