We're back....off to the warm...Atlantic here we come

After 5 weeks forced break in Germany, we are finally back on the road. We used the time to take care of personal appointments, visit family and friends (thank you for your hospitality), and renew the TÜV for our Hummel. Now the brakes are finally working great and we are overjoyed to be back on the road.

We have been thinking for a long time about where to go next. We would have loved to spend the summer in Sweden and Norway. Unfortunately, it is still too cold there. We have become accustomed to the warmth and are clearly drawn back there for now.

On April 19th, we will leave cold and gray Germany and head to France. Already at the first random overnight place in Montbeliard, which will be the art capital of France in 2024, we are in seventh heaven again. A great free motorhome parking space by the river awaits us. The sky is finally blue again, spring is here, there are washing machines, a huge colorful park, and a great old town to explore. The people are friendly and greet us. Once again, we wonder why something like this is not possible in Germany. In recent weeks in our homeland, we often had to pay up to 18 euros just to park our truck.

We stay in the wonderful city for two days, stroll through the park and the city, and are overjoyed to be back on the road and to visit great new places.

We continue to Besancon and then to Bourg en Bresse. There, too, we park for free, stroll through the old town, and finally end up in the Loire Valley in Villarest. The community has outdone themselves here and created a free motorhome parking space right on the shores of the reservoir. We look out over the lake and the greenery from our bed. We can only say a big thank you to Villarest.

In the mountains, on the way to the Atlantic coast, we eventually end up in Ussel, a sleepy town high up in the mountains. Here, too, we park by a great lake in the greenery, use the numerous hiking and walking trails, and enjoy the peace and seclusion. Unfortunately, spring has not arrived here yet. The thermometer shows 8 degrees and there is no sign of warmth and sunshine. So after a 3-day break, we pack up again and head towards the Atlantic.

Three hours later, we are out of the mountains and arrive in Sourzac on the L'Isle River. Suddenly, the thermometer jumps to 27 degrees. The frogs croak, the crickets chirp, everything is in full bloom, and we are happy. Our fur baby Lucy gets a summer cut. Today, I also drove the truck in between. It's a lot of fun with the new brakes and the astonished looks of people when they see a woman behind the wheel are just hilarious.

When we lie in bed in the evening (we are parked on a parking lot by the river), there is suddenly a deafening bang outside. A shockwave makes our truck shake. Outside, an Audi is on fire. Kilian runs out and helps save some things from the burning car. Several loud bangs follow as the tires burst. It's unbelievable how quickly a car is engulfed in flames. Lucy pees in fear inside the car. The fire department arrives soon and extinguishes the car. We learn that a jealous ex-boyfriend of the girl was there and set the car on fire with a liquid. He apparently wanted to prevent her from leaving. Hallelujah, crazy world!!

In the morning, we try to bridge a young Frenchman who lives in his truck with his three dogs. Unfortunately, we fail.

In the Bordeaux area, we (finally) see palm trees again along the roadside. The houses and farms are built in the typical brown natural stone. We drive through remote villages. Many are empty and in decline. Hundreds of white cows stand in vast meadows of lush grass. The area becomes more and more Mediterranean. We're back, woohoo.

In Mazarone, we find a cozy place to stay by a quiet side canal of the Garrone. Here, there are 'road vagabonds' like us, who live in campers, and there are 'water vagabonds' who live on the many houseboats and barges in the water. Many have built beautiful gardens on the deck. Various boats of all kinds can be seen. There is a friendly atmosphere and greetings of Bonjour come from every corner. We feel comfortable in beautiful France.

Our last stop before the Atlantic is Lake Biscarrosse. We arrive in Gates and settle down for a few days at a campsite right by the lake. The nearby nature reserve invites hiking. There are countless oil drilling stations on the lake. 3% of the French oil demand is produced here. Unfortunately, this has its effects. The adjacent streams all have an oil film on the water. We have to keep the dogs from swimming. Nevertheless, we enjoy the days here very much. There are delicious mussels to eat, I do laundry, we make minor repairs, and enjoy the pool area including the whirlpool.

Finally, on May 1st, the day has come. The Atlantic is in sight. My favorite sea is right in front of us in all its glory. We drive to Contis to our favorite spot behind the massive dune. We were already here last year and felt very comfortable. Familiar feelings quickly arise when driving onto the site. We quickly set up table and chairs, hang the hammock in the pine trees, and off we go to the sea. As usual, big waves crash onto the shore and the dogs and we are blissful to be back in this beautiful place. Contis is a little surfer's paradise. The small town behind the huge dune is completely geared towards surfers and tourists. Shops, bars, and restaurants line the street, and the buildings and streets have to be dug out regularly because the dunes have spread. The beach behind the dune is unparalleled. Fine sand, seashells, and the sea as far as the eye can see. You can take 1000 photos and it's still not enough. Huge pine forests with enchanted paths complete the picture. For us, Contis is definitely an absolute special place. Once again, we meet such nice people here. On our last day, a beautiful bright yellow VW bus arrives with two young girls from Germany behind the wheel. You can rent this great bus for weddings. We think it's a great idea. With our bags full of 'positive vibrations', we start our further journey after three days. We don't yet know where it will take us. We have the luxury of being able to go with the flow. We will stick our noses in the wind and go where it smells sweetest.