It feels that I’m not only leaving a holiday but leaving the world of holiday is general, as I leave the holiday industry which I’ve been in for the last 7 years and start my new job on Tuesday. I’m looking forward to it, but it does very much have a ‘back to school’ vibe to it. I should really get a brand new protractor, compass and set square to mark the occasion. 

We’ve had a super doop last day of our family holiday though. I’m sitting here on our verandah for the last evening blog here – the sky : all pinks and oranges reflecting off the lake in front whilst monster carp (what’s left of them*) break the water jumping for supper.  The weather has been 30 degrees and blue sky. After a morning of trucking to the local city and checking out the hypermarket for food and wine to take home, we hit the outdoor pool and beach area. We stayed there all afternoon, having a dip when it got too hot then drying off whilst reading or sipping a cold one. Our afternoon was about as laid back as the cricket, which I had on in the background, thanks to the trusty long wave radio that I brought along for the ride.   

We’re not looking forward to tomorrow – packing the car, cleaning the lodge, driving, driving and more driving. We’ll set off from here about mid day then should be home for around 9pm if the traffic is terrific.

Berny-Riviere fish problem 2013

*The big bummer about the whole holiday has been a problem with the beautiful lake in front of our lodge. This, according the the many fishermen I’ve spoken with has yielded BIG carp and sturgeon – 30lb and beyond in previous years. A lot of people choose to come here specifically for the fishing. I wouldn’t have minded a bit of a plop, myself. Due to some problem though, we’ve seen scores and scores of them, dead. Huge magnificent specimens struck down in the prime of their life as well as scores and scores of sprat – baby fish.

The rumour mill has been rife and everyone has ‘heard something off someone’ from disgruntled customers putting rat poison in the lake to the water not having enough oxygen in it. The one I’ve heard today though sounds the most plausible – as our next door neighbor told me “It’s been in the French newspapers” – Somehting to do with a works in the local city Souissons,  spilling  chemicals into the river, which feeds the lake at Berny-Riviera fishing and camping site – net result, no net results. Although the fish have been getting cleared every day, it did spoil the nature element of where we are somewhat and many parents here were worried for the safety of their kids coming into contact with or being in proximity of the lake – but my kids and the other kids who share the enviable lakeside pitches that I know about are all fine.

I just hope it gets sorted for next season – I imagine they’re doing everything possible to fix it. Fingers crossed (well not my fingers – which are on the mend by the way) the lake will become health and happy again very soon.