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Published: March 29th 2011
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Dordogne
Another Mountain fortress We have now travelled through the stunning countryside of the Dordogne and the Midi-Pyrennies and it is definitely a place I would like to explore further. People certainly built their homes based on security rather than practicality that's for sure. However I would like to digress a little and disclose my findings on sanitation blocks in France and share a little story. The further south we have travelled, the more interesting the state of toilet/hygiene blocks have become. For one, they have become unisex, and in some cases the dishwashing, showering, laundry, urinals, etc are all in the one place. Some are larger than others and some only have one shower. Well it is the low season so some camps have other blocks that are closed but in most of the camps we have stayed at, this block is it. Very cosy don't you think? Anyway, whilst staying in the Dordogne, the camping ground had a small sanitary block that covered all bases. As you walked in the old style French doors, on your left you had a washing machine, then a waist high wall behind which were two urinals, then 3 toilets, which were in cubicles with doors. On the
right you had a sink with a washboard, then a stainless steel sink with two sinks for dishwashing, ( one of which was covered on this occasion with a clothes airer and somebody's wet washing) two cubicles with hand basins and at the end of the room there was a shower. (it was a very good shower I will add.) Running down the middle was an aisle that two people could closely walk down. This particular evening at about 9pm, I decided to go for a shower. In walking up to the doors I could see that the windows were all fogged up...a good sign I thought , as it meant plenty of hot water. I opened the door to an interesting sight. First up there was a solidily built French woman, whom I have called Yvette , about 60, wearing a bright orange bathrobe, smoking a cigarette with one hand and gestulating as she talked with her other hand. At her feet there lay a large dog, a cross between an Irish wolfhound and some other equally large hairy breed, who lifted it's head and growled at me as I entered. Standing behind Yvette, was her significant other, a
Ax Le Thermes
View of the Pyrennies from the camping ground tall man with a bushy moustache whom I have called Henri, with a hairbrush in one hand and a hair dryer in the other, diligently drying yvettes hair, but not making a very good job of it. It was looking a bit like a birds nest if you ask me. Yvette shushed the dog and waved me through then continued to talk enthusiastically to Henri while I locked myself in the shower. it's sometimes hard to tell with French people when they talk, whether they are arguing or not as they speak so passionately. What with the hairdryer, the cigarette smoke, the steamy shower and the panting dog, no wonder the place was fogged up. Anyway, Yvettes hair must have been suitably coiffed because they left soon after but the picture in my head remains to make me smile. I did have one more encounter with Yvette in the same bright orange robe the next morning as I was doing the dishes. The washing on the airer was still taking up half the space and I was working at the one sink when she came in, gestured to the washing and said something that I translated to be "whose is this?" to which I responded with a particularly Gaelic shrug with hands in the air. She responded with a "pffffttttt" like noise and went into the toilet. Fantastic moments. We are having many of them. At present we are up in the beginning of the Pyrennies, where it's a little bit colder, we can see snow on the mountains behind us, but another lovely spot. Tomorrow we head into Spain. Thinking of you all at home wherever that may be. Xxx
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Mandy
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I so jealous!
God, i am so jealous of you two - even with your encounters of the local people! I think they make a trip - characters! Had the AGM last night - went with Kelly. Not bad - done in an hour and a certain person didn't disgrace himself! Have fun in Spain - oh it makes life here seem so boorrrinng!!!!