Passay

Yesterday evening, whilst cooking our evening meal, the competitive shouting, and the clacking of metal, told us the three French couples behind us, were playing a game of boules.

From the nearby village, and also from across the river, the bells tolled seven o' clock, before the daunting ringing of the evening mass bells began.

Later, taking a walk across the flood plain, its gravelly surface annoyingly filling our shoes, we realised that in the clff opposite the aire, was a troglodytes dwelling. We took a walk over to take a look. There people were sat outside, by a small dome tent, enjoying an evening drink. After a cheery 'bonsoir' to each other, we could see that the renovation of the cave, would be a work in progress for many years. Hopefully, one day in the future when we pass by this way again, we will see the fruits of their labour.

Back at Marge, we watched the sun set over the nearby village, and we both agreed it was the best one we'd seen so far. At eleven o' clock, just as we made ready for bed, the thunder could be heard in the distance. Soon it was above us, but after one flash of lightning, headed up river, leaving not a spot of rain in its wake.

This morning we awoke to a few drops of rain, and a much fresher feel. But the weather soon cleared up, and the sunshine we'd become accustomed to over the last few weeks returned.

We were the last to leave the aire, Marge having seen off the French, including the couple parked behind us, who ignored us when we spoke to them on our arrival. Very rude!

Our journey this morning took us along country lanes, with grapevines to the side, heavily laden with the fruit for rose Anjou wine.

At lunchtime we stopped at Montjean-sur-Loire, right beside the river. At the picnic table next to us, sat two English male cyclists. Of course, John couldn't help but cast a critical eye over their bikes.

(One had a beautifully lugged Reynolds 531 tubed frame actually Angela)

We took a walk through the adjacent park, looking at the sculptures and wall painting, then went on to photograph the church of Saint Symophorien, which dominates the town.

After, we decided to move on to an aire at Saint-Florent-le-Veil. It was right beside the abbey, which we entered into for a look. The carvings were impressive, as was the whole structure. In the crypt, in glass display cases, were religious carvings from the twelfth and thirteenth century.

Outside, there was a fantastic panoramic view of the river Loire. But we decided not to stay, and have instead moved onto Passay, South of Nantes.

We are near to a lake, and the incoming flight path for Nantes Airport in to the right of us, but it doesn't cause us any bother. We arrived here late. Normally, we would stay a few miles down the road at Monbert with Odille and Philippe, but tomorrow morning, John has plans to view a canoe nearby. (One that can be dismantled for storage in the van).

We will stay at Monbert in September, when we travel down the Atlantic coast, heading to Spain and Portugal.

This evening we will walk to the nearby lake. Tomorrow, sadly, we must turn north to make our way towards Dieppe.

Cunault

Yesterday evening, about ten o' clock, we walked back into the town, where the performers of the travelling comedy theatre were in full swing.

A few years ago, we had seen a similar production staged next to the chateau at Clisson. The French love to perform, but whenever we see them doing so, we always think they come across a little camp, and a little like the seventies English television comedy 'Allo Allo'. You are almost expecting them to come out with the lines, "where are the British airmen?'. "They are in ze wardrobe, in ze bedroom of my wife's mother!'

Walking back to the van, we stopped to photograph the chateau, which was now lit up. The night air was still stifling, so we shut all Marge's windows and doors, to keep out the mosquitoes and midges, and sat under a nearby light on our outdoor chairs, reading until midnight.

This morning there was a noticeable change in the weather. A lot cooler and fresher.

Behind us was a stunning private garden, and we commented on how lucky we were, to be able to enjoy it through the rear open doors of the van.

After breakfast, we took a walk to the nearby market, where, as at all French markets, there was an abundance of fruit and vegetables, meats, cheese, bread, olives etc.

Also bedding plants and herbs.

We smiled at the characters we saw in the crowds, an elderly gentleman, showing how to model socks and sandals really badly, and a tall man, wearing black riding? boots, with black shorts.

Along one of the side streets a young couple were busking, their young daughter bored in her pushchair, as her parents gave their all, to a rendition of Mary Hopkins, Those Were The Days. We gave them ten out of ten, for the energy they put into their performance.

When we left Langeais, the sky was a little grey, and a few spots of rain splashed onto the windscreen, but came to nothing. Our journey took us along the road past some troglodytes dwellings.

Even though we have seen them a few times before, we once again stopped, to take a look around. They are situated along the Loire cycle route, and one of the caves houses charging points for the electric bikes, toilets, picnic table, and a outdoor pizza oven/barbecue.

Just before we stopped here, we took the opportunity to photograph Angela, collecting this weeks wine allowance!

The heat built again during the afternoon. 30c, much more bearable. Tonight we are staying at a former campsite, just past Samur. Next to us is the flood plain for the river. Quite a lot of campsites have closed near to the river, and a few are now aires. This evening, we will take a walk across the plain to look at the river.

Tomorrow, we will have just nine days left until we return home, so we need to plan our route back up to the north coast. Since we left home, we have traveled just under four thousand, eventful, miles!