GK Tours. Day 9 Tuesday 12th November
Royan to Cadillac sur Garonne.
This morning started lovely and sunny, but very chilly.
After depleting our supply of clean garments it was time to find a laundry. We identified a couple, one was within the complex of a very big supermarket.
Well, first we had to find a way in 
harder than you would think as most of the entrances had 2m height barriers, meaning we had to go round again. Only to realise the launderette was the furthest end of the car park – with more height barriers 
. Not sure why but we decided not to stop & shop & launderette and moved on to the next nearest.
It took an hour or so but soon we were all spruced up and ready for another road trip 
.
Leaving Royan we headed towards Bordeaux, just as it started to rain. This is the first rain we have encountered since we arrived in France and we were hoping it would freshen up the outside of the van .
Our journey took us through farmland until we reached the main roads, some of which were toll. Our little Fulli toll-tag (which sits on the windscreen until activated) worked a treat, it always gives us a little glee when it beeps and the barrier raises .
We knew when we were nearing Bordeaux as vineyards came into view and the Châteaux were advertising their wares.
All of a sudden the road became very busy, another indicator that we were nearing the world’s capital for wine. It was good to get past it, we could relax without juggernauts coming at us from all angles .
Cadillac sur Garonne is a small town just south east of Bordeaux on the river Garonne. We are staying on a Municipal Aire – these are provided by the local council and facilities range from nothing to everything, sometimes free and if not minimal costs. This one is free and offers just emptying services. It has subsequently been converted into a Camping Car Park aire.
When we arrived it was quite busy with cars, so we grabbed one of the last parking spots. Lucky we arrived when we did, as the car park almost immediately filled up with parents collecting children from the school opposite.
There are another 5 vans here with us. It had stopped raining shortly after we arrived so we took a walk to the boulangerie and patisserie for bread, oh and a couple of delicious cakes for pudding .
It was turning to dusk as we walked through the village so the lights were coming on. Lights make everything look so pretty 
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Making our way to the church we also found the Chateau Ducal. An amazing building sitting in the midst of the village. Reading the info board, it was built by a duke and then eventually was the first ever French women’s prison. Wow, I bet it has some stories to tell!
This little village is just lovely, pretty little shops, tidy streets, friendly people and battlement walls with gates still standing. A great little find.
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