Meung-Sur-Loire

At ten o'clock last night, the air, slightly more bearable, Angela took a walk out once again over the bridge that straddled the river. The sky above the trees was the palest of pink, from the last light of the setting sun. In the river a lone figure stood, desperate to cool of from the ever persisting heat, scooping the water of river over their body. Upon her return, the Frenchman behind, began spraying the inside of his van enthusiastically with insect repellent, before retiring to bed. We hoped he'd left a window open for a little air.

We awoke to another glorious morning by the river Loire. Three men passed us, in canoes and kayaks, allowing the current of the river to carry their boats along, while they lay in them effortlessly. Mid morning, we left our home for the last two nights. A town where you could buy a three bedroom chalet bungalow for 20,000 euros, and a reasonably new house for 135,00 euros.

At lunchtime, we stopped in the town of Briare, to refill Marge's water tank. Most of the water at the aires along the Loire has to be paid for, but our aires book told us we could obtain some in the car park here for free, so a bonus, as Marge needed nearly a hundred litres.

The car park, was behind the beautiful church, which dominated the town. The church is famed for its mosaics inside and out. Our actual lunch stop was an hour on, where we turned of a main road into a town, knowing we'd be able to park in the shade of the trees by the church. Whilst we ate our salad, a man and his son pulled in opposite us, towing a small caravan. They were obviously from the travelling community. Waiting to meet them were two men, who where looking to buy. After a lot of inspection of the caravan, including rocking it from side to side, the men all shook hands, and the caravan was driven away by the man who'd arrived with it, who we presumed to be, its original owner. Had we just witnessed French Gumtree or Ebay?

Tonight we are staying at the riverside town of Meung-Sur-Loire. Upon our arrival, a military plane flew low over us. All the vans are parked under the shade of the trees in a car park, adjacent to the aire, the aire having no shelter whatsoever. In this extensive heat, we do not think it likely that anyone will take any notice.

The river Loire is a few metres away, and late this afternoon we walked along the bank for a while, feeling blessed by the refreshing breeze meeting us head on. As we walked, we commented on how this end of the Loire was more natural and un-spoilt, unlike further up, where the large chateau's are, and much more touristy.

This morning, John had received a message from his daughter, telling him to swim in a lake or the river, so he discarded his T-shirt, and took to the waters of the river. There was a German family already swimming, who were staying on two nearby traditional Loire river boats. We thought what a lovely holiday that would be, if you wanted to swim, canoe, kayak or walk.

Nearby, a man around forty, was showing his skills paddle boarding through the rapids, we think to impress the two bikini clad young ladies on a nearby bank. And impressive he was, until he fell into the water, after attempting one rapid to many! Shortly after, John, and the German's exited the water.

On the path above them, a sign read Baignade Interdite. No Swimming. John and the Germans, rebels!

Back at Marge, the French couple, in their sixties opposite, wanted to give us some cold bottles of water from their own supply. After politely refusing their kind gesture, we discussed the fact that tomorrow the weather should be slightly less hot. The French lady spoke no English, but in French she said, 'we must make sure we drink plenty of water and lager'. They were about to embark on their fourth can of strong lager between them, lager we knew had a minimum strength of eight percent alcohol. We could see why they offered us their water, why drink that when there's strong lager!

Because of the heat, we've taken to eating quite late a night, so tonight's pasta will be ready around nine o' clock.