Grete says over the radio that their satnav is showing road closures on the N7 and sure enough as we exit the dual carriageway after Roanne we have deviation signs. We pull into a layby outside L’hopital de Rhins and set a different route. Despite the rain it’s very attractive; from Perreux the D504 is a good two lane road with plenty of twists and turns and hills. We pass Montagny, a beige town high on a hill, as are many of the towns. Amplepuis is fairly busy then we are on some very winding woodland but still wide roads and occasional vistas towards the massiffs or alps. Valsonne is full of pinkish buildings and there are still lots of floral borders around.
Lunch is in a quiet layby approaching Le Bois d’Oingt but shortly after we resume our journey, now in sunshine, we get stuck behind a tractor for 8 or 9 miles. At Gleize on the outskirts of Villefranche sur Saone we stop for N+G to get fuel and Ali to get a little shopping then it’s a transit through the big town centre in busy traffic.
East of Villefranche the landscape opens and flattens with many maize fields, some vineyards and lots of epitome trees along the roadside. We glimpse the chateau as we pass through Savigneux then on through the wetlands to Villars les Dombres. A mile out of town is our nightstop in the car park of the bird wildlife park. Grassy parking areas under shady trees.
After coffee Ali and Grete walk across to one of the lakes where they see flamingos and pellicans.
A Swiss family arrive and park opposite in their adventure wagon; a white four door Toyota pickup with rear canopy, bike racks, a deflated dinghy and a roof mounted tent. The tent unfolds upwards and outwards with dropdown ladders. Mum, dad and three children under five years play outside for a while then get into their second floor bedroom.
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