Summer holiday 2002
Charente − France


Monday, 13th August

The day starts somewhat clouded with the sun peaking from behind the clouds every now and then. I get up early today because I need to bring the car to the workshop, remember! Picture this, the whole family pushing the car to the road that leads down to the lake and me jumping in quickly and letting the clutch come up, thus starting the car. I then drive to Montbron to the garage were I am given a "replacement" car while they are repairing mine. Returned at le Chat I shot the following picture. You'll be the judge, very French wouldn't you say? Needles to say that we stayed at the park.

There is one amusing detail that I just remembered when driving this car. Driving from and back to Montbron every Dutch car that I came across slowed down and very carefully drove near the edge of the road until I had passed. How about that!

Going walk-about!

Around 1:00 in the afternoon I decide to go for a walk. I leave through the rear entrance of the park, and follow the road that runs alongside the golf course la Preze, then straight ahead into the direction of Planchas, and then into the direction of Rouzède. This is a very nice route where you can really enjoy the French countryside.

After walking for while I come to the conclusion that I somehow had "lost my bearings". I wasn't really lost, not really. I know exactly where I was, I was in Charente, in France. No problem! I then figure that if I would make enough left turns, I would end up at the point of where I started. But for some weird reason though, the road just keeps on bending to the right, compensating for all the left turns that I take.

Finely I come across a road sign that points into the direction of Montbron. I figure that ones getting there, it will be simple to get back to le Chat since I have been to Montbron at least twice before. And according to the sign it is only 4 kilometres to Montbron! So I walk through Pouge and Lavaud into the direction of Montbron, crossing the Tardoire river at Lavaud. I walk up hill and down hill, across bridges and over quite a long stretch road of which I can´t possibly remember the name anymore, until I finely reach Montbron.

I then start to follow directions for Ecuras along the D699. As it turns out to be, this is another 8 kilometres. At the time I didn't know this. When I reach le Chat I go straight to the "waterhole" (the bar) and replace the bodily liquids I have lost during my brisk 16 kilometres walk. We calculated this, the bar tender and I, while I was taking in the necessary liquids. I have been gone for about 4 hours!

I definitely need a map!!!