2018-09 -09 at Lassay sur Croisne

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at Lassay sur Croisne

No driving today, a relaxing day at Lassay sur Croisne.

7.30am and quite cold, 7°C, I look out of the window, in the grey, early morning light the lake is covered with an eerie carpet of mist. As I look again I can see that the water is steaming as the rising sun warms the surface. A single heron stands in the middle of the lake fishing. It is surreal, I have to remind myself I am in rural France. We get up slowly and have breakfast. It is a clear blue, cloudless sky but the mat and chairs left out overnight are covered in a heavy layer of dew which dries quickly as the sun rises. Our neighbours are stirring, the late arrivals are Spanish, and he stands smoking by the lake. The others are setting up breakfast in the shade of the weeping willow tree by the lake. The person calls again and collects the €5 from the late arrivals and chats amicably to everyone.

The Spanish pair pack up and leave… I am puzzled why they stopped here and not in a layby off the side of the road, there are many in this area. The day is clear and sunny, the lake has an abundance of birds and we decide to stay another night. We walk round the lake and then to the Chateau du Moulin about 1.5km walk along a single-track road through forest. Except that, after about one km, there is a fence and gate across the road with a wooden hut/kiosk where it is necessary to pay an entrance fee of €7 pp just to get through the gate giving access to the land and chateau (parking is free outside the gate) or €9.50 to go into the chateau for a guided tour. We decide that €14 just to go and look is too much so turn around and walk back through the village to the Aire.

After lunch we sit in the shade by the lake reading, writing (House of Dreams) and Mr C. paints. It is hot and sunny, about 32°C, we have a very relaxing afternoon. A young family of Brits arrive, they have two little boys, the older one so like one of our grandchildren. Daddy, Daddy come and run with me; Daddy Daddy there’s a monster chasing you… I will spray it with dirty water from the lake; Daddy Daddy… He keeps us amused most of the afternoon.

We have an early tea of turkey stir fry, plan a route a route south for tomorrow and have an early night, again accompanied by the twit-twoo of the tawny owl.

Our trek through France and Northern Spain

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Summary of motorhome journey through France and Northern Spain