You know that feeling when you arrive at a beautiful lake… and the first sign says “no dogs allowed”? Well, that's how the day started. At sunrise (which for us is any time before lunch) we approached the Lac de Rouffiac. Well-maintained beach, trimmed grass, little boats, activity signs… and a big sign with a picture of a dog crossed out that left my tail in broken antenna mode. There weren't even any humans there, but even so, I was banned. Daddy Edu looked at the sign, looked at me and said: "We're leaving". And we left. If I can't set foot on the shore, let the ducks enjoy it.

At noon we set off in the camper van heading north. First strategic stop: Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche. There, Dad went into "pre-winter squirrel" mode and disappeared between the Lidl and the Intermarché. I stayed guarding the van, as always. He was inside for almost an hour. When he returned, he brought enough food to feed a regiment or build a fort with yogurts.

We continued on our route along narrow roads and a stretch of toll-free motorway. We stopped at a picnic area to eat and rearrange the shopping, because putting all those bags in the camper van was like playing Tetris with food. Dad cooked, I supervised. Then came the siesta… and not a discreet siesta, no: we both slept like logs. When I opened an eye, it was almost six o'clock.

It was time to move on: destination Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. Before leaving the village we refuelled at the Carrefour petrol station. I, as a professional co-pilot, put on a serious face while we filled the tank, just in case anyone doubted our importance.

Ten minutes later and we arrived at a huge picnic area on the banks of the Vienne river. Meadows, trees, not a human in sight… our private paradise. No one to bother us, no one to give us a strange look, no one to say "dogs are not allowed". Just the river, the silence and me marking my territory with elegance.

Here we set up camp for the night. If anyone shows up tomorrow, they'll have to ask my permission to use my lawn.