France 3, Le Train a Vapeur

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Our first little outing, a ride on a steam train, Le Train a Vapeur des Cevennes, from Anduze to Saint Jean du Gard, about 13 kilometres, www.trainavapeur.com . Out we go in the midday sun (mad dogs etc.!) and the temperature is now 38 degrees C. Lots of people on the platform, make our way into a carriage and collapse on a rickety wooden seat. Off we go to the sound of lots of wild hooting from the engine, into quite a long tunnel. This is where we realise that the old carriages have no glass in the windows. Lots of soots and debris swirling around the carriage, into eyes and up noses. We emerge to lots of coughs, sneezes and shaking of clothes and what am I wearing? My new white t-shirt! The journey takes us past some spectacular scenery including a man swimming in the nude.
There seems to be a lot of noise from within the carriage, I pay a bit more attention to the inhabitants. Yes, thats right, we have got the carriage with the class full of 'special needs' kids on a day trip. They are having a whale of a time, running up and down the carriage, knocking on the doors of the adjoining ones, shrieking and running to hide and getting very over excited! Bless them!
We get off the other end for some refreshments and then take the return journey, arriving back in Anduze looking like Fireman Sam! Bur I did enjoy the views. Thats enough excitment for one day, back to the campsite for a shower, hairwash and a cup of tea!

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