Pomarez

The rain fell relentlessly through the night, and we sympathised with the cycle tourists pitched further up the campsite. Been there, done that, will probably do it again. But despite the rain it is warm, so that's something. At a quarter to midday we were off. It seemed like all the staff at the campsite had known of our dilemma, and they asked, 'are you leaving today', and gave us the thumbs up. A big thank you to the staff at Yelloh camping for being so helpful whilst we waited for a parcel we were beginning to think would never arrive.

Come on Marge, we're outta here! Our onward drive took us across the Landes. A flat terrain that we've always travelled through along the coast. But the forecast today is for yet more heavy rain and strong winds so took a route slightly inland through the pine forests. Blackened tree stumps, a sad reminder of last years forest fires greeted us. The signs of autumn were evident, ferns the colour of bronze and leaves of pale green and yellow all looking sad in the wet conditions. Amongst the pine trees though, a welcome flash of colour. A carpet of pale purple heather looked beautiful in the damp miserable landscape.

At lunchtime we found a lovely lunch spot in the village of Moustey. the local church there is one of many along the 137km Compostela route through the Landes. We wanted to look inside the very old church and were pleased when just after two a priest arrived to unlock the door, so we could take a peak inside. The rain now abated, not for long we felt, we readied to leave just as two silver vans driven by 'men in suits' arrived. A funeral was obviously about to take place. Time to go Marge. Yet more rain fell, and despite it being warm at 20 c we wondered if it would be sunny when we reached 'Viva Espana'. Talk on the campsite at Bordeaux amongst some people was which port would be best to sail back to the U.K. from. Angela wondered if we might be better catching a ferry back from Bilbao in northern Spain to Portsmouth. Yes it's expensive. Yes it takes almost two days. And of course we'd need to pay for a cabin. And yes the crossing might be rough as you sail through the Bay of Biscay. But when you add up the cost of fuel for Marge and her wear and tear, plus the fact France will be cold at the end of October, particularly at night, we felt it might be an idea to consider. We have a flex ticket booked for October 31st from Cherbourg to Poole which we can change or cancel up to four hours before the sailing, so we've time yet to decide.

We are now nearing the lower slopes of the French Pyrenees, and although in France we are now in bull fighting country! The houses with their long sloping roofs nestle the green lush landscape. Not long now Marge, and you'll be in Spain! Unfortunately there's more wet weather to contend with. It looks like it'll be Saturday or even Sunday before it settles. We can't wait. Bring on the shorts weather.