Saturday October 13, Capdenac-Gare

October 14, 2018

Saturday October 13, Capdenac-Gare

Near tonight's camping spot.

With the sun hidden behind clouds for much of the day and the autumn leaves blowing around, the seasons really feel like they are changing, and I am not sure that I am ready for this!!! Hearing that spring weather in NZ has brought cold temperatures and snow with even a fall on Mount Tarawera overnight, so can’t complain.

Thoroughly enjoyed our stop at the vineyard last night, and todays drive would have to be up there with one of our favourites as we travelled north on the D922, great road, very little traffic and passing through beautiful rolling countryside. Initially we continued through the wine growing Gaillac region before more farming land and lots of patches of trees.

First stop was to be Cordes-sur-Ciel that was rated as a particularly interesting village with a camper car park not too far from the old town. But as we were driving in noticed cars everywhere, parked in little spots and people wandering the streets, then came across a very big market on both sides of the street below the town. Realised that the chances of finding a parking spot was zilch and we sadly passed through, me checking out the great market stalls that I was missing out on and Ian making sure he drove through safely. Guess you win some, and lose some.

Continued on the 922 really enjoying the scenery and stopped at the small town of La Fouillade. Top marks to the town who had provided a parking area for motorhomes on the main road with a short walk to the village. Wandered into town and found the boulangerie and met the nicest owner who after buying some bread and finding out we were from NZ, sent us off with 4 small macaroon cakes. Asked for her photo behind the counter but she wanted a photo taken with us!! She couldn’t speak English but we communicated just fine.

Had found a nice camping spot beside the Lot River in Capdenac-Gare and decided to have a late lunch when we got there and a lazy afternoon. Ended up having much difficulty with the machine at the entrance which required you to enter your details and put in your credit card. That took ages as it didn’t like my NZ email address so had to use Steve’s address in UK (thanks!!!), and finally it spat out the card and my credit card. Then had to scan the card in front of the reader to open the barrier. But it did not accept the new card I had got. Continued on for some minutes without luck. Spotted 2 other campers already parked in the camp so went in and asked them for some advice. Luckily struck an English couple who could tell us that it can take some time for a newly registered card to be recognised. After 15 minutes it still wouldn’t let us in, and I had paid €13 for it!! As we don’t have a phone with us, they very kindly rang the help number and finally they registered the card and we were able to get in. Turned out to be a very late lunch but a lovely peaceful spot right beside the river and a very relaxing afternoon with a nice walk along Lot to a weir.