An evening stroll in the countryside around the farm campsite is along a small ridge road with views of the extensive deciduous woods, interspersed with small farms. Honey coloured brown cows look very content in their meadows. A hedgehog takes a stroll across the tarmac. We notice English names on a letterbox at a drive to a converted barn. Next morning camping means we can get a very early start so we are up and down the hills whilst deer are still feeding in the fields, and a red squirrel scampers up a tree. Our aim today is to visit the memorial village of Oradour-sur-Glane. This is the famous village that the retreating German army slaughtered on 10th June 1944. We approach from a quiet back road and come upon the village houses and church, with a very simple wooden cross. Only six out of a population of 600 escaped, with most locked in the church that was incinerated.
All that remains are the stone walls of building with roofs razed. It has all been preserved just as it was found and the replacement village constructed separately across the road. At the main entrance many coaches of sightseers are parked so we are glad that by bike we could see the scene more peacefully off the main road.
We stop this evening at the municipal campsite in the town of Bellac. Perfectly good with trees , lots of grass and space, but opposite the abattoir! Our worst fears do not materialise, as there is no noise or pong from here, in fact there are pink climbing roses around the entrance as there are everywhere around here.
Miles to date :- 2169
Location:St Yrieix-la-Perche to Bellac
