The
map shows a bright red squiggly line on the only road we can take out of
Boulieu. This means it’s steep with hair pin bends. We are near the Massif
Central so hills are to be expected – but all we seem to do is climb up
monstrous hills. Please let us have a flat road!
Despite
the incline the scenery is awesome. We climb through thick pine woods on either
side heading towards the delightfully named St Etienne (sadly it’s an industrial
forgettable place).There is definitely a hint of the Alps here as we pass heavily gabled Alpine lodges.
We
don’t have a stopping place in mind for this evening, so this is a journey into
the unknown. Our only aim is to get near to Roanne (little do we now about what
lies in wait!) The weather is awful. The rain is steady, the sky grey and we
are passing though instantly forgettable towns. Similar to a journey through
Birmingham on a wet November evening. Grim.
We
find a campsite: La Route Bleu at Balbigny where we are greeted with a warm
welcome and friendly helpfulness from Nicole and Philippe. For €16 we’ve got
what seems to be half a country estate to park up in, hook up, there’s a pool, spotless
facilities and there’s a river (the Loire) we can fish and everything. C’est bon.
Unfortunately it’s still pissing down so we ignore all these delights and head
straight for the bar for a quick beer before supper (note, ‘before supper’). The
bar is closed when we get there, just les patrons and a mate sitting down to a
bottle of red wine; nonetheless they very sweetly welcome us in for a nightcap
(just a swift one).
6
hours later we stumble back to the van, totally and utterly ruined by one of
the finest examples of French hospitality in the world ever. The two Philippes
and Nicole have plied us with all manner of weird and wonderful French booze, (What
was that bloody clear stuff??) There
have been tunes, shapes have been thrown and we are armed with a dinner
invitation for Friday, where we are due to dine on a freshly shot Boar. For
health reasons and commitments further north we have to leave, boo. Do love the French, a really wonderful fun
evening, thanks all!
All starts fairly calmly...
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And swiftly degeneratess!
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Sad to leave...
