Lost in Loix

I can’t tell you how exciting it was to hear the ‘bip’ on my Bip&Go electronic tag at the toll - almost took the pain away from the cost that will be building up in the background. I could take non-toll roads and maybe if I start racking up a hefty bill I will but I’m driving a lot so a speedy stretch at times is preferable to a slower and prettier road. 

It rained lightly for quite a lot of the journey so I was pleased when I arrived that despite a lot of puddles on the road, there was nothing coming out of the sky. 

The other excitement of the day was filling up with diesel at a self-service machine in Vannes. Roll on technology - I’ve got a few cards and didn’t quite get my pin right on the first attempt. Pressure on, app came to the rescue to give me the reminder I needed and I was on my way.

So, a few hours later and I’m safely ensconced in my new site on Il de Ré. I had an afternoon with wildlife around the salt pans. Best bits were firebugs, a rat eating blackberries about a metre off the ground, an Asian hornet and a southern green stinkbug. So many egrets too but they’re not new to me so the little stuff wins the day.

I didn’t really like the crackle of exploding mosquito but, after picking up two bites on my walk and spotting one entering the van as I took my boots off, it was satisfying knowing it had met its end as it tried to hunt me down.

After tea, there was blue sky and sunshine so I headed out for a walk around Loix. It seems you can have any colour of shutter as long as it’s a shade of green. Super quaint and I enjoyed aimlessly wandering the alleyways.

I’m not sure cycling is going to be my thing here - it’s mostly cycle paths and they’re very busy with what felt like crazy e-bikes as I was walking today. (These are more sedate ones!) Plenty to do though so I’ll decide tomorrow.