The first half-day of this section was along the Lateral Canal of the Loire, and that was the last of our canal walking for this year.
At Diou we branched off to Dompierre, where it was ferociously hot, but we had a beautiful meal in an air-conditioned dining room, and then had to sprint a kilometre back to our tent to beat an approaching storm.
The following day was rather long and we were ten minutes too late to avoid another sudden storm, arriving at our destination soaked to the skin. This place was a former farm, now a delightful, well-run Dutch camping ground, where all meals were provided, including a monumental breakfast.
Walking from there to St-Pourçain, we paused for coffee at Varennes-sur-Allier, where it rained again, then crossed the Allier river and followed an old forest track until it suddenly stopped, forcing us onto the highway for the last few kilometres.
The town of St-Pourçain was attractive and lively, and the camping ground was nearby, on an island.
Day 24: Digoin to Dompierre-sur-Besbre
Day 25: Dompierre-sur-Besbre to Treteau
Day 26: Treteau to St-Pourçain-sur-Sioule