9th June 2009 – Bourgeneuf

Well we got settled in and were completely puzzled by people who kept driving up and then leaving – perhaps we got it wrong but there is another aire around here?

Had a little wander round and came back and still they drive in and straight back out again? Another turns and stays, so it must be right- right?

Waking up next day we are a little surprised to be hemmed in by the market, now we understood. So two new pairs of shoes, eggs and cherries later we vacate a little after one, although in fairness we are not ever going to be first on the road.

8th June 2009 – Oradour sur Glane

Is a lovely little town if the source of much embarrassment to us. Our only excuse for missing the point of this incredible part of WWII history was that it was pouring with rain and we didn’t venture too far when the heavens opened. The Aire is very well set up for the significant numbers of visitors arriving in ‘camping cars’.

7th June 2009 - Les Salles Lavauguyon

Seems the answer is – no, we will never actually get it. Here we are in Les Salles Lavauguyon and we have no drinking water, no dinner and yes you guess it no shops open that we can find. Those that had been opened were by now all shut up. We have no excuse except we simply forget which day of the week it is (again!). The downside of our fortunate lifestyle – oh well!

So we went to Rochechouart to get some lunch out and of course it was a fiesta so the only hopeful bar was closed for a private party. Sometimes you do feel you are up against it! We did, however,  find a salon de The and managed to secure a sandwich and a bottle d’eau. Tres bien, one’s tastes become so simple when in fear of being hungry!

Anyhow when enjoying our evening back at the Aire we were treated to the sight of a beautiful deer proudly strutting by our ‘home’ putting all frustrations firmly to the back of our minds. Although the Aire was absolutely fine we were there alone and the little village seemed sadly to be suffering in the recession. None of the bars or shops appeared to be open – ever!

6th June 2009 – Lhommaize

We were on our way to our next stop when we came across our first view of a nuclear power station - unsurprisingly we were treated to a night of free electricity! I think we would have felt affronted if they had made us pay with the source being so close. Although we have our own views on nuclear power it does make you look at the rivers with some suspicion! One of our favourite things about France is the omnipresent running water. Another pretty little town although arriving on Saturday afternoon meant it was very quiet.

5th June 2009 – St Clement des Levees

What a superb little Aire on the banks of the Loire just perfect for a walk to stretch a little before taking front row seats to watch plenty of birdlife diving into the river for  their evening feed, nicely accompanied with a glass of wine - us that is, not the birds!

Services were a bit remote from the Aire so it was lucky we were full / empty when we arrived as we had to watch several ‘homes’ leave due to some thoughtless parking by cars which were actually not allowed. We did end up wondering if these locals were not as positive about camping cars as we had previously found. Too much paranoia!

4th June 2009 - Brezolles

We had a lovely day driving through pretty villages just west of Centre until we arrived at our first planned night at Brezolles. Once again there was just a flutter of nerves.

It seems that whenever you drive into the villages at towns inland you always spot some what we have gotten into the habit of calling ‘ne’er do wells’. We don’t mean it to be unkind but the recession had taken its toll on unemployment in France and there did always seem to be a handful of people hanging around who didn’t seem to be up to any good. There we were suffering from reading too much about bandits and robbers who were waiting to pounce on us every time we stopped or left the van for just a few minutes. We certainly have no evidence of being targeted and I think this is simply because France has a very positive view of ‘camping cars’. The Aire is well positioned and attractive and best of all was an enormous rabbit that seemed to live in the Aire much to the annoyance of the little dog that was staying in one of the motorhomes.

A lovely sunny day too which allowed some good photo opportunities of the attractive church.

3rd June 2009 - La Touquet again

CLEAN (us and the van) and ready for the off including a new shower tap and everything we were excited to commence our summer tour of the Limousin and Auvergne. Being lucky enough to be hurried onto the earlier SeaFrance ferry meant that we arrived back at La Touquet earlier than expected where we spent just a night eager to get down to the Limousin.