Fegreac, Loire-Atlantique

Who knew chickens loved curry? Well the ones at our campsite last night certainly did. As darkness fell, the chickens left us and the two little black sheep began calling to each other. John named one of them lamb chop, Angela didn't think that was fair, perhaps mint and sauce would have suited them better. Today we were looking forward to driving to Nort Sur Erdre. But some days just don't go to plan do they? We were supposed to be following a route from a well known travel writers book.

But after a walk around the town we discovered the aire mentioned in it didn't seem to exist, and the next few park ups we stopped at just weren't for us. Feeling a little upset at having wasted one of our precious days, and disappointed that our planned drive along the Nantes-Brest canal might not be as enjoyable as we'd hoped, we eventually found an aire in a small village a few miles off the canal. 

We cycled in this area ten years ago, and remember a little campsite with about ten pitches, and one loo and shower right beside the canal. Sadly it closed recently. Whilst walking in the nearby town, a mix of very nice and neglected buildings, we saw a sign for the campsite. It brought back happy memories. Angela's lasting memory of the campsite were an elderly French couple in a small caravan. They were browned to a crisp, and wouldn't have looked out of place in an Ambre Solair advert. She wore a tiny bikini, and he a an even tinier pair of budgie smugglers. Sadly they are probably no longer with us. As for the swimwear, probably on Vinted! So tomorrow we need to make a plan. Do we continue along the canal route, or stay alongside the canal for a few days and then head to the coast. In the meantime, we might just take a look on Vinted. It seems you're never too old for a bikini and speedos!

Angela sizing up a new acquisition for her property portfolio? :-)

La Tessoualle, Maine-et-Loire

The night passed quietly, the forecast storm deciding not to make an appearance. So this morning dawned dry, and considerably cooler, the temperature right down on yesterday, it felt a little chilly. Keen to be on our way to begin the next stage of our trip, we were gone by nine thirty. Our drive to a campsite just a couple of hours away, took us across beautiful countryside.

Sunflowers as far as the eye could see, stood to attention in the sunlight, and fields of corn, awaited the arrival of the combined harvester. This was summer in the countrysides at its best. By lunchtime we'd parked Margery in a beautiful spot on the campsite, with views across to water. Four chickens and a couple of sheep fell upon us, hoping we'd share a taste morsel with them. And of course when we did, they pestered us all afternoon.

(Note the skull & cross bone collar!)

The small campsite has a small restaurant and bar, and is particularly popular with the locals. We like it here, and are glad we are now moving inland where campsites and Aires should be quieter. The French love the coast, particularly on a weekend, and we're happy for them to be there. This trip we've really slowed down, and we like it. Our onward travels will take us a long the Nantes to Brest canal, through the forest at Huelgoat, and along the north coast of Brittany. Sadly we only have two weeks of travelling left, so Margery, there probably won't be too many rest stops from now on.

The campsite Guinguette is very popular 

Coulon, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (day 2)

So much for a peaceful night, at 4am we were awoken by the distant rumbling of thunder. Angela prefers a storm to be distant rather than overhead. We weren't surprised though at the arrival of a electrical storm after the heat of yesterday, then more rain this morning. 

Today's high temperature is forecast to be 93f, so no doubt we'll be woken during the night again. Keen to be able to explore the area, we were out early this morning.

The visitors to the town had not yet arrived, we were able to enjoy a walk alongside the river Sevre without having to dodge bicycles and people, stopping for coffee at one of the waterside cafes.

The quiet of the morning was also appreciated by the wildlife. A swallowtail butterfly, John's favourite butterfly settled on a large buddleia, happy to pose for photographs.

Crossing the towpath, tiny newborn toads hopped across gravel and through grass making a desperate dash for the cool waters of the river, and on cool stone walls in the town insects took the opportunity for some copulating before lunch. All whilst a large Stork circled overhead. 

But it was hot, very, very hot, and Angela felt a little heady, despite drinking copious amounts of water. So once again we decided to sit tight, and stay at this fantastic site. This evening a welcome breeze awoke the still trees, their swaying and shaking fanning us, but we were still hot. Tomorrow is looking to be cooler, and we will move a little further north and stay on a campsite to take a shower before heading over to Brittany. The highlight of today for us has been watching the wildlife. How can anybody not enjoy this pastime. 

Coulon, Nouvelle-Aquataine

Yesterday evening, as the sun slid towards the horizon, we walked on the beach, as did many other people. It was so warm, what else could we all do? The retreating tide exposed rocks and rock pools, exposing crabs, jelly fish and a handful of sea glass. John likes to be able to collect a minimum of five pieces each time, sadly he could only find four. As the sunlight lit the pebbles before finally dipping below the line of the horizon, it left behind the pink purple vapour trails of planes passing overhead as they flew in and out of nearby La Rochelle airport. We were glad we'd decided to stay another night on the island, and a peaceful, if warm night it was. Up with the lark this morning, we were away by nine. A Lidl stop to stock up on tins of black olives, (which we eat everyday), before driving to Camping Bel Air to return the 'blipper' for the barrier at the entrance. Parking at the nearby aire, leaving Margery with just two other vans, which seemed strange as the island was so busy, we decided to see if we could blag a shower down at the campsite. No, but two euros paid, and they were at our disposal! We couldn't believe it! We'd spent all those days on the site at £17.50 a day, and we could have stayed on the aire for free and paid four euros a day for showers! Sounds liked a good idea, but in this heat we were glad to be able to settle in a shady spot. The aire has very little shade, and lots of sun. No wonder it was quiet. It was early afternoon when we left La Flotte. The pretty little town tried to persuade us to stay, but as much as we'd love to we had to leave, even the donkeys looked sad to see us leave.

A few people had asked us if we'd visited Coulon. No, never. And we don't really no why, as we visit the area around it often. Every year you should try to visit places you've never been before. Good advice, Particularly at our age. France covers a large area, and we know we need to start to visit more of the departments in the North East of the country.

Coulon is in the Marais Poitevin National Regional Park. It is known as the 'Green Venice', as a maze of channels and narrow waterways criss cross the second largest wetland in France. We are now asking ourselves, why have we never been here!