Meung-Sur-Loire

At ten o'clock last night, the air, slightly more bearable, Angela took a walk out once again over the bridge that straddled the river. The sky above the trees was the palest of pink, from the last light of the setting sun. In the river a lone figure stood, desperate to cool of from the ever persisting heat, scooping the water of river over their body. Upon her return, the Frenchman behind, began spraying the inside of his van enthusiastically with insect repellent, before retiring to bed. We hoped he'd left a window open for a little air.

We awoke to another glorious morning by the river Loire. Three men passed us, in canoes and kayaks, allowing the current of the river to carry their boats along, while they lay in them effortlessly. Mid morning, we left our home for the last two nights. A town where you could buy a three bedroom chalet bungalow for 20,000 euros, and a reasonably new house for 135,00 euros.

At lunchtime, we stopped in the town of Briare, to refill Marge's water tank. Most of the water at the aires along the Loire has to be paid for, but our aires book told us we could obtain some in the car park here for free, so a bonus, as Marge needed nearly a hundred litres.

The car park, was behind the beautiful church, which dominated the town. The church is famed for its mosaics inside and out. Our actual lunch stop was an hour on, where we turned of a main road into a town, knowing we'd be able to park in the shade of the trees by the church. Whilst we ate our salad, a man and his son pulled in opposite us, towing a small caravan. They were obviously from the travelling community. Waiting to meet them were two men, who where looking to buy. After a lot of inspection of the caravan, including rocking it from side to side, the men all shook hands, and the caravan was driven away by the man who'd arrived with it, who we presumed to be, its original owner. Had we just witnessed French Gumtree or Ebay?

Tonight we are staying at the riverside town of Meung-Sur-Loire. Upon our arrival, a military plane flew low over us. All the vans are parked under the shade of the trees in a car park, adjacent to the aire, the aire having no shelter whatsoever. In this extensive heat, we do not think it likely that anyone will take any notice.

The river Loire is a few metres away, and late this afternoon we walked along the bank for a while, feeling blessed by the refreshing breeze meeting us head on. As we walked, we commented on how this end of the Loire was more natural and un-spoilt, unlike further up, where the large chateau's are, and much more touristy.

This morning, John had received a message from his daughter, telling him to swim in a lake or the river, so he discarded his T-shirt, and took to the waters of the river. There was a German family already swimming, who were staying on two nearby traditional Loire river boats. We thought what a lovely holiday that would be, if you wanted to swim, canoe, kayak or walk.

Nearby, a man around forty, was showing his skills paddle boarding through the rapids, we think to impress the two bikini clad young ladies on a nearby bank. And impressive he was, until he fell into the water, after attempting one rapid to many! Shortly after, John, and the German's exited the water.

On the path above them, a sign read Baignade Interdite. No Swimming. John and the Germans, rebels!

Back at Marge, the French couple, in their sixties opposite, wanted to give us some cold bottles of water from their own supply. After politely refusing their kind gesture, we discussed the fact that tomorrow the weather should be slightly less hot. The French lady spoke no English, but in French she said, 'we must make sure we drink plenty of water and lager'. They were about to embark on their fourth can of strong lager between them, lager we knew had a minimum strength of eight percent alcohol. We could see why they offered us their water, why drink that when there's strong lager!

Because of the heat, we've taken to eating quite late a night, so tonight's pasta will be ready around nine o' clock.

Cosne-Cours-Sur-Loire (Day 2)

Whilst we've been travelling, we've come across, quite a few people of a similar age to ourselves, who have been away a while. The English couple staying next to us last night, left England in April. Last night we watched the sun go down over the river Loire, the last of its orange light, catching the rippling water.

Until late, the occupants of the three vans here sat outside, knowing that to try and sleep in the uncomfortable night air, would be to no avail.

This morning, we awoke already hot, to the beautiful view of the river. Now we are nearing the end of our trip, we can afford to take our time and slow down, so we decided to spend another night here.

The plan this morning was to cycle alongside the Loire to Sancerre, but the heat built quickly, and we decided it would perhaps not be a good idea.

So instead, Angela took a walk over the bridge to take a look at the campsite, then back across to look at an interesting sculpture and nearby gardens. Just before lunch, a well dressed gentleman called on us to discuss Jehovah Witnesses. When we explained we were English, that was no problem, the website offered information in every language. Is there no escaping these people!

After a conversation with a locksmith back in Poole, regarding a problem with a front door lock on one of our properties, we decided to take a walk out to stretch our legs, and purchase some vegetables, for our evening barbecue, and a much needed ice cream.

When we were in Italy the temperature was around 34c, and we never imagined, that by the time we arrived back in France it would rise to be 40+c. At three o' clock this afternoon, the temperature was showing at 42c, so hot, the tarmac was melting.

Tomorrow we will move a little further on, along the Loire, making sure we reach our destination by midday, where hopefully a shady spot will await us.

John gathered up a few twigs, here in France tomato and other fruit boxes normally go onto the BBQ, and charcoal appears to be a very poor second.

Angela got a bit of a surprise when she found this beetle on her glass!

BBQ time is here!

Cosne-Cours-Sur-Loire

Lots of activity at the aire this morning, with the French moving their vans into poll position, as others left. The baker arrived, knowing he would have custom, as we were a little way out of town. Of course the English were of no use to him whatsoever, with their diet of eggs and cereal. What's wrong with eating butter filled products regularly?

Whilst we deny our blood vessels these lovely French delicacies, a couple of the boats, slip their moorings. Overhead a helicopter flies very low, the words out, the English have sneaked onto the aire!

On the way to tonight's stop, we called into a supermarket to buy twenty litres of water. The French housewives, doing the same, buying more than on their usual shop. We wanted to arrive early at tonight's aire, after such a long day yesterday. Whilst tidying up after lunch, Angela realised she had left her credit card, in the card machine at the Decathlon shop we visited yesterday, which was not close by. A hasty call, to England, quelled any anxieties, the card now cancelled, and a new one will be waiting when we return home. But what is it with these security questions they ask you, why can you never remember the answers?

Tonight we are right beside the river Loire at Cosne-Cours-Sur-Loire.

We cycled through here, a few years ago, when cycling the Loire section of Euro Velo 6. The river is in good flow, and as yesterday evening, we have the shade from the trees, and a breeze moving between them. Walking into the town, we were surprised to see both churches were inaccessible, secured by iron gates. Along one of the side streets we came across a printers, stopping to photograph something amusing in the window.

John entered the print shop, wanting to photograph the trusty old Heidelberg platen printing presses.

Just outside, a mayfly was resting in the shade, its gold body making it look like a ladies brooch. Earlier, we'd seen a sparrow, with a mayfly caught in its beak.

Returning from the town, we set up our chairs in the shade. Armed with a selection of leaflets from the tourist office, where we'd enjoyed watching the swifts flying in, and feeding their young in the nests above the doorway, we sat down with a cold lager.

Next to us, the Dutch couple were enjoying snacks with their early evening drink. When the lady appeared, with what looked like two sachets of cheese, on sticks, we wondered if it was Edam or Gouda cheese. Neither, she was holding two lemon ice lollies. "By golly, this lager's good stuff!" At seven o'clock this evening, the temperature was 38c, and even after our showers, we felt uncomfortable.

Later at nine thirty the sun was just starting to set over the river.

The forecast for the Loire, is for thunderstorms later in the week, with the temperatures remaining high.