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.

Rue de l'Espérance, Fouras, France

During the night the wind got up. It woke Angela. We were going to take Marge's awning in yesterday evening, but we forgot, as it was late when we came back around from our English neighbours who we'd spent the evening talking with. Not really wanting to disturb John, Angela felt she had to (at 3.30am). A thunderstorm was forecast during the night, and we couldn't risk the awning being damaged. So we were tired this morning. The storm didn't materialise until around eight thirty, and then it wasn't anything to be bothered by. After two days at the chateau it was time to move on. We know this area of France so well we decided we wanted to stay in some new places rather than the old faithfuls. But the village we chose we weren't that enamored by, so after eating lunch we left heading for the Atlantic coast. The very coast we were not going to stay on as it would be busy and expensive. Fouras was was our destination, and we really liked it. It reminded us of the Ile de Re with its whitewashed buildings and blue shutters. But it was popular and difficult to find a free overnight spot that wasn't overlooking houses, so we left and moved down the coast a little to the Plage L'Esperance where we found a nice free spot overlooking the sea.

Angela loves this area along the Atlantic coast. When we cycled down this coast in 2015 to Spain when John was sixty, this area is the one she remembers the most, and never tires of returning to.

An evening walk on the beach, the tide now far off the shore we were surprised to see so many large jelly fish left behind by the tide.

Their silicone-like bodies made us think of implants, a strange thought, we know. Walking back to Marge we stopped at the paid aire to see how much it cost, but the pay machine was broken, so it was free! We decided to move, as, as lovely as our spot was, it felt a little isolated. As night fell a dramatic sunset of dark pink streaked the sky.

This evening feels fresh, the temperature today is 24c cooler than yesterday. We never thought we'd feel comfortable like this again. For the first time in many weeks the heat felt bearable. We have just one week left in France. We can't believe that the time for us to return home will soon be upon us. Already we are looking into travels for next year. As they say. One life, live it!

Rochefort, Charente-Maritime

We forgot to mention that when we stayed the night at Mimizan, we did something in Margery for the first time. Curb those thoughts please. As we were in a car park near the town we didn't put the pop top up, but slept downstairs. A little tight, but doable. And at the Bordeaux campsite this morning, Angela did something for a second time on this trip. Used a hairdryer. Honestly, the little things really do make a difference. We packed up quickly this morning, happy we'd spent time in Bordeaux. As always it had been wonderful. Our next stop Rochefort. We are now slowly making our way up towards Cherbourg, and from now on will probably stay at places we've visited many times before.

Rochefort is an interesting town, it's Transporter bridge easily visible as you approach the town. Yet another night on a campsite. Cost 13 euros. Bargain. It's a shame English campsites can't be more affordable. The Viva Espana food truck turned up in the evening, but it's selection was so vastly overpriced we did our own catering as usual. 

Keen to keep our step count at a minimum of 20,000 a day we walked around the town.

Tomorrow we will head to La Rochelle and cross the bridge to the Ile de Re. We just love it there.

What a treat to see a Bee Orchid growing on the verge when we walked to the supermarket. 

Marsilly

This morning, after yet more rain during the night, the damp air gripped us. The forecast for this afternoon was for an improving picture, and we hoped that it would be. Our journey from Monbert, along roads we've both cycled and driven a few times before brought back memories. It was 17c, hardly the temperature you'd expect in south west France in early September. In Oban, west Scotland, today's temperature was set to hit 25c. Perhaps we should have travelled to Europe during May and June, and saved Scotland for the autumn. Who knows? The sunflowers, that stretched as far as the eye could see, also seemed a little miffed by the weather. They hung their heads low, also praying for some much needed sun. Marge has performed well so far on this trip, until today, when she decided to have a hot flush. Giving her a minute to compose herself we were soon on our way. We topped her up with fuel, the forty five pounds worth we'd filled her with before leaving Poole had taken us south of Nantes, which we were very pleased about. We hope there will be no more incidents. Do you hear us Marge? Our destination today was Marsilly. A small village on the Atlantic coast, and right on the Velodysee cycle route, which nine years ago, to celebrate John's 60th birthday we cycled. Beginning at St. Malo, and finishing below Hendaye where we crossed just into Spain. It took us eleven days. We'd allowed thirty. So, not bad going. Last year we cycled a section of the route again. We have also driven this way on a couple of occasions. Ask Angela where she loves to visit whilst in France, and in no particular order she'll tell you, Camping Rural les Relais des Garennes, Monbert, the Atlantic coast, the Loire Valley, and of course Mayenne, home to Chateau de la Motte Husson, where we may stop off on our return journey to Cherbourg. Tonight we consider we have the best spot at the park up.

The other vans, all French, are in the main parking area. Marge has her own secluded spot in the 'English section' right at the end on the edge of a field. The golden stubble of a ripened crop awaits the plough to bury it deep into the sandy soil below, and wild fennel, with its distinctive aniseed  aroma wafts around us. Behind us are views of the open countryside. In front the Atlantic ocean, and the coastline stretching towards La Rochelle.

The suspended huts of the shrimp fisherman line the foreshore. The sun has been shining since we arrived mid afternoon, and the temperature rose into the low twenties. The whole area looks beautiful. We are hopeful of a beautiful sunset. Let's hope we are not disappointed.

The Blogger at work!

The local mussels abound.