It is our final evening at Creuse Nature. As reported in our last blog eight days ago, we arrived in threatening weather and it continued changeable. However, when it was good, it was very, very good, and our excellent pitch, giving us a direct view of a beautiful little fishing lake, has been a constant source of joy. The whole of our stay here has been set against the delightful background of Dutch families enjoying their summer holidays with their children of all ages. As a child and as a parent, I never embraced the camping style of holiday, and now, watching how much fun they are all having together, I feel a certain regret. There are continual activities laid on and the children have a freedom that I suspect is denied them at home. It has been a pleasure to spend time with them.
Day One: We arrive at 2pm tired and anxious to set up before the rain sets in. Reception is closed until three. Luckily they offer us a free welcome drink in the bar. When we do finally drive onto the assigned pitch, we are suddenly surrounded by four or five Dutch campers, all anxious to give advice (conflicting of course!) and help with the electric cable, the stabiliser chocks etc! We keep our cool (well, I did!) as best we can. That evening we join the communal Mexican buffet meal on the pool terrace and once again find ourselves the only Brits in the Zeiderzee!
Day Two: Heavy rain overnight. Cool damp morning. I join some Dutch teenage girls in a water aerobics class in the small indoor pool, run by a French lady. Really enjoy it, but then discover she is leaving camp that day to go home. That had been the final class of the summer! Gutted! Met a lone Aussie travelling around Europe in his camper. Shared a beer. Sun came out. Relaxed by lake. Discovered campsite shop in a garage by the owner’s house and bought some lovely locally made blueberry jam.
Day Three: Another wet morning. Spent much time cleaning out inside of van. Always chores to do! Weather improved. Went for walk and watched the Boules tournament. Then quite by chance we came across a real gem – a mid 1960s Camion Citroennette – one of the early motorhomes – in mint condition. We spoke with the elderly owners who said they have had the van since new and still drive it from Holland to France each summer. Had our first splash in the pool. Black pudding and patés for dinner. Watched ‘District Nine’ on the DVD. Amazing and most disturbing movie. I recommend it!
Day Four: More rain in the morning. Idly checking the internet (free wi-fi into the van at this place – what a joy!), I found that the Open University site had published the results of this year’s Creative Writing Course. My final exam piece, a thirty minute play, was given 76%. I was so pleased as I knew I needed 70% at least to finish with a Grade 2 pass (equivalent of a 2:1) and this had been my goal. We opened a bottle of champagne later – doesn’t everyone have champagne stowed away in their camper? Two friends from England arrived to enjoy some time with us. Disappointingly the weather did not improve but we drank the wine and talked, and talked, and talked.
Day Five: Friends drove us in their hire car to the local town of Boussac, where it was market day. It was a ‘getting better’ type of day and the market was excellent. We enjoyed a coffee while we watched the little town go by and came back with loads of goodies! Afternoon warm and dry so we took advantage of the sun and read our books. Another communal meal tonight – Indonesian style and we found two more Brits who had just arrived to share the evening with.
Day Six: Lovely hot day, and we did very little apart from setting up two tables right by the lake for an extended shared coffee break/lunch/afternoon tea session with the new Brits – two retired academics who live in Stratford Upon Avon and who had been touring France since May. Tonight was terrific as the campsite organised a karaoke evening. After a few drinks we went over to the bar to join in and ended up having such fun. All the songs were British and American classic hits from Jailhouse Rock to ‘Everybody Cries’. My ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ Diana Ross impression, will be remembered for some time, and Victor’s ‘Great Balls of Fire’ met with great acclaim, or certainly created a lasting impression!
Day Seven: Another day devoted to sun, food and drink. Enough said! The evening finds the families gather at the lakeside for a campfire, so our evening entertainment is the sound of folksongs and Dutch versions of standards such as ‘She’ll be coming round the mountain’ and ‘Heads, shoulders, knees and toes’!
Day Eight: Friends go home early in the morning. Another packing up day as we leave tomorrow. Packing up day is always very sad. We now plan two days in the Macon Valley (about four hours away), tasting the wines (again!) and then have four nights in another campsite before more exploring. I am unsure when we will have wi-fi but will be back in touch as soon as possible. Happy August!
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