Camping Municipal de Montech, France

Marge's reintroduction to France had been a little chaotic. Wild fires and cycle races, road diversions, mountains and a heatwave. After a quiet night we set off early this morning to Montech, just north of Toulouse.

We are in familiar territory now, with flat terrain, golden fields. Post harvest, and hectares of stunning sunflowers with broad green leaves and bright yellow blooms. We are now following the course of the Canal du Midi. We cycled along the canal many years ago, luckily then the temperatures were not in the high thirties. All afternoon, after a good amount of hand washing was done, we just sat in the shade. At seven thirty, the heat was just bearable for us to walk to the nearby town, buy pizza, and sit by the canal. We want to savour these special moments.

 Yesterday evening Angela booked our return ferry for Monday July 20th, which gives us plenty of time to make our way slowly north, probably taking a route slightly inland to avoid the crowds and more expensive campsites on the coast. For now, all we can do to keep cool is drink. John his non alcoholic lager, Angela orange, beer and wine, because let's be honest, no great stories ever began with someone eating a salad!

Salles sur l'Hers, France

What a fantastic overnight spot last night. It was an aire we'd stayed at many years ago and didn't expect to return to. It's funny how life works out. Today we should have been heading to Carcassonne, but the Tour de France would be setting off from there at lunchtime, so we knew we'd have to change our plans. Nearby to us was the Gorge De Galumus. A deep ravine with a 7th century monastery carved into the rock face. Being so close, we felt we ought to visit, and we were glad we did. It was stunning.

For those a little more adventurous, canyoning was available.

Walking through the gorge and down the steps to the monastery was enough for us.

After a stop at the cafe we began our ascent, following a woman who had tattoos covering both arms and legs. The tattoos on her legs reached all the way to her nether regions. Not a pretty sight when you're following behind! The heat of each day challenges us. Consciously,  we were 'somewhere' in the Pyrenees we thought it best to begin our drive towards the canal du midi. Because of the cycle race roads were closed, and we were diverted all over the place. Google maps wanted us to drive through a tunnel under a railway bridge that was too small for Marge, which was a no go, and all other routes out of the town were blocked. What should we do. Well sit with the French and wait for the Tour de France cyclists along with all the paraphernalia that accompanies them to come by. Despite having to wait almost an hour, when the cyclists passed by in a flash of colour it was amazing.

The French cheered, clapped and shouted bravo. The atmosphere was brilliant, and they welcomed us and Marge with open arms. We've been visiting France for many years now, and never seen the tour. So today was right up there, as one of those special days.

Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, France

Another hot uncomfortable night, but Angela obviously slept as she didn't hear John telling her somehow he could watch the England v Mexico football match on his phone. This morning he was tired! Wonder why? He's not even a big football fan. After a chat with the young German couple next to us who owned a VW T25, we set off back to France.

There are ten wildfires in France at the moment and the largest was in the area we were headed. We filled Marge up with fuel at the border, where Angela was shocked to see the lorry driver paying in front of her had purchased just over £1300 worth of diesel!

At the fuel station Angela's mobile phone set off an alarm warning her of a wildfire nearby, then John's did the same. It was obvious we would need to change our route.

Finding ourselves on the Corbieres wine route which winds its way through the foothills of the Pyrenees, which we realized we'd driven in Marge II we found ourselves heading to an aire at the foot of the Medieval chateau Peyrepertuse. The road up was a little challenging for Angela, especially when we met a rather arrogant young man in his very fancy sports car who thought Marge should drive right along the edge of the road which had a rather severe drop, just so he didn't have to back up. Testing Angela's nerves a little too much, because as you know she suffers from acrophobia, she was on the verge of telling him in no uncertain terms to back up. Obviously John had to in the end, with Angela in full panic mode! Further along at the viewpoint her shorts were soaked, from sweat. It's been 36c here today. We know back at home temperatures are set to rise again.

The aire we are staying at tonight has had a makeover since we were here last. There is just us here, and we can't understand why. The views are fantastic, as the sun dips, it lights the tops of the mountains with a golden glow.

What a beautiful location just to sit, look, enjoy and listen to the Gypsy Kings with the rather noisy cicadas in the trees all around providing percussion. Could someone tell them they're a little out of time!