A scenic drive today. Right through the clouds along the Corniche des Cevennes to the blue skies of the Dordogne valley at Carennac.

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Woke to low cloud and rumbles of thunder. Packed up quite quickly and got on our way as we had a good way to drive and some of the drive looked to be quite hard work. As it happened, though we did go along and past several of the major rivers of Central France: Gardon, Tarn, Lot, Dordogne we didn’t drive along any river gorges and those are the most tortuous in a motorhome where there are sticking out rocks and overhanging cliffs involved.



The rumbles of thunder soon translated themselves into rain. We were driving one of the most scenic routes in the area, the Corniche des Cevennes and it was indeed fantastic. We did have a problem seeing the views though as the higher we went the deeper into the low cloud we got and the wetter the rain.



It must indeed be a lovely drive and I have suggested to Bob that on another occasion, when he can guarantee sunshine, we should do it again. It was though an interesting drive even in the rain as the low clouds were leaving frills all over the hill tops making some very pretty pictures. Fortunately the road was excellent as hauling a 3.5 ton motorhome along wet mountain passes can be rather slippery.



At the end of the Corniche at Florac we went North, crossing the end of the Tarn valley which we have driven before, and then up almost to Mende, along more very scenic mountain passes, before crossing to pick up the A75 motorway south, the one which crosses the Millau bridge. It is a fantastic motorway, crossing incredibly scenic countryside with lovely views on either side and always a pleasure to drive along. We only went a few miles turning off at Severac-le-Chateau and picking up the road to Rodez.



Apart from the stretch of motorway, all the roads we used today were new to us, all really scenic and passing through some of France’s most beautiful countryside.

From Rodez to Figeac, catching glimpses everywhere of little chateaux, pretty perched villages, charming towns everywhere we drove. The further we went the better the weather. We realised after a while that we had left the rain and clouds behind and then it was hot, sunny and blue skied again. The buildings changed from the styles of Languedoc and then midi Pyrenees to the familiar golden stones of the Dordogne.



Altogether we had another exceptionally lovely drive.



Our campsite for the next 2 nights is L’Eau Vive at Carennac, right on the south side of the Dordogne river. The pool is still open so I of course used it. The site is pretty with early autumnal leaves falling all around and tomorrow we will visit Carennac and Loubressac, both designated prettiest villages of France.



I note that I’ve managed to swim every day so far except one. I must be trimmer if not slimmer.

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