How about a robot lawn mower? When we were pedalling our boat in Veyrier-du-Lac a week ago we both remarked on the neatness of a very large lawn verging on the lake. Clearly it was the work of a very conscientious gardener. But no, as we got closer we could plainly see a device about the size and shape of a large typewriter (remember them?) crawling around the lawn, deftly avoiding obstacles like the large plane tree which was prominent. It made no sound and had no visible means of support, so was probably powered by an electrical battery and guided by sensors. That night, Google served up an ad to me for just such a device, a robotic lawn mower (and we don’t even have a lawn).
Something more mundane. Apple’s “lightning” power cable is a survivor. We have several and I’d left one coiled in the button down pocket of a shirt which Mary washed, very efficiently, in our Veyrier-du-Lac washing machine. To my surprise it performed perfectly after the one-hour washing ordeal and continues to do so.
Buying fuel in France can be tricky. Often a buyer is required to use a totally automatic system and sometimes a human agent is involved. In most cases the system requires pre-payment so before you can pump fuel into your tank you must first submit your card (debit card in our case) for verification and limit assessment. Usually the fuel delivery system is intelligent enough to recognize that the card belongs to an non-French-speaking owner so it provides written instructions on screen in the appropriate language. It’s a good system which eliminates the human factor and presumably allows 24/7 fuel purchase without risk of theft.
Automatic change dispensers for ordinary shops. At least two patisseries we’ve used no longer require payment to be handled by counter staff. When payment time comes the customer deals with an in-counter robot which handles both cash and card and dispenses accurate change if cash is used. The robot verifies that the goods have been paid for and the human counter person hands over the goods. Much smarter, more efficient and more hygienic than the old systems.
And so, back to our travels…
Veyrier-du-Lac and Annecy have been left behind and we’re now in the Dordogne district, some eight hours’ drive SW of those places. The relocation was achieved with few hassles and minimal cost, given that we could easily dodge France’s extraordinary charges on toll roads. Of course, having plenty of spare time to use up on the toll-free back roads makes such cost savings possible.
We’d used Google Maps/Expedia at short notice to find and book a small Auberge at Orcival, a place Mary identified from an old Lonely Planet (remember them) as suitable for an overnight stop on this journey west. Google Maps suggested the Auberge and we booked it, online, a few nights before, straight from that App.
The Auberge turned out to be pretty good, but this was a village where the English language was rarely encountered and we found no-one among the various hotel, bar and restaurant staff who could understand English. But, as usual, we got by. Google Translate was useful, but limited as the village also lacked modern cellular communications.
After a pleasant breakfast we set course for the Dordogne region having agreed on a 4:00pm rendezvous with Micheline, acting for the owner in yet another Airbnb arrangement. In the event we arrived early and, despite language incompatibilities, managed to change the RV time to 3:30pm using email and Google Translate.
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| Lunch en-route at a typical lay-by on a quiet road |
So here we are in a very old two storey cottage, which is trying hard to reach into the 21st century despite numerous limitations dictated by the builders who could never possibly have imagined modern plumbing, electrical and safety requirements. It’s comfortable, but the floors are wonky and the stairs are a work of art rather than a model of efficiency and as for the door locking arrangements, let’s not go there. We like it, and have already used the narrow balcony twice for our evening glass of red.
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| I’ve always fancied a bed with a boating/fishing motif as bed head. |
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| View from our narrow but spacious balcony |
Video of the trip from Veyrier-du-Lac to Domme and arrival.
Thanks for reading
Kev
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