Yelloh! Village Camping Bordeaux Lac (Yet again!)

Essential items for us in Marge are, baby wipes, kitchen roll and a hand brush. This morning after some rigorous brushing the handle snapped on the hand brush. Panic! Fortunately even the smallest supermarket in France sells almost everything, so when we stopped for shopping a replacement was purchased. Disaster averted. And for the record, the countdown to Christmas, or as fans of Mariah Carey's Christmas song say, the countdown to Mariah, has begun. Chocolate Santa's and Christmas tree decorations have hit the shelves here. The handle snapping on the brush though seemed just a small problem compared to those of Marge. John is beginning to think her head gasket may be damaged. So all hopes of swanning off into the Loire region on our return journey are now off the agenda. Angela wasn't happy. That's flamingos, the Loire and probably a return visit to the Ile de Re all cancelled. Thanks Marge! The weather forecast was also not looking too great for Thursday, so sadly we decided to once again leave the coast and head back into Bordeaux. This would be our fourteenth night at camping Yelloh Village. It was beginning to feel like a second home. Not really a problem though, we can think of worse places to. For Angela, staying at Bordeaux feels like being being wrapped in a large comfort blanket.

Late afternoon the weather settled, we left the maintenance men to figure out why one of their golf buggy's stopped abruptly right behind Marge, and we took the bus and tram into the city. Each time we visit Bordeaux Angela wishes we could see the waterfront lit up at night. Tonight would be that night. By seven o' clock the streets were bustling, the city well and truly alive. We ate once again at the little Thai street food cafe. And as before the meal was delicious. All around us we could hear the the accents of a variety of nationalities. We loved the vibe, the chaos, the surroundings. A film crew were present, filming we thought a period drama, as piles of rubber tiled matting to cover modern tarmacked roads and paved footpaths were stacked all around.

Also a dozen old carriages could be seen around the area. As night fell the waterfront did not disappoint. It delivered! The coloured lighting that lined the promenade was stunning, as was the water fountain with the moon high in the inky blue night sky behind.

Angela felt quite emotional. She'd waited along time to see these sights. Back at the tram stop there is a very large area beside the fountain where most of the year events are held.

At the moment at huge fair, the size we've never seen the like of. Brightly coloured lights and the sickly sweet aroma of sugary sweets played with our senses. What a contrast with the beautiful architecture in the background. Bordeaux at night had captured us, and we had to tear ourselves away, not wanting to board a tram back too late.

We knew we had already missed the last bus at nine from the tram stop to the campsite, but we weren't too unhappy about taking the twenty minute walk we'd have to make. Retiring to bed at midnight, we were tired and our feet sore. But happy. It had been a lovely evening. Dirty stop outs! Be quiet Marge. Enough from you. Don't you think we deserved some respite?