La Gacilly, Morbihan, Brittany

Today was going to be a better day than yesterday. Yesterday evening, after some research, we decided to continue with our journey along the canal. Angela had earmarked La Gacilly, a pretty little town of old houses and flowered decorated streets as a must see.

Between June and September an open air photographic festival takes over the town, a town which has over thirty craft people operating from small galleries and workshops. Arriving mid morning, we were surprised and pleased to see a large parking area for vans close to the town, and decided even though we hadn't travelled far we would stay here tonight. Whilst it was still comfortable to walk around, we took a look at some of the photographs.

Photograph labelled "Andrew and Imogen share a meal in a Wetherspoons pub in Peterlee, County Durham. This chain of pubs offers beer and food at low prices. It is a meeting point for many families suffering financial hardship"!

The 'So British' exhibition seemed to portray much of the worst of Britain, and we were unhappy at how our country came across to the French who were laughing at how we were depicted,  though to be honest most nationalities think we are very stupid tohavevoted for Brexit. One o'clock, beaten by the heat, we decided to seek shade in a nearby restaurant.

John looking a bit frazzled by the heat!

Lunch in a restaurant is something we rarely do, so it was a real treat. Angela loves Moules Marinieres, and hasn't had this particular meal in France for some years. Being off the coast, restaurant prices here are a little less expensive. And as local people were eating at our chosen restaurant, we knew it would be good. Full as an egg, we stepped out onto the hot pavement resigned to sitting out the heat of the afternoon in the shade by the van. But as full as we were, we couldn't resist the lure of an ice cream. John exchanged banter with the lady server, 'just one boule in a cornet please, wifey say only allowed one boule. But I know French people always have three boules!'. France hasn't been too good for John's diet, too much nice tempting food, and with the intense heat it has cut down our daily exercise. At six thirty this evening, the temperature was still 83f, and we still had the rest of the town and photographic festival to see. But we must be aware and conscious of our surroundings, and know at the moment it is just too dangerous to venture out. Glass of wine in the shade it is then Margery.

Later in the evening we set off around the village to look at some more of the outdoor exhibitions, and to see some of the quirky shops.

Fegreac, Loire-Atlantique

Who knew chickens loved curry? Well the ones at our campsite last night certainly did. As darkness fell, the chickens left us and the two little black sheep began calling to each other. John named one of them lamb chop, Angela didn't think that was fair, perhaps mint and sauce would have suited them better. Today we were looking forward to driving to Nort Sur Erdre. But some days just don't go to plan do they? We were supposed to be following a route from a well known travel writers book.

But after a walk around the town we discovered the aire mentioned in it didn't seem to exist, and the next few park ups we stopped at just weren't for us. Feeling a little upset at having wasted one of our precious days, and disappointed that our planned drive along the Nantes-Brest canal might not be as enjoyable as we'd hoped, we eventually found an aire in a small village a few miles off the canal. 

We cycled in this area ten years ago, and remember a little campsite with about ten pitches, and one loo and shower right beside the canal. Sadly it closed recently. Whilst walking in the nearby town, a mix of very nice and neglected buildings, we saw a sign for the campsite. It brought back happy memories. Angela's lasting memory of the campsite were an elderly French couple in a small caravan. They were browned to a crisp, and wouldn't have looked out of place in an Ambre Solair advert. She wore a tiny bikini, and he a an even tinier pair of budgie smugglers. Sadly they are probably no longer with us. As for the swimwear, probably on Vinted! So tomorrow we need to make a plan. Do we continue along the canal route, or stay alongside the canal for a few days and then head to the coast. In the meantime, we might just take a look on Vinted. It seems you're never too old for a bikini and speedos!

Angela sizing up a new acquisition for her property portfolio? :-)

La Tessoualle, Maine-et-Loire

The night passed quietly, the forecast storm deciding not to make an appearance. So this morning dawned dry, and considerably cooler, the temperature right down on yesterday, it felt a little chilly. Keen to be on our way to begin the next stage of our trip, we were gone by nine thirty. Our drive to a campsite just a couple of hours away, took us across beautiful countryside.

Sunflowers as far as the eye could see, stood to attention in the sunlight, and fields of corn, awaited the arrival of the combined harvester. This was summer in the countrysides at its best. By lunchtime we'd parked Margery in a beautiful spot on the campsite, with views across to water. Four chickens and a couple of sheep fell upon us, hoping we'd share a taste morsel with them. And of course when we did, they pestered us all afternoon.

(Note the skull & cross bone collar!)

The small campsite has a small restaurant and bar, and is particularly popular with the locals. We like it here, and are glad we are now moving inland where campsites and Aires should be quieter. The French love the coast, particularly on a weekend, and we're happy for them to be there. This trip we've really slowed down, and we like it. Our onward travels will take us a long the Nantes to Brest canal, through the forest at Huelgoat, and along the north coast of Brittany. Sadly we only have two weeks of travelling left, so Margery, there probably won't be too many rest stops from now on.

The campsite Guinguette is very popular 

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.