First stop was Penne, a tiny hilltop village that consists of a single street which ends at a castle perched precariously atop a rocky outcrop - quite an amazing sight! We wandered around the village, took some photos and then returned to Kiki for coffee (no comment!).
Moving on we followed the river valley and then via some narrow winding country lanes (which reminded us of Dartmoor) approached our next destination: the village of Najac. We were heading for a parking area situated just the other side of the village. However, as we approached the bridge before the village, we discovered it had a 2.2m width limit - Kiki is 2.35m....
We stopped in a convenient picnic area by the river and had lunch whilst considering our options. The Park4night app showed a paid Aire de Camping Car only 900m away on our side of the river. We normally avoid paid parking but decided to make an exception this time because electricity is included in the €6 fee which means that Emma can dry her hair properly - apparently that’s very important!
Arriving at the Aire, we pay at the machine but it didn’t give out a ticket. After pressing all the buttons, moving Kiki forwards and back and scratching our heads we then discover that you need the number off the ticket to open the barrier. I went and had a chat with a couple who were already inside. After a minute of my bad French they switched into English - apparently the machine worked when they arrived yesterday. They kindly tried their number on the entry keypad but it wouldn’t work. Then they tried it on the exit keypad and got the message “drive to the barrier”. I spotted a steel pole and laid it over the exit sensor, sure enough the barrier opened and we drove in. Now we’re wondering how we’re both going to get out tomorrow....
We parked up, plugged Kiki in and decided to walk into the village. There is a convenient pedestrian bridge right next to the Aire which leads through a campsite and up to the village. Najac is a single street, perched on a narrow ridge with houses clinging to each side. Towering above the town is a castle - another most impressive sight. We wandered around the village, entering at the far end and walking back along the length of the street. We returned to Kiki the long way, via the narrow 13th Century bridge we’d avoided driving over earlier.
When we were in the village I spotted an email address on the Marie. When we returned to Kiki, I sent them an urgent email explaining our situation. Maybe they’ll turn up in the morning to rescue us... stay tuned!
Shortly after we got back I noticed another MH approaching the barrier. I went over and tried to explain in my “best” French the problem with the ticket machine. It turned out that they too were English living in France! Closer inspection of the barrier revealed it to be held on with a few Allen screws - a couple of minutes with a 6mm Allen key and the barrier was no longer a problem! They did buy a ticket however to keep legitimate.
We spent happy hour or so swapping motor-homing stories with the couple, who it turned out were originally from Dawlish in Devon - small world!
After supper we settled down for the evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment