Beaulon

We were pleased we moved to our peaceful overnight stop yesterday. Late evening, four men, in their thirties, arrived to play boules opposite. We were surprised to see them, as most boules players are older men. They played in the area lit by the street light, until eleven o' clock. This morning we chatted to the owner of the Swiss van next to us. He was on the return leg of his trip to Spain and Portugal, along with his dog. He had been away nine weeks so far.

Not long after leaving the aire, we were flung into the manic ring road around Lyon, the road slow and congested. We wonder what the roads must be like in August, when the French, and many other European countries, take their summer holidays.

The day has been long and hot. Last nights disturbed sleep, taking its toll. We stopped to do a little shopping at a couple of places, struggling with the heat, which we know is about to rise to around 40c soon, with the humidity making it feel around 47c.

After discounting three aires, we are now settled by the Canal Lateral a la Loire. It will probably be mosquito hell later, but we don't mind, it is shady under the trees, and there is a breeze drifting down the water. From the nearby, warmed roses, a pleasant scent fills the air, and the evening birdsong, alongside the musical trickle of the water through a gap in the lock gate, is soothing.

Tomorrow, we are planning a day of less driving, as we head to the Loire side, of Nevers. We are monitoring news from home, with regards to Angela's son, who is still in hospital.

A couple shots of the 'Spaceship' building spotted on the waterfront in Lyon

The cows in the field over the hedge behind us.

St. George's D' Esperanche

We left at ten this morning. The roads more level now, Marge bowled along. Sat on the edge of a wheat field we saw a lady, holding a brightly coloured umbrella to shield her from the sun, more likely to attract some custom.

We drove alongside the rivers Rhone. Drome and Ardeche. On the hills above, we're terraces, where grapes, apricots and cherries grew. Arriving at our planned stop in Vienne, we were a little concerned to see some gentlemen with two bbq's set up on the pavement, not a business, just thought it was a good place to cook their Sunday lunch!

Although the Aire was busy, it was in a not very nice area, so we both decided it was a "no", and that we would move onto the next one.

The nice sat nav lady wanting a laugh, directed Marge up a very narrow, steep road. Then she said, "turn left". What! Sorry Marge, this may be uncomfortable. It was, first gear all the way up.

Tonight, we are staying in a very nice, small town.

Behind us, are some allotments, with chickens roaming.

The local people stop by to feed them, greeting us with a cheery, "bonjour".

Today, we have felt tired. The heat and the travelling taking its toll. This afternoon the temperature was 31c. Also, there have been quite a few dramas since we left home, beginning with non payment of rent, by one of our tenants, which has now thankfully been resolved.

This evening, we hear, Angela's son Chris is in hospital after a severe asthma attack, and possible case of pneumonia.

Tomorrow, we will head up towards the Loire, awaiting news from home.

St Restitut

What a glorious morning, this morning, a bright blue sky, showcasing the top of the palm tree that we could see from our bed through Marge's glass sunroof. We could have been in Morocco. Once again it was very warm from early on, the little rain of yesterday evening having done nothing to clear the air.

Today we needed to travel slightly north, to avoid the mountains.

When when we stopped at a supermarket at lunchtime, there was a Westfalia LT31 Sven Hedin parked in front of us. As, you know, Marge is a modern day Westfalia Sven Heddin, registered 2008, this vehicle probably registered around 1990. Thinking it probably belonged to a young German couple, we were surprised to see a couple of around seventy return to it. The LT31 left, and we followed shortly after. Our planned overnight stop, was in the village of Rochegude. As we drove to it, we could see the alps in the distance, the hills around us, mere hillocks. We are retracing our steps back through the Rhone-Alps region, following the Rhone Valley to avoid Marge having to summit any mountains.

Arriving at Rochegude, the aire was not the same as the one shown in the picture in our French Aires book, but we parked the van by the trees and went of to explore the pretty village and chateau, which is now a hotel.

From the chateau viewpoint, you would have been able to see Mount Ventoux, had the trees not obscured it. However, down at the bottom of the village, we could see it, rearing up over the mountains around it. In a garden near the viewpoint, hidden amongst the under growth of a garden were three Rolls Royce cars, one we could see had an English personalised registration plate.

We were fascinated as to how they'd arrived there, and the story attached to them.

Back at Marge, we had a feeling of 'not sure', so decided to move on a little further to the town of St Restitute. It is a city of character, a medieval village.

We visited the church, not one of the best, but it was cool inside which we welcomed, at lunchtime the temperature was 27c. Upon leaving the church, we saw a very elderly gentleman re-positioning his car. After a cheery 'bonsoir', the man began to leave his car, which slowly started to roll forward. All French dialogue abandoned, we both shouted a warning in English to him, at the same time, indicating with our arms, that his handbrake wasn't engaged. The Frenchman just shrugged, 'c'est la vie'. Next to the church, was a stone cross, where a lady was putting out food for the stray cats. We have seen this practice now many times in both Italy and France, but this was the first time we'd actually seen tinned food put out, rather than dried. Sadly, the cats looked in very poor condition, their eyes streaming, they were a really sorry sight.

Returning to Marge, we decided to move her more into the sun so her solar panels would benefit. In the grass on the bank next to us, John spotted yet another giant grasshopper.

Overhead swifts dart busily about in the evening sky, it's funny to think, that wherever we are, Rome, Siena, Catellane, these same birds are carrying on with their busy lives. Nearby to tonight's aire are the Cathedral Caves, we may investigate them before we leave tomorrow.

From the power of the Internet, we are informed (by Clive) that it is 'no knickers' day in England. Please don't tell the Germans!