GO AGAINST IT OR ACCEPT IT - Part 1

La Roche Posay, where I am at the moment is in the Vienne department in the western part of France. 

A medieval town with some 2000 habitants. In the summer months there are I gather around 5000.  It’s water source is renowned for its dermatological benefits. People come here as curistes for three weeks. Usually such people are sent by their Doctors and the Medical Insurance takes this in charge. Many them come back regularly every year. Looking at them I wonder why ? But I stay away as much as I can. My solitude is more important that listening to people talking about their illness - past or present -

To get here it is a hassle. It is stuck in the middle of no-where; 25 kilometres from one station and 40 kilometres from another. The bus transport is virtually non existant between the township and the first station and non existant to and from the second town which has an airport.  Poitiers is an important centre in France. You need a car. I do not have one and will have to put up with the walks around the country side. No way I will be joining the knitting club or learning how to paint or play bridge. As to getting on a bicycle...I would probably fall into the river.

THE brasserie
There is one brasserie in front of my hotel. I went in for a coffee yesterday and was stared at by the locals. Only men. This did not daunt me but I didn’t get served at my table and had to go to the bar to ask for a coffee. Coffee???? It didn’t taste in the least bit like it. Maybe I should have asked for beer but at 10 in the morning...today the espresso tasted vaguely like coffee and I was able to sit out in the sun. 

What this place is like in the summer season, I dread to think.  I don't suggest anyone comes here on vacation...

So I’m going to have to put up with it...and we are only three days down. 


63 people behind me - in front as usual
The Creuse river
Looking back at the medieval town

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