Whereas last night we did not want to call too much attention to ourselves, this morning we turned on the overhead lights in our shelter. So we had light, power, water, tables, and a roof. Wow!
Back on the canal, it looked exactly the same as for the past three days. change was in the offing, though, because the canal ends long before Bordeaux. Actually it ended for us at Fontet, where we unceremoniously took a right and left the canal. Part of the lack of ceremony was the failure of the canal path people to indicate that this was the way to Bordeaux. In fact, we were left to noodle our way up to Sauveterre de Guyenne. At Sauveterre is the start of the Roger Lapebie bike path, which goes to Latresne, which is almost at Bordeaux.
Back on the same old canal, but the blur makes it look like we are moving fast!
We researched this little monument a bit, found a second hand account from the blog of a French cyclist. He says the crew of the steam boat Gascon was hanging out in the cafe and forgot to have enough water in the engine, which then exploded.
The way we found to Sauveterre took us up into the vines, and an environment that felt familiar, maybe from the Rhone. Here were stone villas and wine estates, straight out of a Peter Mayle (Year in Provence) or Frances Mayes (Under the Tuscan Sun) book. We tested the grapes and gave them our expert approval!
Sauveterre interestingly still has its four original gates intact, though the walls are gone. The central square has the church a little to one side, and too much parking permitted in the middle, but it was still pleasant, and with two bakeries.
The bike path begins at the bottom of town, just out one of the gates. We realized after a bit thaf it was a rail trail, as we came to an unused station. On the flat smooth trail we made good time, but not good enough fo reach the only camping along the way. So, we started to look for a wild camp, and found it in the form of the former station at Espiet. The building is clearly under redevelopment as a restaurant, but is only partly done and seemingly on hold. The old washroom shack had an unlocked door with not only an apparently working toilet but a light that came on automatically. We also found a live water spigot outside the main building, plus some miscellaneous chairs and a small table.
So here we are again in a wild camp with water, toilet, table and chairs, and a concrete pad for the tent. No accessible power though. Darn!
The main interest for today is probably in the photos of various things we saw along the way. To understand what they are all about, you need to read the captions. For that to happen, I have to write them. Maybe by the time you read this, some or all will be there. If not, be sure to check back for them!
In Hure, Chez Lulu is the only store, but its pretty good. The baguette they had claimed to be baked according to the guidelines set down in the 1700s by Parmentier. Parmentier was mainly known for his work on potatoes, but was an expert on all starchy foods. The Parmentier references on the baguette bag are totallynserious qnd reflect the French devotion tomrradition and artisanal methods with food.
Tree pruning, to make them tall and straight for some reason. At first I thought the tractor had a circular collar saw, but the photo reveals a man in a bucket.
