Why do people who own large motorhomes with lots of outside lockers feel they must open each of them around eleven at night before retiring to bed? John says, they're probably looking for a bottle of mineral water they bought and can't remember where they stored it. Well that's O.K. then. Angela's hearing is so sensitive she can hear someone cough in the next road at home if our bedroom window is open. Some noise during the night she can tolerate, but loud music and televisions, loud voices and fart cars she can't. Wildlife, however she can, which is good, as last night the black swans and ducks in the pond behind us decided to 'party all night'. But that was fine, to her it was like a lullaby. Strange woman. This morning the rain arrived as promised. We decided it was probably a good idea to just drive a little further today, so we could enjoy the better weather that was due from Sunday. Quaint crumbling cottages that passed us by as we drove through village after village didn't seem so picturesque in the torrential rain. And the charred heads of the sunflowers awaiting decapitation shortly once the weather settled, did nothing to lighten the surroundings. Our destination was Rochefort. The last time we stayed on the campsite there it was mid September. The weather sunny and warm. Today, not so. The ladies in the campsite office remembered us, or rather Marge, and once we were booked on as a car with a tent, which effectively we are it soon became apparent that the sodden pitches available to us were a no go. So John asked if we could have a motorhome pitch as it was so wet. Result. We now have a great pitch right by the entrance.
At four, as forecast the sun beamed with a huge smile and we were able to walk out, visiting Rochefort town centre, where we've never ventured before and now wonder why.
The large church, crumbling before our eyes stood amongst boutiques and cafe bars. A shop selling slippers and shopping trolleys caught Angela's eye. We have noticed the shopping trolley is very popular here, and once the French reach sixty it is a much have item. Angela wondered if slippers and a new shopping trolley were on some peoples Christmas wish list. She'll let you know when she feels old enough to need one!
The evenings are a little cooler now, but not so cool that we couldn't grill Spanish chicken for our evening meal outside. Tomorrow we are returning to the Ile de Re. Don't tell Marge. The last few days she's been behaving, and we think it would be O.K. for us to divert a little off our return route. We really love the island and the weather is now set to be fine for at least four days so we're going for it. On the campsite we can hear a television coming from an awning attached to a French caravan. You do attract them Marge. Bring on the ducks and Swans Angela says.
