Saumur

We did the French thing of ordering a fresh baguette for collection at 8am. It was actually our second breakfast, and v. welcome. 

Nic suggested a spot of table tennis. 

Nice idea but... The ball had no bounce, and kept falling into a muddy patch. It was not a good game. We longed for our own kit and our usual table.

We packed up the van to take a trip down the road to the Ackerman Caves, home of one of the region's most famous sparkling wines, Cremant de Loire. 

We wandered around the extraordinary caves in a self guided tour. 

The 'caves' are actually old stone excavations, ideal for making and storing wine.

We spotted some giant aged bottles and gasped at the soaring height of the so-called cathedral with its small hole of natural light.

We learned about all the stages of making fizz. At the end of the tour were some rather fanciful art installations. 

And of course, the ritual degustation. We tried 2 small glasses of fizz each. It was delicious and we bought a single bottle, only because there is no space in the van for any more. Really.

Onward, to the last space in a free car park beneath the Chateau of Saumur, with a great view of its Disney towers. 

We had lunch of Caesar salad and Croque Monsieur at the cafe by the drawbridge.

Later we walked around the chateau, admiring its splendid views, tapestries and omnipresent fleur-de-lys. 

Nic's hip was aching, so we cut short our trip to town and headed back to the campsite for a quiet afternoon.