Onzain

Yesterday evening, we all enjoyed a breeze, we thought would never again feel. Until midnight, most of the van owners were sat outside. Unfortunately, the evening was ruined, by half a dozen youngsters sat on the sports area behind us all. Their noise disturbing everyone until one o' clock this morning. Luckily, we had parked Marge on the far side of the parking, so were spared the worst of it.

This morning the start to the day felt a little fresher, but by mid morning the heat had started to build. The other English van left, why anyone would want a van about thirty feet long, larger than a mobile library, we couldn't understand. But for the man driving it, wearing a T-shirt that didn't cover his stomach fully, (the expression we use, is, 'he's wearing Baby Gap clothes'). To him, size obviously mattered, except in his wardrobe. We know how difficult it is to squeeze our Marge into some towns and villages, but at least we have, had the chance to view some wonderful places, which he will never will.

Whilst we discussed our plans for the day, a young chaffinch, pecked around the ground near Marge, looking for a few crumbs, that may have been left by the van owners. We always comment that, it must be a hard life, trying to survive, for a bird.

Late morning, we set off on our bikes along the cycleway to the next town, Beaugency.

Part way there we found a bar, restaurant and stage had been set up in the woods, and was proving popular. It was quite hot, but we hoped we would be cycling among the trees, but it turned out not for long.

Arriving at our destination, we were saddened to see the aire right beside the river was closed. The reason, falling branches from the canopy of the trees overhead. On our return to Marge, we met a family travelling towards us, the mother lagging quite a way behind, with a look on her face that said, "whose idea was this holiday, I hate cycling, why can't I have an electric bike?"

Our cycle out may have been a little ambitious in the heat. Angela's heart was racing on our return. But a sit down, and plenty of water soon settled it. John experienced an uncomfortable feeling later in the day. We think this exceptional heat perhaps deserves more consideration than we are giving it.

After lunch, we walked in the town of Meung-Sur-Loire, visiting the church, always guaranteed to be nice and cool inside. Then onto the chateau. Whilst we were out, we were conscious to try and walk in the shade as much as possible. We had seen on the Internet, that the temperature in France topped 45.9c today. Tomorrow in our area it will be 40c, and then next week dropping into the chilly 30's. So, family at home, enjoy you weather tomorrow, we could to with a temperature here of 31c!

A nice surprise early this evening, a video call from Angela's son Chris, his wife Kirsty, and grandson Elliot. Chris looked a little peaky after his spell in hospital, and is still not at work. It was lovely to see and speak to them, but little Elliot did not seem to recognise us. Must be the orange skin tone we've adopted, we are looking a little like 'oompa loompa's'!

We have only moved a little way along the Loire, originally planning to stay overnight at Blois. But forgetting the size of the town, we opted to move to a quiet aire, alongside the river at Onzain.

On the opposite bank, we can see the chateau Chaumont-Sur-Loire. Outside the entrance to the aire, are a few grapevines, with some excellent metalwork sculptures, depicting the pruning and harvesting, of the grapes. Opposite us, is an allotment, with a white plastic garden chair, we wonder will a lady of ill repute appear? No, just an elderly gentleman with a long hose!

The breeze we enjoyed yesterday evening is long gone. Once again it is hot and sultry. Rather than just one of us, we are both glowing. We were able to afford the luxury of eating our evening meal in the shade of the trees, sat at one of the picnic benches.

Just before our dinner, a man drove in with in his 'open top tourer', an old Jaguar, with his Thai wife sat beside him. He was what we deemed 'as a silly old b'. His car was registered German, but was right hand drive. He'd obviously bought his car from England, and his wife from Thailand! She nimbly alighted from the car, he struggling and puffing to exit his totally unsuitable car for a man of his age!

This evening, whilst typing this blog, the French couple in the van next to us, have turned their television bracket so they can watch the ladies world cup match, France v America outside. which we are fine with, as we can watch it as well through our side window.

We would like the final to be France v England, as we have been in France before when France have played England, and the atmosphere has been fantastic.

Tomorrow, we will move a little further along the river. After travelling so many miles, we are enjoying being back on familiar territory, with no need to rush. The adventure is done, this is the holiday.

(Unfortunately USA knocked out France, we were hoping for an England - France final to watch in a bar two days before we return home).

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!