Our first morning in France and we wake up as snug as bugs in rugs – eventually.  We start to discuss our route for the day and being lazy are practically wearing it.  If you look carefully you’ll see our route planning shown by a Nespresso coffee pod right over Tours.  Don’t take any notice of the guitar.  Steve’s brother Tim has shown him a few chords so as per last year we suffer chord of the day.  Unfortunately, Steve has forgotten what he learnt and practiced last year, so each day its Groundhog Day. Yup the same chord of the day every day played with a silly grin.

Getting ready in our warm caravan we find out its only +1 outside so we decide not to spend time in Tours and continue to chase not just the sun (shining but cold) but warmer weather.  As Steve packs up – remember he does outside in the cold, and I do inside in the warm – I notice in this campsite which accommodates up to 90 units there are only three other occupants.  As I walk around the site taking a few pictures, I’m so pleased on my coat choice.  It was either something fashionable but not particularly practical or warm, or a duvet with sleeves, totally comfortable and warm.  It was a tough decision but I’m glad I made it.

     

Leaving around 11am we’re mindful that we have to check into our next campsite before it’s dark (last night was a little hairy) so we thought we’d see where we were around 4 and then consult our various books and guide books.  I’m settled in the co-pilots seat with my minimum equipment; sun glasses (optimistic), reading glasses (necessary), map on lap (so I can see where we’ve been and going), pad and pen (for ideas, but rather blank), mobile and camera.  The dash camp is rolling as are we.  You can drive safely so much further in the Summer with the longer hours, but hey, we’re seeing new places and even Googling a few along the route enjoying every moment.  Mid-day it hadn’t got any warmer and closer to 1pm we drove through Chatellerault taking in and admiring the stunning views and various styles of architecture. Typically, the village was closed for lunch and couldn’t look any more lazy or deserted.

Along the route we played our version of I Spy. That means, Steve is far more observant than I am, even as the driver, spotting his favourite raptors.  I could just about manage cows and sheep.  Hmm.  He does things with wings, and I see joints with garlic and gravy.  Driving through various B roads we passed Chateau Touffou, once a beautiful private residence and now still a beautiful private residence but with space for hire.  Driving through a medieval village we were pleased to be behind a rather large commercial vehicle which meant if the driver could negotiate the narrow streets and tight turns, so could we. 

Stopping a couple of times for Stella to have a run, I took the opportunities to make quick snacks in the caravan. As planned on the dot of 4 we’d chosen a campsite for tonight and made arrangements to book into De Bois Redon in Septfonds – www.campingdeboisredon.com.  I spoke with a charming Dutch man who told me to follow his directions and not our Sat Nav.  Apparently as the campsite is in a forest he wanted to make sure we travelled along roads wide enough for our Discovery and 8m long caravan and not forest trails.  Late afternoon and it’s still only +5!  It’s got to be warmer in Benidorm.  If not, at least we can mope over cheap booze and food.

We arrived on the dot of 6pm, a few miles outside of Toulouse ready to continue our quest for the sun tomorrow morning, just before the sun set, and had plenty of daylight left to set up and open a Beer for Steve as small appreciation for yet another day’s enjoyable safe driving.  Stella made friends with the owners dogs so we all had someone to chat about the day’s events.

If I had one disappointment of the day, it would be that the selection of our live herbs on our front window sill are wilting.  Obviously in need of heat as much as we are.

Written, edited and posted by Blanche