Motorhome troubles. Pradelles and Pontgibaud.

March 8th

On the way again, this time from the South to the North, to Belgium. With the motorhome of course, so calm down. Away from the highway.. We continue via Valréas, Grignan (Mme de Pompadour), Montelimar, Aubenas to Thuets in the Ardêche. We want to stay overnight, but the square will be full of market stalls tomorrow morning from 6.30, so we continue to cross the hill and end up in Pradelles.

Here on the plateau it still freezes in the evening. So the gas heating must be running at full speed. At dusk I wander through the almost Medieval streets. I expect to be ambushed at any moment by a not-so-noble knight. Damsels don't risk themselves in the alleys either. Only flashes of light from television images through the window shutters disturb my Medieval vision. I quickly crawl back into my own fortified castle with my own damsel.

March 9th

Starting from #Pradelles the N88 towards Le Puy, Clermont Ferrand. You drive through the park of ancient volcanoes with the snowy Puy de Dôme to your right. We stop in Pontgibaud, one of the many very small towns with a city gate from the 16th century and the castle of Comte et Comtesse Gabriel de Germiny. A leaflet says that they will welcome us with pleasure in their Medieval stay.... heureux de vous accueillir pour la visite de leur demeure familiale, un bel exemple d'architecture médiévale, complété au Xve et restauré au XIXe siècle par le Comte César III de Pontgibaud. The vous invite you to découvrir le jardin-potager classé Monument Historique and the Musée des Mines d'argent du canton de #Pontgibaud - Yes.