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!

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.