Little Holland and Very Friendly Sheep!

We were sorry to drive away from Chateau Guiton last Saturday morning, but new pastures beckoned, quite literally as it happens! The Sat Nav took us up to the west coast via La Rochelle, and we arrived here at Le Colombier, some sixty miles inland. We were not disappointed. This Dutch-run camp is one of the best known on the naturist circuit, and was built some 18 years ago from a derelict farm complex. It consists of a bar and restaurant complex built in an old barn (see photo), a really lovely large pool, and fields and fields for tents, caravans and campers, plus the usual static chalets.

It is still early in the season so it is relatively quiet, but we are surrounded by a good number of Dutch couples and families which made last night’s semi-final against Uruguay a very noisy and happy affair! We will have had five nights here when we leave tomorrow morning, and it has been a most relaxing stay in lovely sunshine. We picked a pitch overlooking a large pasture which is home to six white sheep. It is their ‘good morning baaas’ that welcome us, as the most greedy sheep calls out for the remains of the previous days French stick. We were delighted to find that she will eat from our hands (again, see photo), which makes a change from feeding swans! We have also been swimming and walking in the woodland surrounding the camp, and keeping the bar profits up!

Naturist camps are extremely peaceful places, particularly before the schools break up. Although there are usually facilities laid on, most people simply want to soak up the sun outside their own caravans, walk their dogs or float idly in the pool. Everyone is very friendly, but also very respectful of everyone’s desire for privacy and quiet. Unlike a hotel holiday there are always chores to do, but by mid-morning when everything in and around the van are shipshape, then we can read, plan future weeks, or check out the internet (if we can find a signal). Tomorrow it will all change. We are planning one day and night exploring the Loire Valley wine region, including towns such as Saumur and Chinon. Then on Friday morning it’s off to Le Mans to join the queue into the race track. Our next report will probably be early next week (wi-fi allowing) when we will attempt to describe the madness!