We packed up just before the rain came in, and headed off down south to Vizille. This is about halfway between Bonlieux and our geology trip destination. We drove along mainly departmental roads and got a little fed up with the constant roundabouts and slow-moving traffic. At this campsite seems google wanted to take us up a one-way street the wrong way, so ended up driving into Vizelle town and back out on another road to the campsite. Being the end of the season, half the site was closed, including one shower block and the restaurant. This site has many small chalets around the edge of the site, a disease taking hold on more and more French campsites. Thought we were going to be disturbed by one chalet where there seemed to be a group of young men who talked quite loudly. They seemed to go quiet very quickly. Masses of rain during the night, and early morning.
Wednesday 25th
Rain eased off and we walked into town carrying our wet weather gear. Not needed as the sun came out and it became warm. We visited the Museum of the French Revolution in the town’s chateau. Vizelle apparently was the centre of the early part of the revolution and provided a safe place for meetings after the Day of the Tiles in nearby Grenoble. Lunchtime came and we were expelled from the museum. Interestingly, only a one hour lunch. Ate lunch at a small café outside the museum. After lunch a walk around the formal gardens of the chateau. Some odd art structures in the gardens. Plenty of birds on the lakes.
The actual town appeared to be rather closed, several restaurants did not open and many shops looked shut.
Our men in the chalet again quiet after most disappeared in the evening. But at 2.30 am they re-appeared and had loud conversations for the next hour or so. Still, they were up early in the morning to go off to whatever job they had.
Thursday 26th
A sunny day ahead of us, so this time we did not take any wet weather gear with us. We went to the chateau gardens, but this time into the wilder part, following the rivers up the garden all the way to the deer park. The chateau gardens, both formal and wild are a formidable resource for the town. People out jogging, walking, sitting etc. Watched the deer, and then walked back to the chateau and another restaurant for lunch. Again had a formula meal, this time three-course lunch.
After lunch we went to sit in the formal park near the water to watch the ducks, geese, swans (including a black swan) and the fish. Oh and a little snooze.
Back at the campsite, a number of ridge tents had been erected and a large number of people were there. It seemed to be an organised cycling group, with lots of small tents and one large central cooking team. Our men were quiet tonight, going to bed shortly after dark.
