It’s been quite a different pace over the last week or so, partly because of the high temperatures, but also because we’re in an area that we already know so we don’t feel the need to be out exploring every day. So instead it’s been a slower pace punctuated by water based activities, swimming, paddle-boarding, Joe fishing from his boat or taking us up the river for a drink or lunch at the pop-up riverside bar at Castelfranc.
It’s also the season for village fêtes, some honouring the village patron Saint and others taking advantage of the summer holiday period. Castelfranc celebrated its village fete last week and the Saturday evening culminated in a firework display. We were suffering a little (shouldn’t really complain) from the ‘Lucifer’ heat spike in Southern Europe, with the daytime temperature peaking at 36C, and it was still about 27C at 10.30p.m. when we cycled along to the village. The fireworks were preceded by the village band leading a parade of lantern bearing villagers down to the riverside. The fireworks themselves were let off from the old iron bridge across the river and it was a very impressive display for a small village.
It’s also the season for brocantes and vide-greniers and, as we noted last year, the same old tat seems to get unpacked and packed up again from village to village. The most recent was at Albas just along the river and, as it’s such a beautiful location, we did think it was worth a visit. We’ve written before about the frustration of finding the bar at Albas closed on 3 previous occasions when we’ve been passing, at various times on different days. We were convinced that we would find it open if visitors were expected in the village but, no, this bar owner obviously has no need of money. Despite it being a blazing hot Saturday, a brocante taking place, the village full of people looking for a drink, and his sign with opening hours showing this was a time when he might deign to open, the bar remained resolutely closed. There is a property for sale next to his and we have a good mind to buy it and open it as a bar! We were able to buy a beer to take away from a pop up shop in the village, but we had to open the bottles ourselves as they weren’t licensed. Who knew it was so hard to get a drink in France!
We’ve spent enjoyable breakfast times at the campsite watching the local kingfisher. His arrival in the nearby tree is usually heralded by his tin-whistle peeping. We have to wait for him to dive into the water to see his beautiful azure back and we were lucky enough to see him emerge with a mouthful of fish one day. Unfortunately the zoom lens camera is back in the UK so picture quality is extremely poor.
We’re looking forward to moving on to new areas shortly…..