After the exciting weather patterns of the last few days, Monday morning got cracking with a bright start, ideal for today's drive through the Dordogne & the Lot to this evening's planned stop near Albi.
Taking the back roads once again, we re-crossed the river Dordogne to pass through, or should l say under, the perilously perched La Roque Gageac. The drive through the village was hampered somewhat by traffic lights thanks to work being undertaken to reinforcement the road & river bank due to what looked like undermining by the strong river currents.
The route to Albi meandered onward through picture perfect villages of mellow stone, deserted roads & broad leaved woodland. As we left the Dordogne for The Lot , the properties & villages became noticeably less pristine despite having similar countryside to that of its neighbour. The thought was that there was less wealth here & fewer Holiday homes?
After a quick re-stock at Cahors, notably a few bottles of one of my favourite French wines, we continued on our way, Interesting, the roads around Cahors seemed to be popular with motorhomers, mainly Dutch & German; it did cross my mind that they were avoiding the motorway tolls. The nearest we got to an actual autoroute was driving under the A20 at Caussade. From here the road was near deserted, the only traffic being agricultural involved in the automated vendange which was now in full swing. No romantic hand picking of the grape harvest here thank you very much!
The planned overnight stop was to be at the Domaine Vayssette, a member of the France Passion scheme . We turned off the D564 & drove down the sweeping drive, bordered by vineyards just dripping with grapes. On ringing the bell, Madame nipped out & directed us to the motorhome parking area, a car park with a seriously fantastic view, a real wow factor with the the most amazing views across the countryside but, despite the welcome, we decided not to stop as they were so very busy, l know what it's like during harvest here, but would love to return at a quieter time of year.
A quick rehash to plan B. The GPS set to Albi & the camping site Albirondack Park. The site was fairly easy to find thanks to the sat-nav. In France we use the GPS settings as opposed to postcode, so as long as we remember to listen to The Voice at junctions it's hard to get lost, well that's the theory any way. The Voice guided us through road works to a residential area, 'simples'. We duly arrived at the barrier. It looked rather smart. It was as though a little bit of America had dropped off into French Suburbia all Yellowstone Park.
Now, normally when you arrive everything is, well, pretty laid back really but here er, not so. After waiting for signs of life in a large reception area & restaurant resplendent with resident moose head & totem poles, I was whisked off in golf buggy, to be shown a pitch which was available for one night & another that was free for two nights. Eventually l was deposited back at reception & able to return to husband who was looking a little peeved at being locked outside for what must have been almost half an hour.
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The site itself has been massively re-furbished, as in all very new & money no object. The campsite was set amongst mature fir trees & mainly packed with log cabins, a few airstreams for rental then probably about 10 motorhome pitches. The staff were very helpful & it was rather funny watching them whizzing around in their buggies taking new arrivals to see the available pitches. Extra facilities included in the pitch fee included a heated outdoor pool & spa facilities, which l did try out later that evening.
Later that evening, we perambulated along the Echappee Vert down to the old town via the 2km trail that ran through managed woodland doted with various bits of imposing sculpture. Unfortunately however, we didn't quite get there due to falling light & my habit of wearing flip flops or 'jandals' making the crossing of the Caussels stream by stepping stones a bit of a non-starter.
Today's mileage = 111miles
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