Some WOW days

16/8. L’isle to wonderful
The lovely man in the campground gave Suzanna a bag of lavender (and a two cheek kiss). he was so nice and helpful and we had given him a koala. Ran out of LPG gas, travelled main roads, missed “sur le pont, D’Avignon...”, ... but then ... we ... found a Boulangerie (always a good thing for a French couple), found a gorge (tricky in our camping car), found an alternate route ...

In the gorge - narrow roads and cars parked everywhere. The river -swimming holes, lots of people, weirs - obviously a popular place, also for walking. So we started climbing. Fairly narrow but our trustee driver manages. Looked at the nav map and saw big climbing and switchbacks ... and an alternate route saving 13minutes. Yeh! There were still 4 switchbacks, and we stopped at one - wow, how far we had come, how high, magnificent.

And then we were along the ridge - could have been in a valley. The air was clear. We came into the town of La Blaquererie and nav lady said turn left: ever obedient! As it was narrow and getting narrower, Suzanna got out and walked up the road to see where “Aire Naturelle de la Canoles” might be. Saw a lady in a house and called out - she invited me in when I told her what I was looking for: the start of the conversation was confusing because I mentioned ‘Càmping car’ - Lo and behold across the road was a Càmping car: it was theirs! I think she thought I might want to rent it!

Inside of a French house in an ‘ancient’ town - lovely white and blue kitchen, coffee machine (not big but a real one), table in the middle - husband sitting there. Had voile type curtains, including curtains at the door opening into the house, with weights on them - a nice solution to having the door open but no fly screens. Really steep stone steps, quite high, into the house.

She spoke to her husband, who phoned the campground, and then indicated he would show me the way. Out he came, into the shed, put the dog away, and bought out his trusty bicycle. Down the narrow road we went, found James as the local Priest - outside the church - was about to accost him! Haha.

Off we went, down the road, round some narrow roads (for want of a better word!) with high walls and bends - and we breathed in deep - and saw more of this ancient town. Incredibly old and ancient houses and then you see a garden out the back and some furniture- someone lives there. But having been in one I understood that they use the walls, create other ones and modernise in a complementary manner.

Out onto the main road, a km down the road and in he turned down a fairly rough road, to meet Raymond - Suzanna had spoken to his wife. A brief chat and Robert was about to take off home - a quick shake hands. Shake hands with Raymond, directed into a spot, chose one and we were settled.

Wow, peace and quiet. This is a spot owned by a farmer. He has power, toilets and showers, somewhere to wash up, a fridge for campers - fairly basic but good. Heaven. There are what look like Roman walls. A caravan in one nook, a tent in another, a man in a hammock.

A walk around found more interesting sights and what looks like troglodytes places. How fascinating. Came across two families walking around. There was a van in another spot, so maybe they were camping.

The man in the hammock went for a walk and during my walki came across him rock climbing - he had a thick mat underneath him. A broken French conversation later he said he used to climb and does it to stay fit/in touch.

An ‘older’ couple arrived back, they were the caravan people. And about 7pm a woman in say her 50s to the tent - she left about 9 am: guessing she lives there and works.

What a lovely day, and we ate a lovely meal, wine and some of the new Armagnac we bought.

We don’t have a long day tomorrow, to Albi Via Millau so can take our time. This is very special. Had another chat to Eric (rock climber). James had written a poem we will send - another person invited to visit us! Gave him a koala, and also left one for Raymond.

Such a lovely uncommercial place. A wonderful place to chill. Speaking of which, the temperature dropped overnight and it was very chilly 14 in the morning. Where’s the sweater?

Friday 17/8. Wonderful to Albi
Always nice to thank nice people so after leaving Raymond a koala we headed back into Banquererie to say thanks to Raymond and Elizabeth. Not risking the narrow streets again James parked and Suzanna, with a bottle of wine and koala in hand retraced our steps.

Wow, this place is even better from this direction. But... they were not at home, so the wine was left on one of the steps, with koala tucked in behind. We hope they understand the gesture. Suzanna has let Raymond know.

Then off we went, towards the Millau viaduct. Amazing rock formations, reminded us of Talampaya in Argentina... smaller version, but, to describe, something like sculptures. Not far down the road the forecast came true, it worse ... rain like hail, so heavy we could hardly see. Good we had decided to go the motorways today. Add to the rain ... we were in cloud. Just the day we wanted to see this amazing viaduct. Well, we think it may be better than on a sunny day. Wow, wow.

We stopped at the info centre but it was raining so hard it wasn’t worth getting wet - and the bridge was behind a hill, so no better views. Oh well. Off onto the motorways again, the rain pelting down and visibility about 50m some of the time. Scaredy-cat Suzanna was scaredy-cat.

After a while the rain stopped but we remained in the cloud for quite a while. Found a Boulangerie that was just shutting. and so onto Albi.

We found the campground, wasted some time looking for LPG station to refill ... and failed for now... and then settled in, phew. What a lovely place, with huts, caravans - including replicas of those American silver ones - activities for kids, a lovely pool.

We decided to try the restaurant and were not disappointed. Had a great chat the chef - he is very well travelled. There was a disco on for the kids and a jumping castle and that looked like fun.