Further south and warming up

 Friday 28th April 

Yesterday and today have been travel days. Yesterday we travelled to Clermont-Ferrand which is in the mountains sort of in the centre of France. It is a large university city and is surrounded by a chain of volcanic mountains. On the way yesterday we stopped at a village listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France in our Michelin guide. It is a spa town but we were hoping to view the gallo Roman museum - unfortunately not open till 2.30 so that was a bust. We did stop at the old station which has been renovated as a function centre. Beautiful coloured sandstone.

The old railway station.
Nearby was a park for leisure vehicles - 9.50 euro pn. About $16. 

The drive was very twisty and lots of up and down, generally good roads. Once we left Vierzon we moved out of the crop growing area and there were a lot more smaller 'paddocks' often bordered by hedges. Not sure what the main agricultural activity was in the area. We stopped at one viewing point to look at an old castle - Chateau Rocher from 13th century.

Stayed at Clermont-Ferrand for one night and had a lovely dinner. I had butter chicken and Rob had brochette de canard (duck).

Today we have travelled further south and west but first a visit to le Puy du Dome which is a high point above Clermont-Ferrand in the ring of volcanoes, 2600m. You go up to the top on a train which works its way round and round and up. Spectacular views over the whole area from the top. This is where Pascal was able to prove that air pressure varies by altitude.

Very cute - there were a few people with dogs at the top of the Dome.

From the top Rob spotted the Clermont-Ferrand racing circuit. Ok Dora - take us there. We couldn't get a look at the actual track from where we were but he with the silver tongue talked the girl in the office in to taking him down for a look at the track. Now we had to get back on track to get to our next accommodation.  

A lot of roads in the area are closed due to snow in winter. We were pleased to see a lot of 'col ouverte' signs so we didn't need to have Dora find an alternative route. The route further Southwest was again twisty and hilly but generally good roads travelling through a lot of pine forest areas. There was quite a bit of logging going on but no timber jinkers thankfully. And the weather has improved heaps. Today it was 28deg and still quite warm at 8pm. They say maybe a storm tonight. 

I was a bit concerned about finding this place as the car gps didn't recognise the address so I'd written down the instructions that google maps showed on the tablet - but not my phone. We missed it on the first pass but stopped to ask at a garden place down the road and they set us right. We are very happy with our little gite and are here for 1 week. Tomorrow morning we continue eating our way around France with a visit to a nearby market.