Ah well the day arrives…yesterday we vegged out in our lovely rooms watching dear Laura Kenny power to success in the Madison in the middle room, occasionally clearing up, swabbing floors, reading upstairs, having snacks on the terrace. So nice not to have to go anywhere. All packed and car loaded ready for the off today. It was day 1 of the fête so we were lulled to sleep (ha ha) by the thrum of heavy music up in the square and woken periodically by loud shouts in the street below but all in all we managed to snore the hours away until dawn.
Out of the house at 6.30 and off to Monteux for a swab up the nose. There was already a short queue at 7 when we got there but it was relatively swift and we were back home by 8 or thereabouts. Then the final sorting of food to take and rubbish to chuck, water drained, shutters shut, power off, busy lizzies left for Barbara next door.Black clouds ahead and by the time we stopped for coffee and croissants in Villeneuve de Berg in the Ardèche it was raining! And did so for the whole way up the valley. Only 13 degrees!! life improved from then on and we had a sunny ride up the pretty valley of the Allier arriving in Issoire at 3.30. Supper across in the park at Le Petit Mas which was very nice until I scattered bilberry tart all over my white trousers! Aagh. They are currently (😀) soaking in cold water and salt which for some reason Adrian had sachets of in his bag. But obviously won’t be wearable tomorrow…
Just now the phone pinged. It was our test results and with much trepidation I struggled to log in and save them. Not used to these Sms things and how to or even where to save them. Plus it is a poor signal in the room, but Phew they are negative. We’d been wondering where to spend our isolation if they were positive. I mean who would know!Anyway, tomorrow it’s Amboise and the Loire where we will obtain our final wine allocation from Oisly Thésée. Then Monday up the river and the Cotentin to Cherbourg for the overnight to Portsmouth on Galicia their new ship. Bullsmead Tuesday afternoon in time to receive the Sainsbury delivery.
