Date: Wednesday 5th July 2017 Weather: Sunny and hot. Mile: 000
Awoke
to light rain pattering on the roof. Unbelievable as we had to open all the
windows last night to get more air in and for the sake of modesty, whose? I
know not, we threw a sheet over ourselves. By the time Jackie had made the
first brew of the day, it had passed and it was bright sun again.
Mike took a quick walk to the
marina to see if our friend in the Kayak who was camping nearby had put in. The
tide was well out but he could follow the channel out into the Gironde to
continue his journey. I could not see him.
Returning to the truck Jackie had
breakfast on the go. Today we are on Momma’s Instant porridge with raisins and
cranberries. Now I know there are those of you who will throw their hands up in
horror at the thought but these individual packets can be tipped into a mug
with some added boiling water and hey presto it’s not a bad bit of grub. Handy
in a bergan if weight is a consideration!
We decided we would walk the
short distance into the town centre to get some ‘fresh’. As I stood outside
waiting for Jackie, an old Netherlander registered Hymer reverses in. They are
an older couple. I look across and in my best Dutch accent say ‘Good dag’ He
replies with “You are English” I reply “Yes, no need for me to speak to you in
any other language all Netherlanders speak good English”. He laughs, “Well I do
but my wife does not”. Forty minutes later I must break away from him as I tell
him the shops will be closed for lunch and we need to buy salad items. I
promise we will speak later. He is a great character with a good sense of
humour.
 |
This date commemorates The Battle of Mang Yang pass.It was the last battle of the first Indo-China war. Costly to the French! |
The lock gates are still
closed as we approach. On the far side a woman looks somewhat hesitantly at the
lock gate bridge. As we step off the bridge on her side we exchange pleasantries
and she asks can she get back if the gates open. “Bien sur” I reply ‘promenade
sur la sentier de la port”. I tell you the locals think I’m as French as they
are. Well that was until we arrived in the market square and attempted to buy
fresh olives, stuffed chillies and fresh dates.
‘We always buy fresh dates
when passing through Dubai Airport’ Ask me about this story next time you see
me! Make sure you have an hour spare though. Otherwise it might be as well not
to mention it!
Meanwhile back at the olive stall.
The transaction, all but finished, the stallholder is asking me a question. I
thought he said are you from ‘Londres’ ‘Mais no, a Plymouth” I reply “No no no”
he replies with obvious frustration and repeats the question. It made no
difference I still did not understand. Jackie suggests he is asking if we are
Dutch and from the Nederland’s. “Don’t be daft”. I reply “Qui, qui, Nederlands”
he replies with a look of total accomplishment on his face. He must have
thought at last I’ve gotten through to these ‘Cloggies’ This, his moment of joy
was dashed when I proudly proclaimed “Juis suis Anglais, j’habitex Angleterre”.
A gallic shrug was now thrown into the conversation this I took to mean ‘forget
it’ and we all wished each other “Bonne journee”. First time my French has ever
been taken as that bad I was speaking with a Dutch accent!
We wandered around the various
open air market stalls buying salad items, fruit and some artisan ficelle. There was however no
fromage stall so we took off into the high street and found a Co-op selling Super
U products. Perhaps they are one and the same here. We bought another Donkey
post card to post to Callum. A joke twixt him and Grumpy then made our way back
for lunch. On the way we passed madame, whom we had chatted to ‘at the bridge’
earlier, she was on the other side of the road. That didn’t stop me from shouting
across “Bonjour Madame”. God bless her.
She smiled back and said “Bonne
journee”.
Back at the truck we prepped lunch which was a simply amazing
salad with a glass of chilled white each. When you consider everything we
bought today came to E54 enough for several meals and snacks over the next few
days and yesterday’s lunch was E63 it is obvious where money will go if eating
out each day. Also remember that a set, or limited choice lunch menu is ‘always’
cheaper than dinner. I’m not complaining you understand!
The day is now hot. We laze
under the trees behind the camper reading and watching mother duck swim past.
Alarm! There are only nine ducklings today. One of our ducklings is missing!
1800hrs and we take ourselves
off for a walk. The circus has a show starting now so we wander over to see the
staff, dressed in their costumes. Even a very young 4 year old was dressed in a
Ringmasters red uniform. The music was blaring out through loudspeakers and the
animals seemed to sense it was ‘showtime’. The whole thing reminded me of Clint
Eastwood’s film ‘Bronco Billy McCoy’. Billy Smarts it ain’t.
The Dutch couple beside us, he
77 she 74 were as amusing as ever. He spoke very good English she none. We
spent many a half hour throughout the day chatting laughing and giggling. He
insisted we make note of his all natural medicines and pills made from mussels.
These he assured us had cured his rheumatism on his knee joints. A few months
ago he could barely walk, now he was pretty mobile. Probably moving better than
Mike at this stage.
We were delighted to receive
from Les photos of him and Mel in their Canadian canoe in brilliant sunlight on
the Tamar. Not. That only reminds us all too sharply that we have much catching
up to do before we move to Sweden in August for our seven days canoe and wild
camp! In anticipation of this
I have walked around the marina a couple of times
today. I did weaken in the early evening and succumb to temptation and have an
ice cream with Jackie. Crème Brule flavour. It was delicious.
I love these old soft top cars. Very rare in France now. Ideal for running around town in the gorgeous weather they have.
