Motorhome Parking Area, Mauges-sur-Loire, France

It's always with a tinge of sadness that we leave the little campsite at Monbert. It really is a special place to rest and relax amongst nature. Passing a field of cows as we left, we have to say, of all the cows we've ever seen, we've never seen one with pink horns.

Oh well, anything goes these days. We can't believe how quickly our last week is passing by. The time to return to England will soon be upon us, so we must be sure to enjoy these last few days. Originally we planned to return back to England yesterday, but the ferry cost was a fair bit more than we are paying on Monday, probably because it is the start of the school summer holidays. We don't mind, four more days in France, what's there to complain about. The Loire is a particular favourite area of ours, so we headed to a free park up where we intended to spend the night.

Angela immediately remembered it. As lovely as the town was, it was noisy overnight.

So after a pleasant lunch sat under the plane trees we moved on to a little to a camping area right by the river with views across the bridge to Ingrandes-le-Fresne-sur-Loire a pretty little riverside town, which we walked over to for an ice cream.

Because of the ongoing hot weather the river is devoid of most of its water. In the past we've actually seen sections of the river Loire that have been so dry you could walk right across from one side to the other.

This evening, with a storm threatening, we sat and took in the view. This area holds special memories for us from our cycling days. When travelling was slower and simpler. Life before all our various Marges came into our life, not that we regret owning any of them, they've taken us on some fantastic adventures!

Camping Le Relais des Garennes, Monbert, France (day 2)

After two late nights on the trot we were glad to be spending another night at Angela's favorite French campsite, Camping Relais des Garennes, at Monbert, near Nantes. It's her little piece of paradise. Although the temperature is at least ten centigrade cooler than of late it still feels warm, so we walked out to the small town this morning, purely to get some steps in.

Since our last visit here three years ago there have been some changes, mostly the building of new homes. Our only criticism of the small town is we wish it had a small supermarket, but with an Aldi now an eight minute drive away we can see why it doesn't. We are now on our home run. Marge has been tidied in preparation for all the goodies we want to buy to take home, and Angela has given her hair yet another trim, a little more severe this time. She's been trimming it since we left home, and thinks she's become quite good at it, as from the front it looks alright, from the back, well she'll save that shock for when she returns home. So this evening, still warm but with a fresh breeze we enjoyed our last evening at this wonderful campsite which we are so glad we discovered all those years ago whilst cycling in the area.

When we return, which hopefully won't be in another three years, we will feel like we've returned to our French home. Tomorrow Marge, a short drive to the river Loire. Well we couldn't not spend a night alongside it before we left France. The area holds special  memories for us , memories that inspire us to follow the path ahead and discover more exciting things that we can share with you along the way.

Camping Le Relais des Garennes, Monbert, France

As the fireworks took over the skies late last night, sadly the French weren't celebrating a place in the world cup final. Despite this, they were in good spirits enjoying the 'much too loud' music, good food and drink and 'Vive la France'.

Leaving the French to their celebrations we returned to Marge where a singer had been entertaining the campers with Spanish songs. We loved listening to him, clapping and whooping, as the English tend to do when abroad. Well, he needed the support, the French could barely put their hands together. It probably wasn't the best night for this style of music.

Just before midnight we watched the firework displays along the coast and in the nearby town along with others, young and old. After the last burst of cascading light faded into the darkness we all slowly drifted away. One elderly lady appeared to be stuck in her seat. Upon her release her relatives took to inspecting her behind. Not very dignified. Suddenly we hoped we hadn't seen our future!

We have now travelled via Sablone were we cycled through for John's 60th birthday ride to Spain, stopping for an ice lolly at the beach cafe we stopped at 10 years ago!

Then onto Monbert, Angela's little piece of paradise, where we are now settled under the shade of the oak trees. 

Rue de l'Espérance, Fouras, France (day 2)

Today is a big day in France. Not only is it Bastille day, the biggest public holiday in France, it is also the day France plays Spain in the semi finals of the world cup. When the fireworks are set off later, will the French be celebrating more than the birth of the modern French Republic? The aire and campsite opposite slowly began to empty this morning.

We'd decided we would stay another night, so fairly early we walked along the seafront to the nearby town, visited the market and stopped for tea and coffee at a cafe on the seafront, before returning to Marge armed with a still warm freshly baked baguette.

After weeks of intense heat it doesn't feel too warm to Angela now it's only 29c. It feels comfortable. Whilst John took an afternoon rest, Angela sorted out Marge's cupboards in readiness for all the goodies we want to bring home with us. We already have rather a lot of tinned mussels and tuna we bought in Spain. Sorry Marge, there's wine to buy yet, then you'll feel really loaded up! As we enjoy the early evening sunshine  across the road at the campsite bar a guitarist is tuning up.

Looks like it's going to be a great evening. Music, football and fireworks. Then tomorrow we'll be telling Marge to 'twende' (swahili for) Let's go! It was the name of Muddy Marges former owners truck camper which he used in Africa.

I've borrowed the photo from the previous owners page which I'm sure he won't mind.