New friends and a fancy car

Ian and I were poring over maps when suddenly our concentration was broken by Browny's exclamation. "Quick. Look out there and see what's just arrived". I averted my gaze from the map out of the big front window of Ian and Browny's 16 year old and very nice too, Hymer motorhome.

Being reversed right up to the edge of this, the mighty Loire river on this blue sky sunny day was a shiny little stainless steel  2 seater open cab car. It reminded me of my brother in law's kit car but this, as explained to me by Ian, a fluent French speaker, had been built from scratch by it's skilled motor engineer owner who was busily photographing from all angles this pristine looking little car. And wow! What a background.

We had earlier that day moved on from a very peaceful Aire next to a lake at Chalonne-sur-Loire after a busy previous day putting 'The big plan' into action. A re jigging of road priorities on the sat nav had given us a good main road journey to the Aire via a stop off at a 'Camping car' dealer in Nantes.

Initially I had to park up outside this dealership and go for a walk with Tanya as it was smack in the middle of the French 2 hour lunchbreak. Not, I have to add, adhered to by the depressingly familiar used and new Peugot car lot next door. Tanya and I were about half way across and idly viewing the cars when the obligatory young and suited salesperson appeared as if out of nowhere. A "nae thanks pal". Firmly stated with Scottish accent brought a furrowed brow and retreat with just one glance back over the shoulder before he was engulfed by the huge, shiny and quite distant main building.

Back in the now open Camping car dealership the showing of a mobile phone photo plus the skill and understanding of the very capable but totally French speaking lady serving me, soon had me away with exactly what I needed. A new water pump.

Now where was I? Ah yes! Today. So we've arrived at the Loire with sat nav re programmed once again for secondary roads. Off we go for our first day of leisurely following this mighty waterway. As usual it was fairly late by the time we left and so a suitable place to park up for lunch was soon on the agenda. We were not dissapointed. A beautiful day and espied across the river, right by the bridge Mrs sat nav was directing us across was a parked up motorhome. "That will do us nicely eh Tanya!" I exclaimed as we drove down to this parking area literally on the riverbank.

"Pleased to meet you and how are you?" Was the English spoken greeting I received as I followed Tanya out of Sadie. This was my introduction to Ian who had recognised a UK number plate and come over to introduce himself. He was quickly joined by his wife, Browny, who, straight to the point asked if I would like to join them for a lunch of cold pork salad followed by apple pie and Lidl's best creamy vanilla dessert.

I can assure you the answer was affirmative and a beautiful, very unexpected lunch was enjoyed with this fascinating and charming couple.

They, like my previous French friend at the campsite, for most of their life had been involved both business wise and personally with boats. They had built their own and sailed the world before finally settling in New Zealand. "Regretfully", says Browny, only to have to return to the UK a few years later for family commitments.

Their sailing days finally came to an end as Browny's vertigo started to affect the enjoyment of being at sea. They are now retired, live in southern Brittany and spend as much of their time as they can touring around in their trusty Hymer. I could have spent a lot longer listening to them but we parted company as Tanya and I continued our walk along the riverbank and they returned and moved on. A loose arrangement was made to meet at Saumur that evening. "Park up by the Chateux, wonderful views and you can't miss it". They were right. I did arrive at Saumur later and parked right by the Chateaux which is where I still am today after an extremely lazy enjoyable day. Sadly Ian and Browny have not appeared.