Briare le Canal

Saturday 9th August

A little drama at 3.30 this morning - we both woke to the sound of a very sudden downpour and squally wind.  Usually, we would roll over and go back to sleep, but we had left the awning out overnight and this kind of wind can buffet it about and cause damage, so John put on his shorts and went out to wind (rhymes with kind) it back in.  This cannot be done quietly of course - maybe that's why our Dutch neighbour didn't acknowledge John's 'good morning' today??  Touchee!!  Mind you, the laugh was really on us because that downpour only lasted just long enough for John to get worried, wet and lie awake for some time afterwards.

We left Crevecoeur and travelled just over 100 miles south to Briare - our first stop by the River Loire.  In fact, we haven't seen the river yet - doing that tomorrow.  We are staying the night at another France Passion - on the land of Famille Poupat's vineyard.  Madame showed us where to park the van - on a strip of grass between some buildings, and we got ready to go for a walk.  This was a geocaching trail of 9 caches through a near-by forest, the Trousse-Bois. Although a bit dull today, it has been quite hot and sticky, so the trees were welcome.  When we got back to the van, M. Poupat was busy with his lawn mower - I say busy, but in true French style, he was very happy to stop and chat(??) with us and a couple of up-and-downs later, with a couple who had come to see him.  About an hour later, he came and took the machine away!  We take it they don't get too many motorhome visitors, hence the long grass, but we thanked him for his efforts.


Sunday 10th August

We waved Madame Poupat goodbye at 9.45 and arrived at our next stop a few minutes later by driving into Briare-le-Canal and following the signs to the Camping Le Martinet.  One of the campsite books (yes - we have them with us this holiday!) said that the site is a little tired, and it's true, it is, but it's in a very pleasant spot beside the river and very convenient for seeing the town and the canals.  Some of the pitches are rather worn or sloping, but by walking to the far end, we found the only hard stand - very flat and quite sensible for us in this showery weather.  Once installed, we set off on our bikes to explore.  The town is very attractive, with several man-made waterways as well as the river and many are connected by mini-'rialto' bridges.  Lunch today was going to be our first meal out so far and as today's heavy shower was imminent, we headed for Restaurant le Saint Hubert soon after 12.  So we were able to watch the rain from the comfort of our table enjoying a simple, but tasty lunch.

 Later the skies cleared again and we walked over the Pont Canal - built from 1890-1894 by Eiffel and the longest in Europe at 662.69m - an aqueduct to take boats from one canel to another over the River Loire. Being Sunday afternoon, tout le monde were out enjoying the sunshine and the views from up there, so excellent for people-watching too.  A bit more cycling around and we made it back to the van just before the next shower.  Seems more like April weather because this evening we are bathed in sunshine again.