Caerlaverock Castle Corner Camp Site

We're in the north now, the rainy north. After an early start we decamped to the nearest MacDonald's for breakfast, before heading back onto the M6 where Marge was swallowed up by the lorry's. The rolling green baize covered hills of the Lake District soon in sight the traffic calmed, and our drive became more relaxed.

John in need of more caffeine, we stopped at the Tebay service area. For those of you who've never stopped there, it's a bit of a destination, if you like to pay high prices for, we'll everything there. All that money passed over the counter, and no toilet paper in the men's toilet cubicles, of course John informed the staff.

Guilty of encouraging this overpriced venue we returned to Marge who surprisingly was joined by yet another Marge. Two Marges in close proximity, that's double trouble!

Soon we were across the border into Scotland, and of course the sunshine was cancelled out by dark clouds which couldn't wait to send driving rain in our direction. The wind blew, strongly and our happy faces turned sad. But this is Scotland! By the time we reached tonight's stop, an old favourite of ours near Dumfries, the sky was blue, and the sun out. Angela has worn shorts everyday since late April, the fluctuating temperatures of today made her realise she might need to dust off her long trousers.

A pleasant walk to the nearby Caerlaverock Castle for afternoon refreshments, and talk about Land Rovers with a member of staff before returning to Marge, checking out fungi and foraging the last of the blackberries from the tangled brambles along the way.

This evening a beautiful blue sky, the winds now lighter we sat outside. Through the trees the Solway Firth glistens, the oak trees rustle and all is calm. Just a handful of other vans here with us, just how we like it.

Meilhan-sur-Garonne, Lieu dit Au Jardin, France

There's something about driving through the French countryside. Picturesque villages, warm, inviting, rustic. And this morning that exactly described our drive. Sunflowers, sweet corn, beans, growing on sunbaked earth.

When would it rain again! We haven't seen any significant rain since our first day in France, over seven weeks ago. We are heading towards the coast, hoping despite the heat, the air might feel fresher. Not wanting to drive too far we made for a former campsite, now a campervan park right beside the canal Garonne. Once again we were in former cycling territory.

The last time we passed the campsite there were just two campers on it. Now it's a paid area, there were around thirty. Because of the intense heat we've not been able to walk out as much as we would have liked. But this evening once the sun was down we walked alongside the canal, aware that the sky above was darkening.

Then the trees began to sway, shedding leaves that fell fast into the still waters of the canal. It won't come too much, we thought. Well, it did.

Thunder, lighting, rain. How long have we waited? How long did the parched earth have to wait? The torrents of falling water made us think of the wildfires burning in Spain and France, hopefully some of this deluge would pass their way. Just over a week ago we were on a campsite at Los Gallardos. A few days ago the site was evacuated because of smoke drifting across from a large wildfire close by. Crazy to think we'd been in the area not that long ago. Well Marge, we're nearing the end of our trip, at least you get a good old clean after days of driving dusty roads. Tomorrow we will be back to normal. Temperatures touching 40c, and wall to wall sunshine!

Saint-Clar, 2-8 Chemin de Ronde, France

It was hot, hot, hot yesterday evening. With the exception of those with air con in their vans, the rest of us were sweating, profusely. Temperatures in this area are in the high thirties, in some areas of France, over forty. We have been driving short distances, looking for overnight stops that offer shade. By lunchtime today us and Marge were parked under trees on a former campsite in the village of  St. Clar.

And there we sat until six o'clock in the evening, when it still felt too hot to walk out.  Needing something to occupy us this afternoon we resorted to a hair trim. Angela did hers, then she did John's. We looked O.K., but what the people who normally cut our hair will think, well, they'd probably be horrified!

Eventually we decided we had to walk around the town, and it is a beautiful place. Keen to move somewhere cooler, we took a look on the internet to see where we should head tomorrow. It seems, apart from the very north coast of France everywhere is having an extreme heatwave. Despite saying we wouldn't, we've decided to head towards the Atlantic coast, staying a little off the coast to avoid the crowds and expensive campsites. Our fridge, normally full of food, is full of drinks. Goodness knows what temperatures will reach in the coming years! One thing is for sure. We know in the future we must avoid Europe in July.

A Fig tree trying to escape out of someone's garden!

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!