Josselin, Morbihan, Brittany

Around ten-thirty last night we decided to move. The thought of the French couple from the van to our right returning late after drinking with friends up by the canal since lunchtime, didn't appeal. So we decamped to the sunny side. The unrelenting heat keeping us up, we sat outside, eventually giving in to our drooping eyelids. Our timing to retire to bed was perfect. From Margery's pop top roof, we must have had the best view in the house to witness the sun's final moments before it bid us farewell.

The glow it emitted enhanced the quills of the popular trees, stunning silhouettes against a glorious satsuma orange sky. Too hot to sleep we took time to settle. But as daytime changed to night-time, slowly shards of bright light appeared to surround a waning crescent moon, its sliver of silver light piercing an inky blue sky. Keen to be able to make progress before once again the heat halted all today's planned activities, we were away early. Our destination a campsite that we stayed on whilst cycling in the area ten years ago. It is a couple of miles out of Josselin, close to the canal and set in beautiful countryside. It's our kind of place. Calming and peaceful. We desperately needed to shower after three long hot sweaty days, and also had washing to attend to. The lady at reception was really welcoming, and she helped Angela practice her French.

With the heat building, we once again thought we'd be holed up with a few other campers and the resident goat, pig and some strange 'tents'.

But Angela was determined we would go out. After waiting until five when we thought the temperature might start to dip from 97f, and an excursion out would be safe, we planned to cycle along the canal to the town. But after Angela walked out to do a 'recee', it was obvious that conditions were too dangerous for walking or cycling. But hey, we had wheels. We had a Margery at our disposal. Although 'it's a bit of a faff' packing her up, it didn't matter. She was our key to freedom. So off we drove into Josellin, where arriving at the town we were greeted by the huge chateau that dominated the canal side.

It's a stunning piece of architecture. Fortunately we were able to walk around the historic centre, the tall half timbered brightly painted medieval buildings casting welcome shade.

A much needed cool alcohol free beer at a bar opposite the church, and then pizzas ordered to take away and eat down by the chateau, we were glad we'd decided to make a break for it. Tomorrow will be July 1st. Where did June go? We haven't travelled too far in that time, but we've seen some wonderful sights, and met some really nice people. With only ten days left until we return home our minds are already full of all the worries and jobs awaiting us with the leaving of tenants, and the concerns of choosing the right new ones. Not wanting to wish our lives away, we'll be glad when it's the end of August and hopefully all will be sorted. Perhaps for now we should heed the words of buddha. 'Do not dwell on the past'. 'Do not dream of the future'. 'Concentrate the mind on the present moment'.

Malestroit, Morbiham, Brittany

 

We'd chosen the wrong spot for Margery at last nights aire. As the sun dropped down behind the trees the temperature dipped a tad. Margery was the last van to feel the golden rays as they slipped away. So today, after a short drive of just over half an hour to Malestroit, we chose our spot with care.

Under the trees on the east side. Of course one of the French vans wanted to be out of the sun also, and parked close.

Too close. Oh well, we had options, worst case, if we had to, we'd move to the sunny side, reluctantly.

 Malestroit is a pretty medieval canal side town with historic streets and half timbered houses. Once again we are suffering in the heat, so walked around the town, stopping for coffee before lunch.

We are now very frustrated that the extreme temperatures are preventing us from exploring as much as we'd like. All we can do is sit, read and people watch, which we've had our fill off. It's easy to sit, and let life happen. But we want to be part of the happening. The aire is busy, not surprisingly because of its location and the fact it's free. As the afternoon slowly slips by, we sit in the dappled shade of the trees. The birds above are busy, calling to each other, hidden from our view.

Nearby, an old Dutch barge, with a bar, has pleasant jazz music playing. We feel a little too relaxed as the music drifts over. Tomorrow we intend 'to shake a leg', and make some memories, we've had enough of sitting!

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.