We never know exactly where each day will end; camping on a free range duck farm, parked on the bank of a leafy river, lapping up a rose scented village. The Loire Valley has won out over the west coast and it has turned out to be a magical meandering off the beaten track.
We move slowly. No need to eat up miles or get to any particular destination, no clue what lies ahead. Every twist and turn surprises. Today it’s the roses.
Of course there are castles to beat the band. But sometimes I find myself with my back to the chateau and my lens trained on the window over the boulangerie or a small side lane of cottages. Picturing who might have tended a mature rose bush and trained it over their doorway? Who planted the window boxes and gardens or lined the walls of village streets with climbers and creepers? Who cared so much, thought so creatively, worked in the heat of the sun for this beauty?
Liberty, equality and fraternity provides a basis for ordinary people to flourish. It doesn’t give people any more resources but emphasises the right to belong. The valuing of each citizen makes France a country designed around social space and the importance of community. A place where ordinary people care about the country they share and here in the Loire Valley it means planting roses everywhere.
Along the route there are facilities, opportunities to share the land, understanding and empathy for the traveller. We are crisscrossing old paths used for centuries as pilgrimage routes. You would never be without sustenance or a place to sleep. Perfect for independent travellers. (I won’t go on about the French public toilets, to be honest they have improved over the years and at least they have them in every village square. I was tempted to take a photo of each one I visited and rate them, but there’s a terrible lack of romance in it? Suffice to say to travel off the grid you have to deal with a variety of basic challenges every day, more about all this anon)
Himself and myself have been mostly at peace with the lack of a plan. This is such a contrast with the previous few months of our lives, where every day was rigidly scheduled. If you are wondering about how it might be to come down after months of overwork and crisis management? It has been ridiculously easy! I suppose the 40 years of being on the road together helps in that……
Working around each other in a tiny camper van (VW Transporter with a pop up roof) is like being on the deck of a small boat. We manoeuvre tasks and re-organise in a space not much bigger than a large double bed. Himself being “6 foot 2 biddly-boo” has had to do more careful adjusting. Elbows, heads and toes are especially vulnerable to being clobbered.
Living in the open air wouldn’t suit everyone. (We just swam in a river and later saw a snake slithering upstream!)You won’t always come by a shower or a cooling breeze when you need one, and it’s a constant number of repetitive tasks that keeps the whole shebang ship shape.
But if you are up for it, you will find that you are more carefree and present, more aware of the scents of the earth and more at peace in your sleep than in any fancy air-conditioned hotel.
Sounds like heaven…altho I don't think we could be so carefree, going on vacation to a destination without any plans is heaven and what we did when we went to Italy….and then there is the roses….oh my Catherine I am in heaven…pure bliss to see these all over!
Such incredible gardens both of flowers and edibles. It is amazing and yes carefree for once……
Lovely pictures of the roses in the Loire Valley. We have been travelling there a long time ago, visiting castles and gardens and yes we were camping too, I love it. So nice just following your nose and see where you get. Enjoy your time with a glass of rosé wine in 'la douce France'.
I yes Janneke the Rose wine is wonderful in its pinkish glow and after glow!
How gorgeous is the Loire valley and its roses seen by your eye.
I feel at home here (I lived there for some times) and always love the roses.
I also feel at home with camping. Sleeping in the open air is also our familly vacation style. Enjoy your time in France.
Amelie it is wonderful never mind the food, the wine and the swimming. Now following the Vienne, Charente, and Dordogne xx
Beautiful photos! I love all of the different shades of pink and red, looks heavenly there! – Tasha
Thanks Tash! Better than slogging over a desk for sure!
Oh…seeing these images just makes me want to return to the Loire area! France is one of my all time favorite countries and totally love it there. Seeing it through your eyes is wonderful so thanks so much for sharing. You've gotta snap a pic of that VW van though! Now that would be the ride! ENJOY!!! And keep sharing the journey!
Thanks Robin! You are a hoot and I agree the van deserves a feature! I've just snapped myself pouring wine and hope to share soon!!!
Your pictures do my heart good this morning. France is my favorite country and Paddy's too. We could walk and walk in those villages forever. I do agree with Robin, we want to see a pic of your VW Van! After all, it's home away from home. So great that you can keep sharing with us from so far away. I have another friend who is walking the "Camino" in Spain right now and she is also sending photos. What a gift this is! May you continue to love and prosper. FREEDOM.
Thanks Susie! Yes the freedom of our age while it lasts is precious. Ok I hearya!!! Pictures of the van very soon xx
Heavenly scent Catherine….and I do believe I spot you with your back to a castle reflected in the lovely cottage window. Sounds like you are having a wonderful and well deserved carefree holiday, enjoy!
Jane with your green fingers and love of photography you would love it here! Thanks and watch this space for sneaky van pics x
Ah the open road, the freedom of time…I want to be back in France…it's almost a year since Provence, the heat, the beautiful villages…thanks for the flashbacks. Beautiful photos!
Provence is also beautiful! It's such a big country with a lot of smaller regions, each one with such a unique character. Thanks Kerry, hope you get back soon :~)