Carol had located a camp site that sounded much more like us on the approach to Die (which, I imagine, is pronounced “Dee” in French); it was a relatively new aire naturelle (4-5 years old) that would “have some shade when the trees grow up”. Aire naturelles provide larger pitches and are more basic with fewer facilities, all of which suits us admirably. We set off at about 10:00 AM and were quite soon crossing the Rhone, leaving the Ardèche and entering the Drôme departement. The French are very fond of naming their departements after rivers.
After 60 miles as we neared Die, the scenery changed as hills began to develop into mountains on both sides. Our first shot at a camp site, the aire naturelle, looked fine and got better as we were welcomed by a friendly owner. The site is on flat land in a bend of the river Drôme and, given the lack of tall trees, with views of the surrounding mountains. Being new it also has standard plugs and, luxury of luxuries, 10 amp electricity hook-ups. Best not get used to it, 6 amps is more usual in France. We’re equipped with our own shade so the lack of any trees larger than saplings is no problem – unless it gets too windy, that is.
We came here largely to revisit the Vercors plateau, which was a French Resistance stronghold in WW II. Previously we had stayed to the northwest of the Vercors so this time we are on the southern side. Our helpful host gave us a local attractions guide and I’m sure there is enough entertainment for several days.
We cycled the five miles into Die. I was sure we were going down hill, even though it seemed to be hard going, and that the return five miles would be up hill and into the wind. There’s something about mountain territory that makes judging the lie for the land difficult, though, and we seemed to be going down hill on the way back, too. Maybe Mr. Escher designed the roads around here. 🙂
After our barbecued guinea-fowl, some strange wet stuff fell gently from the sky in the late evening and overnight. Oh well, I suppose it had to happen. If tomorrow proves too murky for the plateau, we’ve lucked out again; Die market happens on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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