OK, so after a fortnight it really is time to do some laundry. To be fair, the laundry bag is in the double floor of the van (out of sight, out of mind) and we were still OK for underwear but….the time had come. Good old Google Maps found us a 24hour “laverie” outside the Intermarche supermarket in Seurre, which coincidentally was our next stop. After finally finding a parking spot we took our IKEA bag (yes that much) of laundry and used both washing machines and the tumble dryer. A late breakfast in the van while all this was happening and soon we were freshly on our way to the Camping Car Park aire in Seurre. It costs about €11 a night, but includes electric hookup, fresh water and water dumping. Also, it has proper pitches like a campsite, so we can “legally” use the BBQ and hang the washing to air.
Ooh, look, another Hymer in the aire and it’s British! The owner, Steve, came over for a chat soon. We talked Hymers and travels. Turns out he’s been retired for 21 years…sheesh, he looked only in his early 60s…
After a walk into town, we had the promised BBQ…yummy! Late evening was spent gazing over the marina opposite. Later on we were “serenaded”, if that’s the word, by the loud screech of an owl in the tree above us…..Cripes, he certainly sounded big, though we didn’t see him. An early-ish night for us.
Next morning and we hear the distant sound of the commentator for the Seurre Triathlon which is happening today. Oh if only we’d brought our running kit, swimwear and racing bikes….oh well.
After our croissant/ pain-au-choc and strong coffee breakfast, we head out on the Voie Bleu cycle route which takes us along the riverside then into open countryside.
We both agree the landscape is reminiscent of our Dutch holiday last year, except we aren’t among hundreds of cyclists. In fact we only encounter 2 cars and no cyclists and just one canal barge.
We stop at Charnay les Chalon, where there is a beautiful church with a Bourgoyne style tiled roof. The church was not open but we could peek through the internal glass door.
Returning to Seurre, the triathlon is in full swing. We cycle along a route manned by Gendarmerie and Marshals and imagine we’re the winners. These triathlons are a doddle.
Back at camp, Andrew had wisely decided to BBQ early, and just as he finishes cooking , the rain starts, so we beat a retreat into the van. All outside furniture and the bikes are stowed away and the “welcome” rain continues into the evening. Music, reading, maybe some Rummikub- that’s the wet evening plan. Oh, and there’s a bottle of white to finish, of course!