08/08/2022 - It was lovely to wake up full in the knowledge that I didn't have to break camp and would have all day to dry the tent, dry 'Superpack' and wash all my stinky gear! Even though I could've layed in, I was up and had said stinky gear washed by 07:30!
I took a morning walk into Loudenvielle which was just across a bridge from the campsite. It turned out to be much more attractive than I expected. For some reason I'd pictured a big, functional town? In fact it's a large mountain village, quite touristy, but that blended in fine with the compact old village centre, and plenty of open space by the nice river.
I had a lovely café au lait at the very quaint Chez Rogé before ambling up to the church, and then ambling back down to relax and have lunch by the river.
The other main job was a proper supermarket stock up! Of course I ended up buying way too much, but I resolved to carry it all regardless! It was great to stock up as I was fully out of food except for two packets of peanuts! After returning the shopping to my camping terrace to sort out later when the intense heat had died down, I decided to air my sleeping mattress in the intense heat. I wanted to get it smelling sunshine fresh! Now, I return to my private school education and lack of accessing any knowledge I gained from it...physics this time! Heat expands air! I aired the mattress well inflated and with the seal firmly plugged, why not?! Well, the air obviously expanded, and as I was relaxingly pottering about my terrace a muffled bang startled me! I wondered what the heck it was and then it clicked - the air mattress! It had blown its internal pockets at the foot end and had a large 'lump' where my feet go! A trip to the Intersport shop was now needed, and fortunately I managed to get a great 'Sea to Summit' replacement for not too bad a price. I was just relieved to be able to replace it, as despite the comfort factor the insulation they give you from cold ground is crucial, especially up high!
In the late afternoon I was determined to try out the Nordique pool the campsite had. Being France you had to have the tight swim shorts option which I haven't got packed. Fear not I thought, two pairs of my quick drying trekking underpants will do the job! They blended in a treat with all the speedos!
After the underpants swim and a lovely long, hot shower I retired to my camping terrace to completely organise myself for resuming the GR10 adventure. It was a great little break, and I was very happy to have dried out and to have sorted myself out to continue tomorrow. The only thing to deal with was a night on the blown mattress with 'lump' at the foot end which I decided to try as a pillow for the night! I'd packed 'Superpack' with the new one, ready for an early and quick departure in the morning! Did I stuff my face again?! Well I'll keep that secret as well! Safe to say I could probably trek all day tomorrow without eating I thought as I drifted off to sleep!
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