Last night all was quiet by eleven. Unexpected for a Friday night close to a town. We had noticed here, as in other areas of France, the police seemed to drive around the town regularly. A lot of the local people seemed to be off North African origin and for some reason congregated near to the small supermarket close to the abbey. The town all settled, we were lulled to sleep by the rumble of the lumbering goods trains that passed by on the nearby railway line. Noise from trains we're fine with. We have a railway line running behind us at home. Fart cars, loud televisions, shouting and talking until the early hours and smoking we despise. Right couple of hard to please moaners aren't we? As we were tidying up after breakfast this morning a Frenchman sauntered over. Ready for some 'ooh la la' Marge? Upon the sight of our English registration plate he beat a hasty retreat. Happens all the time. Don't be offended Marge. It's not you, it's them. We were way by midday after a quick walk into town to look around the market.
As always the fresh fish stall caught our eye. the vibrant pinks of the prawns and langoustines and the variety of glistening bright eyed fish. An elderly couple couple with a table set up with an assortment of ceps, some huge, were happy for us to photograph their foraged haul. As advised we drove Marge slow and steady for about two hours passing field after field of corn cobs undergoing their long awaited harvest. We could only imagine the panic as rodents scurried to safety from the huge rotating blades of the combine. Run fast guys. Above the buzzards flew low.
So here we are at Caumont sur Garonne. Have we visited here before? Of course we have. The first time we stayed on the aire we were in Marge 1. Our VW T4 Topaz campervan. Then the electrical hook up was free. Not so now. And yes we've cycled by two or three times. This afternoon the sun was out. The temperature warm. Not bad for the middle of October. This time last year we were on a campsite further up on the Atlantic coast booking trains to bail out of France and return home because heavy rain was forecast for a week. Let's hope the rain will stay away this year. But the fair weather encourages mosquitoes, and for only the second time this trip we're plagued by them. Big buggers, buzzing in your ears. We can hear them mock us. Citronella doesn't bother us! Angela sprayed it liberally over herself anyway before we walked into the nearby village.
A village with a few houses, a church and a vending machine where you could buy charcuterie. Eight euros will purchase you a beef or pork sausage for the purpose of slicing. This was a new one to us. We've seen fruit and veg, baguette and pizza vending machines before, but never meat. As another day began to draw to a close we took a walk along the canal looking at the fungi. Sadly no ceps. They were probably being readied for a Sunday market nearby. A light breeze ruffled the remaining crisp brown leaves on the trees sending a few down into the slow moving water of the canal. Today has been a good day. Marge was happy, which means we were as well. Our neighbours to the left tonight are, Dutch. A very nice non smoking, book reading, friendly couple. As for the slot to the right of us, it's still empty. Knowing our luck someone will arrive late tonight and slot in next to Marge. Eighteen days until we return to England. Next stop Marge, Bordeaux. We haven't been there for a while have we?
Yes it's a mushroom (Basket Stinkhorn), and no you don't want to eat it....
