The Loire - Saumur Continued

09.05

Walked along the Loire from our campsite, across the bridge to the left bank and the pretty town of Saumur with its maze of narrow, cobblestone streets.  Made our way up the hill to the 13^th Century Chateau that dominates the town and has spectacular views of the Loire below. 

 Found a Decathlon store and purchased new towels and managed to lose my hat first day out!

10.05

Quiet day today with a small walk around our camp island and an afternoon around the newly opened pool with it’s Chateau view.

 

 

11.05

 

“On ya bikes” was the call for today and our first real attempt at a distance ride with Pam's bionic knee and my limited fitness levels. Rode along the Loire, passed the Troglodyte caves and vineyards to Chateau Montsoreau, made famous by Alexandre Dumas and his novel “La Dame de Montsoreau, 30k return trip and a welcome swim in the pool.  Roast pork for dinner and feeling the effects somewhat, an early night.


12.05

 

Bodies still a little stiff and sore and not much sleep so another rest day.  Walked into town for supplies and an afternoon of reading in our comfy chairs and enjoying the warmth of the sun.  Pamo also found a friend relaxing under his umbrella!

13.05

 

Another beautiful day and we hit the road following the Loire River via an old haunt Langeais then Tours.  The first signs of the red Poppies are appearing in the fields alongside the wheat, we’re here slightly earlier than in 2013, June is a great time to see the Loire flowers.  A grocery shop at Super U, always takes longer than we plan as they never cease to amaze us with the great selection of not only food and drink but goods that are normally found in camp shops, motoring shops, fashion outlets, parfumeries and so the list goes on, not to mention the well catered and cost effective restaurants.  We’re heading South East following the Vienne and the Cher Rivers through beautiful old villages, spotting the Chateaux, lush scenery dotted with vineyards and farmsteads. 

We stopped on the outskirts of a small village before Chateauroux for a picnic lunch by a pretty pond.  Onward to Culan with it’s splendid Chateau and our chosen ‘Aires Camp’ which we decided was too noisy and more like a truck stop so continued to our second option in Le Chatelet.  A great spot on the outskirts of the village near a park.  Joined later by another French camper which made us feel more secure for the night.  Serenaded to sleep by the frogs.

 

14.05

 

Good we stocked up yesterday as it’s another public holiday today!  We thought we’d take advantage of a little petrol station we found still open around midday and Col decided to also check the tyres.  The Madam kindly gave us the required pump and unbeknown to us locked up and left.  Unfortunately one of the tyres proved to be a problem, our quick stop turned into an hour before we were back on the road.  We headed via Montlucon and Roanne and rolling countryside and cattle farmsteads,  gaining in elevation.  

A narrow windy rural road took us down to our ACSI Campsite set on the shores of a reservoir. 
The Campsite is in St. Paul-de-Vezelin and called D’Arpheuilles. 
It has canoes for rent, hills to explore and a swimming pool.  A great spot!  14 Euros. 

It borders on the Massif Central but surprisingly is still part of the Loire. 
 

Had a quick walk around part of the lake and saw an enormous cat fish caught.  Pleased to see him released after photos taken.

Back to Lefty and tucked ourselves in, it’s late and the rain is coming!

 

15.05
 

Rain during the night but clear by morning so we decided to hike into ‘Le Bois de Cievre’ forest before the next bout.  We hiked up to the viewpoint of the camp and reservoir.  A dam was created in the Loire in the late 70’s to form the reservoir and provide electricity.  Back home just in time as the rain returned and set in for the night.  If you look closely at the right hand photo you can see Lefty on his site.

16.05

 

A great day for biking!  We set off up the 2km hill, phew, to the top and a wonderful landscape of rolling hills, cattle farmsteads dotted with small villages.  Along the narrow, quiet, blissful country roads to the tiny village of Danse (a great name!) where we ate our banana filled baguette under the trees.  Back towards the camp and a look at St. Paul-de-Vezelin.  A very pretty rural ride which got the legs going.  Got the lazy chairs out and blobbed in the sun overlooking the reservoir.