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As is the pattern, lots of rain in the night. Ali and Grete visit the boulangerie then go to see the ostriches before we set off. Or try to set off.
The heavy rain on wet grass makes the field slippery and although Nick gets Mary*Lou off with no problems it's a different story for Nick and Grete's van which cannot get any traction. As they are trying with mats and pushing to and fro, a lorry stops outside. It is the farm owner who goes around to his shed, returns with a tractor and has them out in minutes.
Both vans need fuel and servicing and the weather isn't any good for sightseeing so we head directly to La Roche sur Yon and stop in the aire. After lunch of croque monsieurs bought in the bakery earlier, we slop out, refil and head on.
The original choice Passion now looks a bit far away so we select a camperstop at Bouin and abandon ideas for a coastal drive as we'll see little through the grey mizzle.
From Challans we travel across part of the Marais wetlands, spotting the odd thatched building. This area is one of only a few where the reeds are cut and used for roofing. It is flat, wet and grey with grass and marsh, looking like the opening scenes of Great Expectations.
We get to the turning for Port du Bec and the road is closed so we head back through Bouin to the other harbour. Here we find 'strictly no camping cars' signs. There is a third listed camperstop 1.3 miles away. A misunderstood radio message means we set off before Nick and Grete are ready, and we're out n a single track road before realising they are not with us. We find the parking spot and quickly text the location, but just as Ali hits 'send' they roll in beside us.
After five minutes and a coffee we have all calmed down from what has been a bit of a frustrated day.
Our parking spot is below a 5m embankment lined with WW2 gun emplacements, beyond which lies the sea or as it looks tonight a muddy flat with curlews crying above.
Ali cooks lamb cutlets for dinner and we end the day with a happy evening.
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