Briare

Oh, what another night! Need to stop saying this. At six o'clock this morning, Marge's had leaked onto our bed. The rain during the night had been heavy and the sliding window in her roof, was dripping onto Angela's side. Thanks Marge, not the early morning wake up call we wanted. Life has changed for us dramatically over the last few days.

Four nights ago, we were in the Pyrenees, and the afternoon temperature was 25c, and we were wearing shorts and T-shirts. Now we were starting to wonder if the glorious weather of the last eight weeks had been a dream.

Once again, we set off fairly early this morning, having been re-awoken by the neighbouring church bells ringing for mass at seven o' clock.

The rain had abated, and for the first part of our journey, we were able to enjoy the passing trees of gold and flaming reds, the deer in the ploughed fields, and the doe eyed cows, feeding on lush pasture, unlike the ones in Portugal, who scavenged on barren, arid ground. At lunchtime we stopped at a service area, busy with French families returning home after their half term break. Shortly after, the rain returned with a vengeance, accompanied by gusting winds. We know from contact we had this morning with one of our tenants in Poole, Dorset, that the weather at home is just as bad, if not worse. Despite it being another long days drive, we eventually arrived in the Pays de Loire. Marge, after thousands of miles of travelling deciding to become a 'speed queen', triggering a speed camera in a fifty kilometre per hour zone, doing fifty two kilometres per hour. Angela driving, felt a little aggrieved, the speed sign was barely three feet from the camera, hardly enough time to slow down! After all these weeks of driving below the speed limit, to conserve fuel, annoying other drivers, Marge is probably going to hear from the French Gendarme. Well we'll see what happens.

Once again this evening the rain is back with us, as forecast. Luckily, once John had taken a look at Marge's leak, we were able walk out in to town for just over an hour.

Upon reaching the town square, we realised we had stopped here earlier in the year to fill up Marge's water tank.

It was now dark, but the town was well lit. We went inside the church, hoping for some divine intervention regarding the weather.

Background music was playing that would have been akin to a Chinese restaurant. A little strange.

Next to the aire is an aqueduct, which we cycled over when cycling the Loire valley a few years ago. We feel a little soft now, having Marge to propel us along, and we were going to say keep us dry. Sorry Marge, our cycle camping tent was more reliable, and we have sat in that through some heavy thunderstorms.

We are looking forward to a few relaxing days now after two long days of driving. The weather, although not dry seems a little more promising tomorrow. But for now, please Marge, no more wet bedding!