29. Sep, 2022

29. Sep, 2022

THURSDAY 29-09-22

It was a very peaceful night on our pitch of wet sand beside the lake at Camping Bon Sejour in Le Grau du Roi. Today we were on the move, gradually heading north on the way home.

The Chef was elected to be first away to the shower block, it's only fair as I went first yesterday. We normally set off together leaving the vehicle unlocked as there is a code of conduct between campers, and nobody's property gets touched, but there are now a lot more newcomers to camping in all its forms who may not have that same code of conduct, so when we're unsure we lock the vehicle while we're away or go individually.

Upon her return she reported that the shower water was no warmer than yesterday. Oh well, it had to be done, I'd just have to grit my teeth. The sand wasn't quite as wet this morning and by walking up the roadway to the toilet block I was able to rid  most of the sand from the bottom of my flip-flops before stepping in to the shower tray wearing them. Ooooohhh! It was like being at a 1950's boarding school but without the beatings.

Upon my return to sanctuary, I got dressed and began irrigating the trees with bucketfuls of our grey water, the final contribution being after The Chef had done the washing up.

Then it was the black water which was quite straightforward, then I spotted a French camper drawing water from a tap right on the boundary which was surrounded by vegetation. So I took a closer look and found one a bit further away on another boundary but without the puddles of water left by other campers. The flow rate was slow but I managed one ten-litre watering can full before returning for another. Only this time the little beggars were waiting for me, with only a couple of pints of water in the can I was set upon by loads of flying insect of all shapes and sizes. They'd been lying in wait for me within the vegetation. I was bitten good and proper, so that was that for topping up the fresh water tank. My next task was to cover my arms and legs with stripes of roll-on 'Jungle Formula' and fingertip's full of Antihistamine cream. What a concoction.

We were away in good time for a hassle-free trip of about sixty miles to Chusclan. And what's at Chusclan? I hear you ask. Well not a lot really. It's a nice little village with a large Co-operative wine producing facility who kindly provide a free Camperstop right across the road (N44.145448 E4.677239).

We had two tasks today. One was to buy some wine and the other was to make contact with the campsite at Orange where we'd planned to spend a couple of nights before setting off heading further north.

Buying the wine was easy enough, although the shop had suffered a 'refurbishment'. Before it, locals could come in carrying their own plastic containers which the shop filled from large wooden barrels and then charged accordingly, and there was the opportunity to taste wines before buying. Now it's all a bit posh, but as long as the wine is still good I don't mind. I bought a few boxes and a bottle of the same. So this evening we'll try the bottle to ensure we like it. If not I'll take the boxes back and swap them.

The processing plant was a hive of activity, I assume because they have just had the annual harvesting of the grapes, though with having had such a long hot summer they may have been harvested a little earlier.

After lunch The Chef managed to make contact with the campsite and they can take us for the next two nights as we requested. I suppose we'd have the option of extending it another day should we choose, but I think we'll be hitting the road.

Then it was a walk around the village. It looks as if it's had a make-over since we were last here. All the buildings look to have been sandblasted and re-pointed, it doesn't look as 'old France' as it used to. They've even built a new small public toilet block, though the old one containing Shanks Squatters is still there, I know because I checked. The boulangerie where The Chef used to pop to in the mornings for a baguette has gone all upmarket and has incorporated a small cafe as well.

So we're sorted for the day. Which, reading the internet news is more than can be said for home owners with large mortgages. If they can't afford the greatly increased repayments then they have their homes repossessed, then the councils have to find them temporary accommodation, then the banks sell their homes to recover their debt, quite often at an auction at less than market value, it doesn't bother them, just as long as they get back what they're owed.

If I were Quasimodo and pals I'd be looking to change the law so that in circumstances such as these Banks and Building Societies cannot call in the debt provided that the homeowner continues to pay the monthly amount which they did before the crisis. The difference between what they pay and what they were required to pay due to interest rate rises gets added to the mortgage. So at the end of it all they owe more but they keep their home.

I shall soon be enjoying tonight's culinary delight served by The Chef, with the added pleasure of trying the bottle of wine bought across the road earlier.

Tomorrow we're off to Orange.