France Tour. September 2016. Part 2.

September 6th.

Really hot morning, we decided to stay another day and have a look round town. As seen yesterday, there are many old tudorish buildings. There was a great fire in 1524 ( long before the Fire of London) which destroyed much of the city, but many buildings in the centre survived, dating back to that time.

Nice that they did as it gives the city a unique character.

We had a look round the old streets then into the centre for lunch. We had lovely ham and cheese crepes in the cafe we'd had beer yesterday. Had a browse in the shops before returning to Eevie. 4pm it was still hot so I had a swim in the pool, the water was really cold, but refreshing. Then a quiet evening before moving on in the morning.

September 7th.

Left Troyes 1000hrs, heading for the Loire. Leisurely drive and plenty stops before arriving "Giens" 1450hrs. Checked into site "Touristique du Giens". And set up.

After a cuppa, we rode our bikes across the bridge and along the river to a Carrefour for some supplies. Still hot so on the return run a refreshment stop was in order.

The buildings you can see opposite is the campsite. Returned to Eevie, freshened up. Rounded off the day with a lovely salad.

Moving on tomorrow.

September 8th.

Left Gien 1030hrs, slow drive along the river to Jargeau, arriving 1150hrs. On arriving at the site, L'isle aux Moulins we realised we'd been here in 2013, but got fed up waiting for reception to open and moved on, it was raining at the time. No such problem this time, checked straight in and it was still hot.

Then off on the bikes for a look round. 

Very small centre, with the usual cafes shops etc. Cycling on one residential road we saw a garage sale, so stopped for a look. Big mistake, the little old lady was on our case big time, sadly it was mostly a pile of junk. Stopped on the way back for a beer.

It was only when checking the photos later I noticed the out of place feature. I'll let you work it out, but, no prizes I'm afraid. Then back to Eevie. In the evening we cooked a nice BBQ on the Cobb.

It's days like these that make it all worthwhile.

Going to head North tomorrow.

France Tour. September 2016. Part 1.

September 4th.

Having decide on a short 10 day tour we set off for France. Left storage 0800hrs for the 0925 P&O Dover/Calais. On board headed straight to the Brasserie for breakfast, bit dearer but more relaxed. Lots of people had the same idea, it was quite busy. Enjoyed our meal, then the on board shop for my rum. Soon after that we arrived in Calais. Straight to Adinkirke for my tobacco, then toll free to "Port Plaissance" in Peronne. Pleasant drive, though weather was damp, arrived 1600hrs and booked in for 1 night.

It began to rain for real, so we just chilled out in Eevie.

September 5th.

Left at 0900hrs. This date is the anniversary of our first date, so needed a fair sized town for our traditional evening restaurant meal. Monday's can be tricky for this in the villages etc. Decided to head for Troyes. Arrived "Camping de Troyes" at 1300hrs. Booked in for 2 nights, and set up.

The sun was now out, and it became quite hot. After a cuppa and a rest we walked into town. About a mile and a half. There are many old buildings, similar to our Tudor style.

On arriving at the main square, we found it quite stunning.

Many beautiful buildings and an abundance of cafes and restaurants. We had a  couple of beers then strolled around. Some nice shops, of course we had to check them out, at least Hazel did. Most of them are in streets off of the square. Around 18800hrs we started to check menus in the restaurants for our meal. Eventually settling on this one,

beneath the XXl sign on the right. Chose a table outside and ordered our meal and a nice bottle of Merlot. We were not disappointed, a superb meal.

I had Escargots followed by fillet steak, Hazel salad followed by pizza. My steak was the largest I'd ever had in a restaurant. About 2100 we made our way wearily back to Eevie and a nightcap. Moving on tomorrow.

Bastille Day. 2016.

July 12th.

Decided to go to Montreuil in France for Bastille day on the 14th. Picked Eevie up at noon, headed for Canterbury to do a bit of shopping, then overnight at the "Park and Ride" before the ferry tomorrow. Got some bargains in M&S food hall, love those yellow stickers. Quiet evening listening to the pitter patter of rain.

July 13th.

Left Canterbury at 0800hrs, to catch 0925hrs ferry. All went with no problem, breakfast on board in the "Brasserie", rum from the on board shop, then arrived in Calais. Drove to Montreuil, arrived 1230hrs local time. Set up.

Walked into town for a look round. Texted our friend Kerene who we were meeting here, she hadn't left Folkestone yet. (Travelling by tunnel). Had a good look round, but didn't buy anything, saving ourselves for the large "Brocante" tomorrow. Warm and sunny by now so liquid refreshments were called for.

A couple of beers later we made our way back to Eevie. Had a BBQ cooked on the "Cobb" then bed by 10.

July 14th.

Awoke to a glorious day. Quick brekkie then into town. There was a ceremony taking place by the town hall, for Bastille day.

A couple of "Sapeur Pompiers" with highly polished equipment.

Once this finished we headed for the Brocante. It covered the whole town centre, the square and all the streets. 

It was not as good as the Maisonne Lafitte one last September, we also thought it expensive. Lots to see nevertheless, and glorious weather.

Got ourselves a baguette for lunch. Hazel found some glass she liked, haggled a bit then did the deal. Spent another hour or so looking round.

Then headed back to Eevie. Bumped into Kerene on our way, arranged the time and place for our meal later, then a rest in Eevie.

 1900hrs back into town, and the restaurant. Kerene and Danny were already there. Had a lovely meal, good wine, and company. Collapsed into bed 2330hrs and straight asleep.

July 15th.

Up bright and early, packed up, left site at 0915hrs. Arrived "Cite Europe" 1015hrs. Had breakfast, bought our usual bits, then to the port for the 1520 ferry. Calm crossing then short drive to storage arriving 1630hrs. Home at 1730hrs. A nice couple of days.

Spring Tour, England and Wales. 2016. Part 1.

April 24th.

Up bright and early to set off on our Spring Tour. Left storage 0925hrs, headed for York. Problem free run with a fuel/natural break at Peterborough. Arrived York Caravan Park 1440hrs. Had prebooked so quickly checked in and pitched up.

We'd been here before, a lovely adults only site with 5* facilities. Didn't do much in the afternoon, after the long drive. Hazel did some of her miniatures for Teeny Weeny World, 

I just lazed in front of the tv. Then an early night.

April 25th.

Caught the 10 o'clock bus into the city, £3 return for Hazel, me just my bus pass. Had a walk round the usual places. Lots still recovering from the winter floods. Went to the Railway Museum to see the "Flying Scotsman", sadly it was in the workshop, so this was as close as we got.

Never mind, another day. We were back on site 1600hrs. Dinner and a few drinks before bed.

April 26th.

Woke to snow falling. Packed up and the sun came out. Left site 1000hrs bound for Whitby. Nice drive across the North Yorkshire Moors. Hit by heavy snow at one point, but didn't last long. Stopped to admire the view.

Onward to Whitby arriving at 1140.

Parked on our pitch and just left everything while we walked to town. It was a gale force wind but luckily behind us. We took the cliff top path, halfway we were hit by a terrific hail storm, it was physically painful when it hit us. It didn't last thankfully and the sun returned.

Once down in the town we were mainly sheltered from the wind. Had a good look round, Hazel got some crafting bits, and we had coffee and toasties in a cafe. Couldn't find the pub I was recommended to visit. "The Boardwalk". After a couple of hours we were both suffering the cold, couldn't face walking back into the facing wind so we got a taxi, was a fiver well spent. Had dinner and checked maps for our next stop. Decided tomorrow would be Seahouses.

Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 1.

April 25th.

Did our day at the "Malthouse" finishing at 1700hrs. Quick shower then off to get Eevie, which we had pre loaded so was ready to roll. Left Hawkinge 1840hrs for the short drive to Canterbury Park and Ride. The Dover Road one has motorhome parking similar to a French Aire.

The "Gate Inn" is just outside, so we spent the evening there with a very good meal and wine.

April 26th.

Set off for Dover at 0610, short drive, checked in and boarded. Had breakfast on board, disembarked in Calais at 1000hrs local time. Short run to "Adinkirke", Belgium for my tobacco. Left there at 1200hrs and headed for our first overnight stop, "Camping du Lac des Vielles Forges" arriving at 1500hrs. Checked in using ACSI card and set up.

Quite generous size pitches and faciities are good. We took a stroll to the lake,

Doesn't show in the photo, but it was quite busy as it was a Sunday and there is a watersports centre just along the road. A nice bar next to the site entrance, so a couple of beers before settling in for the evening.

April 27th.

Left site 0950hrs heading for the Alsace region. Dull miserable day which spoilt the drive, as many places worth a look were shrouded in mist. Arrived at Saverne 1430hrs, looked a nice town so decided to overnight here. Found a site "Les Portes D'Alsace. Nice site, cheap with ACSI card. Covered swimming pool and good facilities. By the time we'd set up and having a cuppa the heavens opened.

As it didn't let up the walk to town was abandoned. Even the equestrian centre in the photo became deserted.

Our view by 1700hrs. Such is the joy of the open road. We had dinner watched a DVD then bed. Tomorrow we would cross into Germany.

Chertsey April 2015

April 6th.

Decided to take a 2 night trip to Chertsey C&CC site. One of our favourites. The reason this time was to see Queen Annes Dolls House. We left home 0800hrs. Stopped at Mersham Hatch to visit the "Boot Fair" then "Sainsburys" in Ashford for breakfast and provisions. Easy drive to Chertsey in lovely weather, arrived at 1200hrs. Site was quite busy but we got a nice pitch.

We then took a stroll into town for a couple of beers. Evening spent with a bit of tv and reading.

April 7th.

Caught the bus to Staines then train to Windsor. When we got there they had just completed changing the guard, so we saw the off going marching through town.

Bought a baguette each from a sandwich shop, then headed for the castle. Very long queues but I had bought our tickets online and printed them before leaving home. Of all the hundreds of times I've been to Windsor this was the first time visiting the castle. 

We made our way straight to the dolls house, both of us were not really that impressed, but at least now when customers ask we can say we have seen it. Sadly it was a strictly enforced no photo policy, so there are none here. 

 We did take a stroll round the other displays, again no photos, before looking round the gardens.

All very well kept, but, no doubt an army of gardeners looking after them. On the way to the exit passsed this non public area.

Usual trip round the shops then back to Chertsey and a couple of beers. Back to Eevie where we had dinner and some Rum  for me and wine for Hazel.

April 8th.

 

Homeward bound, left site 1045 hrs and home 1230hrs. Another trip done.