Larnagol - St. Leonard de Noblat

Wednesday 23rd August

Yes indeed, another scorcher!  We needed to have a bit of exercise, though, so set off to the nearby village of Larnagol, by (you've guessed it) another uphill path.
 
 It wasn't too far though, so by the time we'd walked around the village, looked at the chateau
 
 and walked down a flight of ancient steps, we were pleased to find the 'Annexe', a crafty/gifty/coffee shop in a square room a bit like a village hall.  Madame behind the counter had a little table with a kettle, she scratched her head when John asked for cafe creme - did she have some milk? - ah yes, a little bottle in the cupboard, then she scratched her head again when I asked for green tea!  This time, she rummaged around and found a wooden box with a variety of teas and although there didn't seem to be any green, I was very happy with Earl Grey! 

We sat on the sofa with our drinks, then looked at all the local crafts on sale - some very unusual animal models, foodie things, jewellery, paintings and bags.  If you ever spot me wearing a pair of jeans hanging off my shoulder, you'll know that I succumbed to one of the bags!!

 
After a look at the beautiful River Lot, we wandered back to our shady spot for the rest of the day - with a short break for a dip in the pool. 

Thursday 24th August

Moving on day again today, travelling 140 miles north to a small municipal site east of Limoges, at St. Leonard de Noblat.  You never can tell what times French campsites will be open around the middle of the day.  Sometimes, of course, they are open all the time and if the guardien is having lunch, then you are waved off to find a pitch and see him later, other times they close say from 12.30 - 2.30 and put the barrier down, so you have to park on the carpark till the reopening time.  Others, like this one at St. Leonard de Noblat (great name eh?) when we arrived about 2pm, the notice said the reception was closed from 11.30 - 5.30 and the barrier was down! 

Well, we did plan to go and find the town this afternoon, anyway, so off we went, up the path to see what there was to see.  Eventually we came to a sign that could be interesting - "Historail" museum.
 
 
We went in and Monsieur immediately stopped his speel to a small group of people, to take our money, then continued .... ad infinitum ....  He was behind a large model railway of Cherbourg Station, explaining in minute detail how the old steam train system worked.  Occasionally, and only very occasionally, he would make an engine run up or down the track to make his point.
 

A moving train!

The group of people were made up of families with quite young children, so all they (and we) wanted was to watch the trains!  But he droned on and on and didn't seem to notice that even the people who understood his language were losing the will to live!  Remember we are all rather hot (30deg) too!

Well, we didn't really get our 10Euros's-worth, but we sloped off after having a look round his exhibits ...

... and found a little cafe called Totali-The in the town centre for a very, very welcome cold drink.

 
We arrived back at the campsite just on 5.30 and were greeted by a very friendly Dutch Guardienne.  At 7.30 she drove slowly around the site saying goodnight to everyone - she was just off home again!