If there is one good thing to emerge from the crazy petrol prices, it is that I am more than happy to visit new places much closer to home. I really do appreciate that I am very fortunate that I can afford to go away so often, even if my trips away are relatively cheap. Many are struggling at the moment and belts are being tightened by just about everyone I know.

So, another ‘local’ podding holiday, this time just over 100kms from home in the Sud Charente – south Charente area. I really wanted to get away before the schools finished for the summer break…mid-July and August is usually absolute bedlam in France, with sites crowded, loads of kids yelling and screaming, and generally a lot of places become ‘party central’! Not that I’m against people having fun and enjoying themselves…it’s really lovely to see people having a good time and certainly immersing themselves in the freedom that camping allows. I just prefer the quieter time.

The site was very quiet – only 2 other campers! At least it gave me the choice of almost any pitch I wanted, and this nice spot right by the River Dronne suited me well.

I was in the small village of Saint Aulaye, right on the Charente/Dordogne border, and as I mentioned, on the River Dronne.

You wouldn’t believe the noise that the birds and frogs made! Thankfully they seemed to ‘knock off work’ by nightfall, but during the day it was really lovely to listen to them and to watch the antics of the various birds. I suppose being a campsite, the birds are always on the lookout for a tasty crumb here and there, and I even had birds hopping right into the doorway of the awning. Maggie just didn’t know what to make of them, and just lay there, looking at them! Perhaps she knew that the effort of trying to catch them was just too exhausting…and it was 30c.

With the sun beating down and everything all set up for our stay, there was only one option….relax!

A good book, nice food, beautiful countryside and a very welcome drink…what more could I want?

A Bientot!