Coulon, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (day 2)

So much for a peaceful night, at 4am we were awoken by the distant rumbling of thunder. Angela prefers a storm to be distant rather than overhead. We weren't surprised though at the arrival of a electrical storm after the heat of yesterday, then more rain this morning. 

Today's high temperature is forecast to be 93f, so no doubt we'll be woken during the night again. Keen to be able to explore the area, we were out early this morning.

The visitors to the town had not yet arrived, we were able to enjoy a walk alongside the river Sevre without having to dodge bicycles and people, stopping for coffee at one of the waterside cafes.

The quiet of the morning was also appreciated by the wildlife. A swallowtail butterfly, John's favourite butterfly settled on a large buddleia, happy to pose for photographs.

Crossing the towpath, tiny newborn toads hopped across gravel and through grass making a desperate dash for the cool waters of the river, and on cool stone walls in the town insects took the opportunity for some copulating before lunch. All whilst a large Stork circled overhead. 

But it was hot, very, very hot, and Angela felt a little heady, despite drinking copious amounts of water. So once again we decided to sit tight, and stay at this fantastic site. This evening a welcome breeze awoke the still trees, their swaying and shaking fanning us, but we were still hot. Tomorrow is looking to be cooler, and we will move a little further north and stay on a campsite to take a shower before heading over to Brittany. The highlight of today for us has been watching the wildlife. How can anybody not enjoy this pastime. 

Coulon, Nouvelle-Aquataine

Yesterday evening, as the sun slid towards the horizon, we walked on the beach, as did many other people. It was so warm, what else could we all do? The retreating tide exposed rocks and rock pools, exposing crabs, jelly fish and a handful of sea glass. John likes to be able to collect a minimum of five pieces each time, sadly he could only find four. As the sunlight lit the pebbles before finally dipping below the line of the horizon, it left behind the pink purple vapour trails of planes passing overhead as they flew in and out of nearby La Rochelle airport. We were glad we'd decided to stay another night on the island, and a peaceful, if warm night it was. Up with the lark this morning, we were away by nine. A Lidl stop to stock up on tins of black olives, (which we eat everyday), before driving to Camping Bel Air to return the 'blipper' for the barrier at the entrance. Parking at the nearby aire, leaving Margery with just two other vans, which seemed strange as the island was so busy, we decided to see if we could blag a shower down at the campsite. No, but two euros paid, and they were at our disposal! We couldn't believe it! We'd spent all those days on the site at £17.50 a day, and we could have stayed on the aire for free and paid four euros a day for showers! Sounds liked a good idea, but in this heat we were glad to be able to settle in a shady spot. The aire has very little shade, and lots of sun. No wonder it was quiet. It was early afternoon when we left La Flotte. The pretty little town tried to persuade us to stay, but as much as we'd love to we had to leave, even the donkeys looked sad to see us leave.

A few people had asked us if we'd visited Coulon. No, never. And we don't really no why, as we visit the area around it often. Every year you should try to visit places you've never been before. Good advice, Particularly at our age. France covers a large area, and we know we need to start to visit more of the departments in the North East of the country.

Coulon is in the Marais Poitevin National Regional Park. It is known as the 'Green Venice', as a maze of channels and narrow waterways criss cross the second largest wetland in France. We are now asking ourselves, why have we never been here!