Mile:16578-16791 Daily: 213 Meteo: Sunny and hot.
Depart 0915hrs. Most of the site seemed
asleep. A few were up and about, sat at breakfast tables. Most waved. Most of
the camper fraternity seem to wave when you depart. In fact, in common with
most French people they will all say good morning or good evening.
1000hrs. We are driving through
the centre of La Roche sur yon. This is a big city with wide well signposted
roads. Not signposted well enough it seems for the Stopportons, well Mike, who happened
to be driving at the time. He decided to follow the autre directions sign and
not listen to his navigator! The only thing that saved me from a ‘roasting’ was
the sudden appearance of a Carrefour store. It seemed open.
Sundays in France are not quite
as Draconian as they used to be. Although I’m not a great advocate of Sunday
shopping. We were however short on rations and we needed to take advantage of
the stores opening hours till lunchtime. Not all superstores/markets will be open
remember. Walking in we were some of the first customers. Exiting an hour
later, I know, how do you spend an hour in a supermarket? The car park was full.
This was by far the most expensive amount of shopping we had bought mainly due
to the 6 bottles of Charente Pinot and various Lego Constructrix kits we were taking
home. We were back on the road again by 1115hrs.
1505hrs. We arrive at Mousterlin.
This was the first aire we stayed at when we arrived in France. Nearly seven
weeks ago! Jackie was keen to return here. There is little in the way of cafes,
restaurants or anything else in the immediate area. The beach is long and wide
with a breakwater at one end. Thirty minutes’ walk away is a small café. First task.
Get a brew going. The roads have been busy today with much traffic. Probably
because it is bank holiday Sunday afternoon. Fortunately, there were four
spaces remaining. It was slightly overcast but very warm. This cleared away as
soon as we put out the chairs for tea and a slice of flan, courtesy Carrefour.
We lazed most of the remainder of
the day and read
our books. Come 1800hrs it had cooled somewhat and we decided
to go for a stroll along the water’s edge and paddle our feet.
Arriving at the
concrete breakwater we decided to walk on a little more. It was busy with more
visitors and children in evidence on the beach and rock pools. I suspect the
little dears might by now have broken up for holidays. When we were here a few
weeks back the place was virtually deserted apart from us old folks in camper
vans. We walked as far as the bistro café on the edge of a commercial camp
site.
Jackie checked out the menu. Nothing too exciting, standard fare but not
the exorbitant prices the hotel near the pier wanted to charge. Unfortunately,
neither of us had brought any cash for a beer as neither of us thought we were
walking far!
Returning to the van we had a
lovely diner of fish in breadcrumbs with haricots verre, toms and a small side
salad. Washed down with a couple of G+T’s. The evening was by now very hot as
we were sat in the suns direct rays.
