La Chebuette - 5 November 2022

Was feeling pretty fed-up yesterday as Condor had cancelled - to make matters worse - for me anyway - the carpark starting filling up. Right behind us at Cholet was the football stadium. People were arriving hours before, kick off was 7.30pm ish? Anyway, loud speakers must have been close by, and why do sports commentators sound so demented when they get so excited? Just had to live through it - and eat more chocolate!

I had enough meals left until Monday - last night was chicken in a white wine sauce with rice and sweet corn. Only two frozen meals left!

You would have thought by now we’d be good at packing. Each trip we hone it down, and try to take just basic essentials. Apart from - my clothes! Unworn - I have six dresses, at least five ‘bottoms’ - shorts/skirts/trousers, lots of t-shirts and quite a few smarter tops, ie not just t-shirts. In my mind, the Italians dress to impress, and I naively thought I’d be changing to go out for dinner! Ha, we usually had lunch out in whatever we were wearing. Will I be better packing next time? Doubtful - there’s always - just in case…

We’re hoping that in a fortnight we don’t receive unwanted post. Yesterday when Tintin was driving, we were flashed by a speed camera. Co-pilot said we were in a 90 zone, Tintin was doing 86. There’s some discrepancy about whether the speed is 80 or 90kph. It used to be 90, it was changed to 80 for safety reasons - but some départements seem to vary what it is - maybe Co-pilot isn’t up to date enough?

The standard speeding fine is €135, if you pay within 15 days it’s €90. However, lots of sites on Google seem to be of the opinion that since Brexit, the data shouldn’t be available to locate us in Guernsey. We’ll have to wait and see. What’s even more of an issue is that you don’t have to be ‘flashed’. Average speed cameras do not flash as other fixed speed cameras do. This is because they use infra-red light to read your number plate in low light and poor weather conditions - so there is no visual indication of having been caught speeding…

Dave might have been trundling along at 125kph when I’ve been driving, but only on motorways where 130kph is the limit. However, my husband was quick to advise the error of my ways - fuel consumption went up, so I’m back to driving more sedately!

We had a slow start this morning. Walked to a boulangerie not far away. Well, if we’re still in France - got to at least enjoy the best of France!

I only drove for about an hour today. We stopped at a SuperU for GPL. Snag less! Tintin filled up, nobody to ask questions like in Italy - also the filler was the right side for us, a new station, and very easy.

To arrive alongside the Loire where we are in Levée de la Divatte wasn’t quite so easy on the very last bit. Didn’t fancy where Co-pilot was taking us. The road taking us up onto the main road was very steep, the kind that once Dave was going, he wasn’t stopping for anyone! Anyway, there’s no one else here and tomorrow we might just have to drive in the wrong direction for a while before we can turn around!

Was a joy to have a proper baguette for lunch! Decided we needed to get out cycling. Just after Tintin got the bikes out, it started to rain, but was short lived.

No photos, but we’d just arrived and saw lots of long tailed tits in the tree alongside - haven’t seen many at home recently.

Over 18 miles cycle today, crossing the Loire to Oudon and back. Not the standard of cycle path that’s usual in France - mostly bumpy, and muddy and slippery in places due to recent rain.

The bridge across looks new, I like the fact it’s painted mauve, maybe because the town is called Mauves-sur-Loire?!

We spotted the beautiful black and brown dog, but no owner. It had a collar on, think it was young - very white teeth. Wouldn’t come to us - I hope he found his way home…

Next up, a very friendly pretty cat. She looked either pregnant - or fat! Reminded me a bit of Millie, just paler! Good to stroke a little fur ball again 😊

Oudon (population c.4,000) seemed a nice little town. It had different sculptures to look at too.

Does anyone know what type of goat these are? Brown body, black undercarriage and legs - maybe chamoisee/e?

Also saw a white heron, plus lots of others - but only had my iPhone, so distant photo!

By then, it had started to drizzle, so we whizzed back. Luckily it eased off, and the wind probably dried us off. The bikes however have probably never been this dirty. Secretly, think Tintin is looking forward to snow-foaming them!

Time for a cup of tea and the treats we bought earlier. Not sure what the flaky pastry one is called - yummy - chewy like toffee, but crispy pastry and the cookie was more cake like than biscuit - but still good!

Thank you Brian for your suggestions of where to go in the next few days - I’m on it for more research!