Rochefort, France

Why do people who own large motorhomes with lots of outside lockers feel they must open each of them around eleven at night before retiring to bed? John says, they're probably looking for a bottle of mineral water they bought and can't remember where they stored it. Well that's O.K. then. Angela's hearing is so sensitive she can hear someone cough in the next road at home if our bedroom window is open. Some noise during the night she can tolerate, but loud music and televisions, loud voices and fart cars she can't. Wildlife, however she can, which is good, as last night the black swans and ducks in the pond behind us decided to 'party all night'. But that was fine, to her it was like a lullaby. Strange woman. This morning the rain arrived as promised. We decided it was probably a good idea to just drive a little further today, so we could enjoy the better weather that was due from Sunday. Quaint crumbling cottages that passed us by as we drove through village after village didn't seem so picturesque in the torrential rain. And the charred heads of the sunflowers awaiting decapitation shortly once the weather settled, did nothing to lighten the surroundings. Our destination was Rochefort. The last time we stayed on the campsite there it was mid September. The weather sunny and warm. Today, not so. The ladies in the campsite office remembered us, or rather Marge, and once we were booked on as a car with a tent, which effectively we are it soon became apparent that the sodden pitches available to us were a no go. So John asked if we could have a motorhome pitch as it was so wet. Result. We now have a great pitch right by the entrance.

At four, as forecast the sun beamed with a huge smile and we were able to walk out, visiting Rochefort town centre, where we've never ventured before and now wonder why.

The large church, crumbling before our eyes stood amongst boutiques and cafe bars. A shop selling slippers and shopping trolleys caught Angela's eye. We have noticed the shopping trolley is very popular here, and once the French reach sixty it is a much have item. Angela wondered if slippers and a new shopping trolley were on some peoples Christmas wish list. She'll let you know when she feels old enough to need one!

The evenings are a little cooler now, but not so cool that we couldn't grill Spanish chicken for our evening meal outside. Tomorrow we are returning to the Ile de Re. Don't tell Marge. The last few days she's been behaving, and we think it would be O.K. for us to divert a little off our return route. We really love the island and the weather is now set to be fine for at least four days so we're going for it. On the campsite we can hear a television coming from an awning attached to a French caravan. You do attract them Marge. Bring on the ducks and Swans Angela says.

Rochefort (day 3)

A reminder this morning we are now into Autumn. The air was a little chilled, but once the sun broke through the day soon warmed. We have decided to stay another night at Rochefort. John spoke to the company who supplied the gas struts for our pop up roof, and they have arranged to courier two more out to us at the campsite at Bordeaux where we will arrive on Sunday. Angela isn't too well. She appears to have contracted John's virus.

So at lunchtime we walked up to the transporter bridge and ate lunch, then sat a while reading. The warmth of the sun helped ease Angela's ills.

Then a stop a the supermarket on the way back to Marge to stock us up with food for the weekend. Tomorrow we will head a little south, and stop about halfway between here and Bordeaux.

Rochefort (day 2)

As promised the sun shone brightly today. We had come to Europe in search of it, and hoped we would have many more days of fine weather ahead of us.

The French love Marge. she's a real conversation starter. The man pitched across from us waves at us everyday, and looks adoringly at Marge. Perhaps it's because Angela told him she was worth fifty euros and not fifty thousand euros. Numbers in French are not her strong point once she gets above forty. She persists with her French conversation though, and  seems to make most people here understand her. Or perhaps they're just being kind to the crazy English lady who wears Christmas socks in September. Each evening the cyclists arrive. This evening one of them speaks perfect English. The man he is travelling with thinks nothing of baring all, dropping his trousers and underwear whilst standing outside his tent. We have spent a quiet relaxing date here at Rochefort.

Visiting the Arsenal in the town and just generally mooching around. The day was topped off by an excellent meal cooked outside on the grill.

Rochefort

This morning didn't start well. Light drizzly rain meant we had to breakfast inside, which is always a little challenging. Then, when John pulled the roof down one of the longer gas struts bent.

Come on. This isn't fair! It's going to be one of those days is it? Our next stop was Rochefort, about an hour away. We know the campsite there is always busy, but Marge being a car with a tent on top and not a campervan or motorhome, meant we should access the site easily. No. The site was full to camper vans. So when the reception opened at two o' clock Angela was first in the queue. Sorry, no space. But we are a car with a tent and do not require a electrical hook up, Angela explained. She showed a picture of Marge, and the young lady seemed to warm to us a little. John took her outside to show her our vehicle. We really need to stay her a couple of nights, Angela exclaimed. Our vehicle needs attention. We were in.  Thankfully, the day had improved. We have stayed at the campsite at Rochefort many, many times whilst cycling.

Early evening as the cyclists began to arrive we felt a little pang of jealousy. Two male cyclists pitched across from us are cycling from St. Malo to Bilbao. One is from Blandford, near to where we live in Poole. John helped him resolve a problem with his tent. By now time was getting on and we decided to heat up a tin of chilli for dinner. Whilst eating, a couple from Australia stopped to talk. They were much travelled, and we enjoyed hearing about their trips. Tomorrow we will sort out a temporary fix for our pop up roof, and spend the rest of the day  catching up on washing and relaxing. The weather forecast is looking good for the next ten days and we are looking forward to the wall to wall sunshine it promises.