25th July.

Ahh, what I'd give for a dry tent in the morning. Lucky for us we were close to the laundry room so into there to have breakfast, pack and coat up.

Staying on the GR trail today so taking the long way to Lalinde where we will decide if we camp or catch a train to Bergerac, our destination for this section. Misty rain all day and no sign of the sun. Went past some nice old farm houses.

Along the cliff top of the La Dordogne river, pity the view was limited by the rain.

Then along the canal into Lalinde.

We had been looking forward to the section of flat walking but it was very long and terribly boring so it became hard work in the end. Nearly into Lalinde and still no sign of any sun so tent still wet. Caught a glimpse of a train going our way so that was not a good sign. Finally caught sight of the railway station and found we were on the wrong side of the tracks. Took a couple of short cuts through industrial yards and over the tracks and came out in front of the station, very lucky. Yes, there was another train at 5.04pm. The nice lady suggested we leave our packs and check at the tourist office regarding accommodation in Bergerac. Off into town and past this bridge decked out in flowering baskets.

The canal led into this docking pond in the middle of town.

Another nice lady at the tourist office didn't know anything about the accommodation in Bergerac but she was able to tell us that the office didn't close until 7pm. Plenty of time to get there. Time for a hot drink and whilst sitting there something bit Annette on her back. She said she felt it fall down the back of her neck. Couldn't see anything then a European wasp flew out of her shirt sleeve and was promptly dispatched. The sting came up in a welt mark about one centimetre across and looked pretty cross, just like its owner. It was right on the pack frame area so it will rub. Lucky we were not in the forest miles from anywhere cause carrying two packs would be a bit much.

Back to the railway station before it closed at 4.20pm and retrieved our packs. Tent set up on the opposite platform under cover to at least drip dry. A young fellow was playing a saxophone and Annette got talking to him and found out that he was busking for a living. Most days he make enough to eat. Great way to live isn't it? Sort of reminded me of bumming around the country side living out of a wet tent and eating the fruit from the side of the road. (yes, send money, lots).

On the train and 15 minutes later we are in Bergerac. Yes, one days hard walking in 15 minutes. Nearly made Annette cry. Made it to the tourist office and a nice young girl found us accommodation with a place to dry the tent. All the people we dealt with today were very pleasant.

Off to the 'otel and the tent set up down in the basement amongst the boilers, laundry and probably hundreds of years of junk. They could hold tours down here and I believe people would pay it was that interesting.

Dinner at a very English looking pub and then off to bed. Bliss. Woke during the night to find a whole tent floor space between us. Felt like I was in a king size bed. My self inflating mattress now self deflates during the night. We had the same problem with one at the end of last year so we replaced it with a newer model that is a tad thicker. Now I wake up flat on the ground and Annette is about 3 centimetres higher. I'm in the right place of course.