As we are preparing to leave there is a rush of engine noises and crunching gravel as a convoy of little open top cars pile into the carpark. On closer inspection they are all Talbot Samba Cabriolets, rare derivatives of a 1980s supermini, and all in lovely condition.
We say goodbye to Nick and Grete and, after a short shopping stop in Super-U, we set off southwards across pretty French countryside with canals and, surprisingly, a few Dutch style windmills. As we head away from the coast we encounter an unfamiliar phenomenon; hills. Yes there were a few short slopes in Holland but these are real pullers requiring downshifts and more than a feathered throttle.
As we enter the Somme region the scenery is rich green with lush trees, and coloured with chestnut and may blossoms and bright yellow rapeseed flowers.
The road descends towards our stop and we are looking across large areas of water created by peat diggers.
We reach the municipal aire next to a campsite near a village called Long and it’s even lovlier than the pictures. Angled pitches face onto the waters of the Somme while behind us is a grassy area with chestnut and copper beech, lime and larch trees shading 3 boules courts. The clack-clacking and thud of the steel boules plus the ribbing and cheering of the players is the sound of France at play.
Down in the river ducks quack and frogs bark and croak.
Prawns and fresh bread, followed by strawberries, with a glass of white wine is an excellent lunch then later in the afternoon an ice-cream van arrives and we have cones.
Ali gets some washing done, we have a short chat with the British couple next to us then just take things really easy for the afternoon. The temperature rises to 28C by late afternoon and stays warm late into the evening.