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The rain didn't let up all night but at least the power stayed on. By 10:30 it starts to clear up and the sun comes out. We go over to look at the river in full flood this morning with the sun shimmering on its surface.
First priority today is to top up the LPG so we aim for Leclerc in Royan, but on the way we travel along the deserted seafront past hotels and long empty beaches.
Leclerc turns into a farce within a farce. The main entrance leads to the narrowest supermarket car park imaginable but nowhere near the fuel. Signs for the fuel station lead to an underpass too low for us to go through so we go around the back of the commercial zone and reach the fuel. /but the LPG pump has its own, one way barrier and once through it the pump is on the wrong side so we have to 3 point turn on the forecourt and line up the wrong way. After filling it's a case of reversing out and heaing for the cashier's booth.
Once we escape Royan's clutches we take the D25 up through the woods towards La Palmyre and then through sand-pine forests along the coast towards Oleron. A brief shower followed by sun brings out a rainbow.
At Marennes the trees stop and we cross a bridge over the estuary of oyster beds; yellow grass with large pools of water reflecting the blue in the sky. Clusters of white sheds spread around he pools. A few miles on we reach the bridge to the Il d'Oleron. Previous crossings by car only allowed us glimpses of the estuary through steel railings but from the raised seating in the van we have a clear view of mudflats and little man-made islands with tiny fortress style buildings. The road along the south and west side of the island is rough and bumpy with frequent speed mountains. There are dozens of camp sites, all shut for winter, but nearly every car park is height restricted. We find one open one at Le Cotoniere and pause for a look over the little fishing port and out to sea, as the van shakes in the wind.
Soon after, we bump our way into the vineyard Passion, Vignobles Vincent, at St Pierre d'Oleron. We park on firm ground in the yard but a workman insists we park on the soft wet soil between the vinres; good luck getting out in the morning then...
As we watch a watery sunset over the withering vines the wind inceases to gale force, the after effects of Storm Angus which has been battering the south of England.
We get news from Chris and Paul that they have done the deal and take delivery of their motorhome in a few weeks time.
Grete cooks chicken and mushroom and we have an early night.
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