Château Marquis de Vauban, Blaye (day 2)

Our second day at the Château Marquis de Vauban. 

Today with temperatures due to peak at 41c we decided to walk out early, taking the path alongside the river Gironde to the town.

This is the Gironde where the German U Boats would have travelled from the U Boat pens in Bordeaux to the Atlantic during the second world war. We visited those pens in a previous blog.

The route passed through the citadel where a horse jumping event was taking place. With the heat building the horses well groomed coats glistened.

After each horse was ridden around the short course it was hosed down. We thought of the donkeys and horses in Morocco who toiled all day, and were left to graze on bare ground amongst the rubbish. How they would have loved to be cooled down like this.

A river cruise boat sat on its mooring, some of the visitors, mostly Americans had disembarked to take a look around Blaye. The fair is in town, which masked the true identity of the town.

 Coffee and pain chocolates at a popular cafe our Sunday morning treat. But the cost! We'd become used to coffee, tea and pain chocolates in Morocco for less than four pounds, sometimes less. Back at the chateau, after a busy night many of the vans began to drift away. We originally were only staying one night, but with the intense heat, and being in no rush, we thought we should stay for another.

So a lazy afternoon of reading and showering, using our pressurised lifesaver jerry can, before the day crept into evening. It's strange how on days when you do very little, they seem to pass by quickly. A bit like life. Don't spend too much time planning for the future, live for the day. Tomorrow is not guaranteed!

Château Marquis de Vauban, Blaye

However tired you are, one thing is guaranteed during the summer months, and that is you will wake up early, and if you're lucky, some mornings you'll get to witness an absolutely stunning sunrise of vibrant orange, as we did this morning. 

With no need to rush, we are driving less, stopping at familiar places.

By lunchtime we were back at Chateau Marquis de Vauban at Blaye.

Ten pounds a night which includes a free bottle of the estate wine. What's not to like?  And as a bonus some new sculptures have appeared since our last visit.

We are now in Bordeaux country. The countryside green with grapevines as far as the eye can see.

 Arriving at the chateau early we were able to bag a great spot in the shade. We've booked for one night, but already think we'll probably stay another, especially as the temperature tomorrow will be 40c. We also think Marge deserves a rest. The last time we spent two days anywhere was at the end of our visit to Morocco. We've been driving everyday, sometimes for many hours in uncomfortable heat. Time to slow down we think!

Château Marquis de Vauban, Blaye

This morning, time to bid farewell to our neighbours. Even the Frenchman to our right, all belly and Bonnie Tyler, along with other rock ballads he listened to, spoke for the first time. Angela had been awake since five-thirty, just as the sun rose. There's something about the dawn of a new day. Conscious of the bank holiday weekend looming, and knowing we must stop at Aldi to do a shop, we set off just after nine. Angela decided to change our choice of overnight stop so we would be a little nearer to Bordeaux. We'd hoped to do a one night stopover at Bordeaux, but not on a bank holiday. It would be busy and noisy, and the campsite was ten euros a night more expensive than normal. So she decided we'd drive to Blaye, and stay at Chateau du Vauban, where we've stayed twice before. The day hot. Very hot. Marge wasn't phased at all. Did dnt get hot under the collar, just bowled along happily. Some sad, but expected news came through from home as we are lunch at a picnic area. John's auntie Ivy passed away this morning. A sad day. She'll be remembered for living life to the full, always smiling, and her wicked sense of humour.

Arriving at the chateau, despite the site being busy, John bagged Marge a spot under the trees right in front of the chateau. The temperature 94f. Angela waited a while for a drop in temperature before taking a short walk out to the nearby citadel. It was now 91f.

Marge isn't suffering the heat, but we certainly are. Going to strip ourselves and our bedding back to the bare minimum tonight. Goodness knows how hot Spain will be. But we have a lot of water on board just to be sure we stay hydrated. And talking of hydration. The chateau now presents you with a free bottle of very nice wine when you book in. What's not to like, except the Frenchman behind us who loves the sound of his own very loud voice.