Day 4 Thursday 11^th May 2017

Reveille was at 0730hrs and by 0815hrs we were showered and sat at the breakfast table awaiting one of Angies “Full Monty’s”. Tom who had a dentist appointment that very morning was finishing his porridge and barely had time to wish us bon voyage.

The day was grey, overcast and with some light rain. With the breakfast feast finished there did not seem much point in hanging around and so Angie drove us into Bellegarde Airport to Buggs Car Rental desk to collect the car. They were expecting us and the paperwork was to hand. It was a very quick handover that was soon completed and saw us loading our kit into our Medium sized Toyota Yaris. We drove out of the car park at 1030hrs and apart from a quick stop at an Aldi to buy water, fresh fruit and cakes for Jill we were at Pontgibaud for 1350hrs.

The Hotel de la Poste.

At La Hotel de Poste Mike introduced all to Madame at reception, established we had reservations, could we book in? “Bien sur”. then the questions started, all in French. Basically she was asking where was Madame Lespinasse? Was she coming? When would she arrive? My knowledge of French numbers are terrible I meant to say in 30 minutes but said three minutes. Madame looked up and said something to the effect “Your joking!” then babbled on. I was lost. In desperation, I looked out the door for inspiration. There walking towards me was Suzie and Tim. With a beaming smile I turned to Madame and announced, “Madame Lespinasse est arrivee”. We were saved.

Down to pre-dinner drinks for 1830hrs.Tonight we are dinning on board. Excellent[MS1]  four course meal Twenty-three euros. A couple of excellent bottles of local wine complimented the food. On completion of the meal we retired to “the residents lounge” where we sipped our way through most of the bottle of Port Peter had bought earlier today at Lidl’s. Or was   it Aldi?

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