Monday 24th May

A public holiday, we understand, the first Monday after Pentecost. Decided to up sticks and move, but before we did, had a scare with Bryn. Weather still very hot, so took him an early gentle walk alongside the River Saone, before heading back to site. Large black French dog came bothering him, much to his annoyance. He was growling as is his want, on the lead, pulling hard towards it, in defence not attack. The French owner came out, apologetic as theirs was not on a lead. Then Bryn collapsed, onto his side, and struggled to get up. Frightened both me and the French person. I scooped him up, just wanting to get him back, which was only one minute away. Chris came out and we lay him quietly on the grass. I remembered then that when Bryn was young, he did have a tendency to vomit after gorging on grass, followed by collapsing on his side. After a minute or so, he would recover totally, and carry on his walk as if nothing had happened. And this, basically, was what happened here. He was up and seemed as happy as Larry. Made sure he rehydrated after his walk, and nothing else showed up. Animals are like this; they have “a moment” then seem to forget about it, where we humans worry. Well we were underway after making sure he was OK, and had a gentle drive along the A7 through Villefranche-sur-Saone through Macon until we got on the outskirts of Chalon-sur-Saone. Are we never to get away from this river? We quickly picked up some signs to a campsite “Camping du Pont de Bourgogne” in, frankly, a not very appealing area. Stick it out, we did, to be rewarded by the simply the best site so far. No children’s facilities, other than a sparse play area, but short grass, reasonably spacious emplacements, but the sanitary block to die for. Obviously new, spotlessly clean, with copious hot water. We decided to book immediately for two days, at 16 Euros per day. Overlooking the Saone, the only downside were the evening mosquitos.

Sunday 23rd May

Decided to move on, although took our time getting going. Had a last attempt at downloading the POIs for the ACSI campsites with the same result. Why don’t I learn? Took Bryn a wander down the farm track but even then it was getting warm. Managed to get under way around 11am, but where to? Once again, selected a town at random (almost) and chose it as our target. We decided St Etienne, but not via any peage Autoroutes. Eventually joined the N7 and navigated along the banks of the Rhone, sometimes Rive Gauche, other times Rive Droit. Quite fun and very pretty. Realised we were driving past the vineyards of Cote du Rhone. Also many cherry farms (cerise) seems awfully early, surely they should be ripening around September. Are there any seasons any more for fruit? Followed signs to a campsite which, frankly, was far too fancy for us, but it took us about 8 miles away from the N7, so had to double back. Eventually found ourselves approaching Lyon, so decided that the A7 (non-peage) was the best solution for that, so joined the road we had used so many times in the past for our trips to and from the south of France. Left the A7 as soon as the peage signs arrived, not through money saving but we were never going to find any camp sites off an Autoroute. We picked up a sign in Anse, between Lyon and Villefranche-sur-Saone (yes, the same Saone we camped alongside last Tuesday) and followed to a delightful, if rather expensive site at 21 Euros per night. Camping Les Portes du Beaujolais. Again, too many facilities for our needs, but clean, spacious with short very green grass. Must rain a lot around here! But not today. Very warm. Settled in shade of some broad-leafed tree I should recognise but don’t, and enjoyed a lovely evening in a quiet site, mix of French, Dutch, Brits and Germans. Probably move on tomorrow.

Saturday 22nd May

Decided to stay today. Sun rising – heat also. In reality, this site has too many facilities for our needs. Not another English family on the site. By far the majority are French, with Dutch in second place, Germans and Swiss in 3^rd and 4^th and poor us in last place. Bit like Jeux sans Frontieres all over again! More attempts at the free Internet only ended in frustration. Full of adverts and slow connections, no, will not bother again. Shall we leave tomorrow? Probably. We will decide in the morning. Amused ourselves watching the French with their petanques. Decided to leave our boules in the MH.

Friday 21st May

Set off without any particular destination in mind, except out of the Alps which seemed to be holding the cloud. Eventually negotiated the traffic jam that is Grenoble, which appeared to be scruffier than you would imagine. Bryn taking up his position between the two front seats, in line with the air conditioning (which is used more for his benefit than ours). But as we drove west, the sun started to shine directly on him, and he started to look uncomfortable. Little bit of imagination and we used a coat stretched between the two front seats to shield the direct sun off his back. Had the added bonus of creating a “cold zone” near him and he settled quickly. What we do for our pets! Sometime today, and I cannot remember when, refuelled with 46.5 litres after 268 miles (5.73 miles per litre -26 mpg). In map reading decided as a point to head for a town called Crest, and having left the autoroute, came across a campsite east of Valence called La Grande Lierne, Chabeuil. Very commercial, with a swimming pool, but we were able to choose our own pitch from about six. Should have taken our compass with us when choosing, as our pitch had trees between us and Astra! Oh well. The unexpected bonus was that it was an ACSI site, which meant us paying 15 Euros per night (plus the inimitable Taxe de Sejour) which meant we could have three nights for 48 Euros. This would do. Free Wifi as well! But when we tried to use it that evening, after a large influx of French campers, the connection was too slow to be practical.

Thursday 20th May

Away fairly prompt, heading south. But where to? Had a destination in mind south of Lyon to get a little more sun, but not sure exactly where. Stopped for a break on an Autoroute where Chris struck up a conversation with an English couple with a holiday home in Annecy, they recommended the area with lots of campsites. That was it then, Annecy it was. Had a pleasant drive there, with the mountains looming in the distance. As we neared, the snow topped Alps where in plain view, quite clear. Very impressive and quite awe inspiring. Chose the third site we found, the first one was the municipal, which although very good, was high up a hill and offered little in the way of dog walks. The second was tiny, with a friendly woman doing the best to persuade us to stay, but finally accepting gracious defeat when the road noise was mentioned. The third was called Camping au Coeur de Lac, which still did not offer too much in the way of dog walks, but at least it was easy walking along the “piste cyclable”. The sun was lovely, the published temperature 21, but did not feel that warm as the lake made the wind positively chilly. Our neighbour was a German in a small campervan who was a radio ham, setting up two large aerials, or at least mounts like fishing poles and a wire strung between. In trying to set up our satellite signal, discovered I had left the compass on the roof of the MH. How did that stay up there? We had been on all sorts of roads, including autoroutes. Unable to get decent satellite reception, all we managed to get was Czech news. That’s it, cool and no telly. Move on tomorrow.

Wednesday, 19th May

Second day at Pontailler sur Saone. Walked into town, went into the Tourist Information office – seeking internet connection. Available there but only on their computer at 11 cents a minute. Daft price really, not making any profit but not reflecting the cheapness of internet connections. However, had to use their computer with a French keyboard, q where the a is and all that! Managed to check the banking and get the phone number for Pentagon GPS. Had a coffee in the PMU and walked back. Managed to get through (eventually) to Pentagon where “Shane” told me it seemed to be a software fault and tried to get me to ring Garmin support on an 0808 number. No chance! Whatever would be decided was not going to resolve the problem, so left it at that for now. At least I have “logged” the call. Grey day after sunny but chilly day on Tuesday, so decided to clean up the MH. Chris cleaned the inside, and I got stuck into the outside. Managed to get three sides clean before the sun eventually broke through. Very successful that evening with satellite connection, picking up BBC1, BBC2 and ITV1.