The grand tour of France in a motorhome September 10th Day twelve

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We drive down to Le Puy where there is another evening light show across the small city. A quick stop off at the Carrefour in Issoine for a stock up. We have elected to drive on toll roads and just grin and bear the cost. Bip and Go tag seems to work fine. It will be a big shock when the invoice comes in at the end of the month.

We are staying on the municipal campsite which has good clean facilities and we have a spacious grass pitch under huge trees. It’s a tad damp but we will be able to drive on and off it with no problem. The site is in easy walking distance of the city centre.

 Our arrival was chaotic. The campsite entrance is off a double roundabout and major road through the city. The lead up road to the barrier can take around six moho’s. We were number four in the queue, making the mistake of arriving at 1330, half an hour before the campsite reopened after dinnertime. By 1350, moho’s and a big 4 x4 rig with large caravan were behind us and blocking part of the dual carriageway. A number of motorhomes were arriving and many had to keep on driving by and then go around the long double roundabouts again. It was chaotic carnage. As was the queue of women wishing to pay for their booking. Although Mag was fourth, several tried to push in ahead with no respect or manners. A complete free for all although Mag held her ground and the lady behind the desk instilled some order eventually. Queuing in an orderly, respectful manner, must be a British thing!  Quite funny really.

Now we are sat in the main town square having a lovely ice cream Sunday, people watching. Well Mag is people watching. I’m soaking up the architecture and the little urban nuances. It’s a ‘geographer’ thing. I’m always fascinated by doors and shutters, windows and wiring. I think in a new life I would quite like to be an urban architect/planner. There again, I’ve always wanted to be an astronomer and a TV presenter. Look how that ended up!

We have walked the main shopping streets, visited the Office de Tourisme, picked up some cycle maps for tomorrow and got the route for walking the light show tonight. The architecture is stunning; the church high on the volcanic dome absolutely breath-taking. The cathedral is beautiful and of an unusual interior design.

Postscript:

The light show are projections on various city buildings and some of them are very creative, especially the one in the main square. Well worth the stop off.

 Useful information:

Route: A75 – N102

Distance – 92 miles

Costs: Municipal Aire 19 Euros per night for grass pitch with tap and EHU alongside.