Lavardin/St Martin des Bois

Monday 25th August

Before we left La Ferme de Prunay, we had a chat with the family next door to us who were very nice - not surprising really - they might now live in Leeds, but she grew up in Billingshurst!  We'd seen on a local map that not too far north from here was 'one of the prettiest villages in France' so we thought we'd go and have a look.  This was Lavardin on the smaller river of le Loir and although we didn't get any sunshine, we admired the old, well-preserved houses, the church with some amazing wall paintings from C15 and the ruins of the castle way up high above the village.  We just happen to have chosen the one day in the week that the chateau is closed, but never mind, we were able to see it by walking up the road beside it.

After eating our lunch in a little park, we drove to the town close-by - Montoise-sur-Loir - to take a look at the Aire (for motorhomes) by the old station.  We decided not to stay there, but admired what they had done to their old station building - restored it and turned it into a museum (closed Mondays of course!).

Another nearby village with an Aire is St. Martin des Bois and there we settled in a peaceful spot beside a small lake (plan d'eau) to have a wander around the village and stay the night.  After our walk, the rain started - and continued well into the night.  And so we were left in peace - even the fishermen gave up.  One excitement though, a very colourful van drew up beside us and the chap slapped on a new poster on the information board, an invitation to go to his circus in Montoise.  We really don't know where he thinks the crowds are coming from!

Tuesday 26th August

Morning at St Martin - spot the poster!

Of course, will all that rain, the circus poster is now peeling off the board ....  However, with a grey start to the day, but no rain, we bought our baguette in the village boulangerie and drove to our next campsite.  We'd picked Camping Arada Parc at Sonzay for 2 reasons - today is the start of low season at ACSI sites, so we pay no more than 16E a night, plus it has an indoor pool - perfect for a grey day.  So we arrived before midday and spent the next few hours enjoying warm sunshine on our pitch!  We did go in the pool for a while and even John found the water warm.  We also took advantage of the restaurant on site and chatted to a couple who are on their way to their favourite site near Nice.