Lac de Guerledan, Morbihan, Brittany

After the intense heat of yesterday, this morning was cool and fresh. But despite the lowered temperature it didn't feel cold, just comfortable. Days are ticking by now, so we packed up as quickly as possible, giving Margery a quick pat down to remove the purple stains from the cherries as they were pecked at by the birds in the tree above.

A Thrush picked through the arid soil around us, miraculously finding a few worms to return to the nest with. Once again today we weren't driving far through the beautiful French countryside passing a patchwork of fields, some with crops waiting for harvest, screens of trees providing welcome shade over the road, and bees busy feasting on pollen from fragrant flowers. Today we looking forward to being able to go cycling.

So the stop we'd chosen to spend the night at was beside Lac de Guerledan. It was near the Velodysee cycle route, a route we know well. We decided to cycle to the nearby dam.

Of course we found ourselves lost along the way, even  found two boats lost in the forest, but we didn't care, it was great to be cycling.

By now the heat was rising, but a cooling breeze helped keep the temperature down a little. Once again we came across families cycling the Nantes-Brest canal, and once again we didn't envy them in the heat.

The dam was a bit of a disappointment, but nevertheless it had been good to put our feet on some pedals. The return cycle was uphill, so more walking than cycling. Anyone who knows anything about hydration will know copious amounts of water needs to be consumed in very hot weather. But good hydration results in a need to urinate. Angela doesn't need encouragement in this department. She can't pass a public convenience without using it. Today, public loos far and few between she resorted to a 'hedge wee'. After many years of bicycle touring, 'hedge wees' have become a 'who cares, this will do wee'. Today though, she was a little unerved by something stroking her buttock. Thankfully the intrusion was caused by a seed head on some wild grass moving in the breeze. This evening the van parking at the lake is busy. Well it would be. Not only is it a beautiful spot, it's free.

As we wait for a beautiful sunset, which we are assured we will witness, we count our blessings. One being that we have a really lovely French family parked next to us, and in a Land Rover!

Your choice of neighbour whether on a free park up or a camping site is not up to you, and often they can be a right pain. Foot to the pedal tomorrow Margery, we need to up our pace. There's still lots to see.

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!