Monday August 13, La Vialette

Lunch spot on the Ardeche River

It was quite a night, never have we experienced such thunder and lightning. We were woken at two by huge flashes of light that completely lit the sky and gradually it got more intense then we heard the thunder that reverberated down the gorge, it was like an orchestra playing. Then the rain came, belting down on the van, we pulled the bedroom windows shut and watched the display. Suddenly remembered the bathroom window was open …. yes, the wind and rain were blowing in…and I had left the vent open too. The bathroom had been cleaned!!! And within an hour it was all over and we could go back to sleep again.
After our really relaxing weekend we made plans to continue heading west but needed a stop at Super U before we left town to have a good stock up. Obviously, Monday morning is busy time after the weekend and it seemed to take ages. Finally, on the road as we headed out of town on the D578 which took us up an extremely windy, marrow and steep road over the summit at 1200 metres then down again to Vals-le Bains. All the time “the driver” abusing the French drivers for cutting the corners in their small zippy cars and vans! Amazing scenery, with small villages with their stone built houses. I love the fact that people often personalise their homes with brightly coloured shutters. Lavender seems to be a popular colour at the moment!
After the minor road over the summit we re-joined a “red Road”, N102 which was wider but very busy with traffic and especially lots of motorhomes. Wondering if people are returning from their holidays. We found a great little lunch spot beside the Ardeche River with a wonderful stone bridge.  Then it was a much easier drive with wider roads as we climbed another summit then back down again before turning west on the N102. The scenery has changed a lot, huge areas of arable farming then back to more grazing land. Had found an Aire at the town of Vielle Brioude which looked great for a night spot, the village looked amazing as we drove in but unfortunately all the spaces were taken. Had seen a municipal campground at nearby Vialette, on the Allier River and finally at 5pm we pulled in to a really nice, laid back camping area right beside the river, all for €10 a night. We have views over the river, beside a field of maize and I spotted an old church high up in the hills on the other side of the river. Maybe we might explore tomorrow.

Morning mist in Le Chaylard

The latest paint colour for shutters!

The fields of sunflowers have all ripened.

The Allier River by the camp.

"At home!"