As we readied for bed last night, we could hear the nearby bull frogs having a late night conversation. In the distance accompanying them, the chatter of cicadas.
Today we are having a relaxing day, unlike yesterday! Whilst we ate our breakfast, we watched a group of walkers checking their rucksacks, walking poles, socks and boots, before eating the traditional banana for energy. Obviously, being in the Alps, there are many walks, and in our guide for the area, it says you should allow ten hours to complete one of them.
This morning, we walked once again into the town, to visit the tourist office, which is housed in an old chapel.
Then purchased a baguette from one of the two bars which sold bread, (unusually, there is no actual bakery in the town).
On the way back to the van, we decided to explore more of the narrow streets, passing by an elderly gentleman, tending his vegetable garden, he seemed unaware of our presence as we photographed him. The scene was a true depiction of France, serene and tranquil.
The temperature during the afternoon soared, so we decided to keep out of the direct heat of the sun, sitting under our sun awning, reading and planning our onward journey. Tomorrow, there is a chance we may run into some rain, so we're trying to keep South for a day or two, before turning northwards. Meanwhile, we must be entertained by our fellow van owners. 'Please don't try and empty your toilet through the waste water grid!' The Dutchman did, and of course it wasn't successful. Yesterday evening, a local man walked through the aire, and made a point of telling us we must not do this, which of course we never would, the Dutch however! You wouldn't believe the antics we see at the service points. Yesterday morning, we waited for absolutely ages, whilst a Frenchman, cleaned and polished his hosepipe, then packed it away in its special box. The German couple next in the queue seething, to be held up for so long. The favourite antic, is the rinsing out of chemical toilets, with water from the drinking water tap, and the most disgusting, the absence of handwashing, after performing this exercise. What is wrong with people? Fortunately, we are wise to these practices, and are always very careful where we fill up our drinking water containers.
At the aire here, the is no drinking water, and you have to walk up to the town to the old Lavoir, to fill your container, from the drinking water fountain. We know, all very quaint.
Mid afternoon, we braved the heat, and walked out alongside the lake, hoping the trees would shade us, and offer some respite from the oppressive warmth.
We spotted two large wild mushrooms on a tree stump, defiantly not the sort you should eat.
Further along the path, we came across the prehistoric village. In the town, there is a prehistoric museum. Two groups of school children were there, one group just having taken part, in an activity involving bows and arrows.
Walking to the top of the lake, we arrived at the hydro-electric power station. On the way up, we'd noticed the water was running faster than yesterday, the reason, water was being released from the dam behind.
Early evening, the clouds form, and then disappear, bringing back the bright sunlight. The humidity appears to be increasing, and we wonder if we may catch one of the thunderstorms, that are active a little further north during the night.
During the day, we saw a cat sheltering from the sun in the coolness of a waste pipe. We think it probably had, had a very good idea. No pipes to hide in for us, just cold beer and wine to cool us!
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