We got away from the hotel at 11 am - our train wasn't due to leave until 12.06, but we were ready. Getting back to the station was so easy (didn't use the gps this time, lol); were there in 12 minutes! Noticed a lot of army guys with guns and wondered if it was normal. Nobody seemed bothered. Checked the board for our platform - our train not there! Whatha! Off to the help desk - very crowded, so I took one line and Bryan the other. Bryan got spoken to and was ushered through (he showed our proposed train trip on the app on his phone). Apparently that train had been cancelled. She printed us off a replacement itinerary. The train was leaving in 4 minutes - run! Made it. 

We sat on a couple of dinky seats near the toilet . I found heaps of free seats, but the aisles were all full of huge suitcases and the trip was less than 45 minutes, so we just stayed there. We thought we were so lucky to have caught this train. Then we arrived at Saint Entienne Chateaureux to find that we didn’t have to wait for 90 minutes, for our train to Le Puy en Velay, after all. There was a train there all ready to go in about 35 minutes.

This trip started off a little ordinary, but then we started following the Loire River. Yes, we were in the east of France! And the Loire was flowing north! That's another thing to go on the wish list - follow the Loire from source to mouth. (If we ever come back to France.) Very enjoyable trip.

Upon arrival we thought we should check tomorrow's train/bus out to Nimes. The lady was positive - no bus or train west; we'd have to go back to Lyon. SO - we checked in to our lodgings; yay the internet works; checked the trains to Nimes via Lyon . Thougjt it would be est to go back to the station and confirm.

"No trains." No trains to anywhere tomorrow. A bus to St Etienne at 11.43. Whatha?

I remembered something I'd heard about a rail strike in France a week or so ago. Look at it all later - let's go explore this amazing town. The map from the tourist bureau shows a 2 hour walk, so we opted to foĺlow that route. There were heaps of bars a d restaurants one minute - next thing they're closing! 

We decided to have a savoury crepe at the Place du Plot - I had walked enough. Soon after we'd started eating, a proper restaurant opened! Ah well. Our creperie had nice beer and wine, and the internet was fast. 

Yes, now we know there is a rail strike!!
 
Who knows where we'll go tomorrow.