Campsites,France # 9of16

Périgueux’s campsite was rather special, with a lake and a waterfall. When Emmy first arrived with her large bag of stale bread, there was but one lonely duck, who was about to be overfed. The duck quacked frantically and was soon joined by four dozen hungry friends and relatives.

Bonifacio, Corsica, an outstanding ancient town, sits high on the edge of a cliff, with walls and a fortress, colorful shopping streets, and with multicolored buildings on the lower level, right along the harbor. We camped in a primitive site without electricity, then the next morning we had a glorious 30 minute ferryboat ride to Sardinia. The view back to Corsica and Bonifacio, with the colors of the cliff and the buildings, was outstanding.

We drove past a roadside service area near Bazas, and saw a drive-through campsite with a hotel, gas station, and all the trimmings. The only one we have seen in France, designed like this. We went on to the campsite in Dax, very expensive, but nice, and filled with snowbirds, ready for the winter season.

Here we are, little ‘ol friendly travelers, parked right next to Carcassonne’s ancient medieval double wall with 51 towers, built to keep out not so friendly travelers. At sunset we walked and walked through this most fascinating city, then drove the mile or so down the hill to the very nice, brand new campground.

After hours of careful driving we arrived in St. Jean Maureiane, a rather dreary town that day. The first campsite was filled with what looked like a band of Gypsies. Before we could even get turned around to leave, a dozen Gypsy children were begging, and trying to get hold of our camper. We found another campground nearby.

Our ferryboat left Livorno, Italy, at breakfast time and arrived in Bastia, Corsica, by lunch. The morning rainstorm had increased in intensity, so after driving around Bastia, we drove on to Corte, near the center of the island. After locating the rather primitive municipal campsite, we walked awhile and saw the castle on top of a large rock in the middle of town.

The campsite in the little town of La Coquille sits right on the Dordogne River, and there were several businesses where kayaks or canoes could be rented for a river trip. A truck would take a load of people and boats up the river, then the boats and passengers returned to this spot. The river was filled with people, including a lady who would have been considered exceptionally gorgeous, even if she hadn’t forgotten most of her swim suit.