We've been promised a storm and all day huge clouds were massing to the west but as yet...nothing. We have vivid blue sky and temps into the mid twenties so after our market stop we headed Rhônewards to discover new things.
We like to find river confluences and Adam requested that we found that of the Cèze and Rhône. It's as good a hook to pin an explore on as any and we usually discover new places on these forays. The starting point was the CNR barrage at Caderousse. Luckily as we arrived a barge was in the lock.
Fidelity by name. As it passed beneath us we could see it was empty and had none of the usual domestic accoutrements such as bikes, a spare car, flower pots, etc. And the name on the stern was half painted out with no port of registry. So, had it been sold, was it headed for the scrap heap? Who knows.
Moving on, down a dirt road and to one side of the confluence. Quite interesting, but we could see a better spot on the far side. Our bit had a dire warning in various languages about venturing onto the edge of the Cèze. We needed to get round to the other side and en route detour to a little town called Laudun l'Ardoise where there is a hilltop gallo roman settlement, a vast fortified church and, amazingly a mini Pont du Gard!
It really is a fine little place and we'll go back another time to walk the hilltop. But today we settled for a climb up to the château gardens and a peek at the aqueduct. It is built in the same style as the Roman one, using the same materials and techniques but just tiny! And it goes through gardens into a modern estate!
Then a tortuous drive down unmarked lanes round the port until we got to the desired spot where there was of course a camper van with
umbrella and a couple sitting reading at their table! And a small port where access was forbidden - barges moored up loaded with gravel.
This is Adam's photo of the sluices letting excess water out of the river.
Back home to threatening clouds. Hope the rain holds off as it's pizza at the bar and Eurovision here! Can't afford a break in transmission.
