The cockroach and much more

However, first we need to evict the Tanger Wood Cockroach. Who knows, maybe it's a relative of the infamous cockroach. The hero discovers two cheeky specimens as they swiftly disappear into the depths of the indispensable, essential, life-sustaining catering box.

Although the internet claims that these critters only live in the woods and not in houses, they seem to feel quite at home in our mobile kitchen. So we declutter it, toss the two pests into their preferred habitat, and disinfect thoroughly.

Strangely, three more cockroaches accompany us in the following days and now must deal with establishing new families in different regions. We hope that no further specimen is hiding in the depths of the robbery cave.

But now we want to explore the French countryside and make our first stop at the Normandy-Maine Geopark, a few kilometers west of Le Mans.

However, there's somehow too much hustle and bustle here, and a few motorhomes wake us up at 5:00 a.m. in the lonely parking lot. I wonder about this, but explain the early morning arrival as a pit stop on the way from Paris to the sea. The earplugs shield me from further disturbances, but the hero is losing his sleep. Because Mademoiselle la Fête can't stop squeaking and screaming in front of our door. And she continues to do so even as we crawl out of bed for breakfast.

No idea what pills that young woman has been consuming at which wild party, but we can definitely retaliate with loud door slams today. She simply refuses to go to bed, no matter how much Monsieur pleads. However, he evidently also has various substances in his system, and we can already see dark clouds gathering in paradise.

By coincidence, we discover the viaduct of Saint-Georges-les-Gaultier, built in the early 20th century for the Le Mans - Alençon railway, measuring 150 meters long and 50 meters high. However, due to World War I, the construction could not be completed, and the structure was never put into operation. Now one can get the adrenaline rush here while bungee jumping. However, one should close their eyes to the crumbling concrete of the massive bridge supports, as important structural reinforcement is exposed here and there.

We continue our journey to the Perche Nature Park. A hilly landscape primarily sustained by agriculture. In the past, Percheron horses were bred here, a robust breed particularly suited for work in the forest and fields. The horses can now only be seen in the nature park's logo, and various chic castles and manor houses testify that it must have been a profitable business.

Several tourist tours pass by the attractions of the area.

In the idyllic villages, there is peaceful tranquility. Here one can enjoy their time out in a very relaxed way. Only in the peak summer, the spots at the few water points could become scarce.

This morning, Madame Livraison greets us at our quiet forest parking lot. She apologizes profusely with words and gestures for disturbing our petit-déjeuner.

She is expecting a delivery, and because her property, like many houses in this area, is located deep in the woods and the access is very narrow, the order is passed conspiratorially at the hiking parking lot.

The courier is delayed, and we start chatting. The number one topic is of course the weather. Fortunately, it is getting better again, and here in the woods, it is always a little cooler, with a gentle breeze flowing through the dense trees. But the heatwave is coming back this weekend, the canicule, a new intense heat. Well, what can be done, close the windows and stay indoors. She doesn’t have to work anymore. Where we come from and where we still want to go.

A loud rumble interrupts Madame, a large truck rumbles past the parking lot. Madame calls out excitedly, and Zappa waves with his underpants. Then the brakes squeal, the cargo crashes and rattles in the loading area, and with a loud groan, the reverse gear is engaged. The truck turns around, stops at the driveway, and blocks the road. The only car of the day wants to pass by him precisely now, triggering a wild honking concert.

Madame's package is pulled by the gigantic ramp, and Monsieur personally places it into her vehicle. We want to rush to help further, but she hands the driver a five-euro bill. He jumps back into his truck, rumbles away, and clears the traffic again.

Madame warns us to be very careful in the woods. There have been many wildlife accidents lately as the deer find too little water in this weather and go a bit mad. The does just run onto the road, and then one cannot stop anymore.

I assure her that Zappa drives like a drunk grandpa anyway and even lets wild boars cross the road in peace.

Then we wave goodbye. We continue to drive east.