France Tour. September 2016. Part 3.

September 9th.

Left Jargeau 1030hrs. Headed towards Normandy. Mostly pleasant rural roads until the N road north, still pleasant enough but with lots of trucks. Drove through the village of Marcilly-sur-Eure, about 1 1/2 miles we arrived at Domaine de Marcilly 1300hrs. Checked in for the night and set up.

It was a beautiful site, very big, but quiet for us. The pitches are in a circular pattern around a central facilities building, a nice layout, all hedged and plenty of space. The site has a large area of holiday homes too. After a cuppa we had a stroll around. When I saw the pool, 

a dip seemed to be in order. It was still hot and apart from the couple sunning themselves we had it to ourselves. Hazel didn't swim in the end as it was to deep for her, but I did and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then we returned to Eevie, had our meal and a few drinks before bed. 

September 10th.

Left Marcilly 0930hrs, headed for Condette. Journey was ok, some heavy traffic around Rouen but otherwise ok. Had a couple of comfort stops, arrived Condette 1500hrs. We'd been here before, a nice small site with a really friendly couple running it. picked our pitch and set up.

Then on the bikes to Hardelot Plage. Visited the poissonaire and bought moules, prawns, and scallops  for the evening meal. Then had a couple of beers.

Cycled back to Eevie , had a shower then set up the equipment to cook and eat outside. I did Moule Marinere while Hazel cooked the scallops and prawns.

A lovely evening and lovely food.

Then to bed, it had been a long day.

September 11th.

Awoke to yet another hot sunny day. After breakfast we saw a small food market on the green opposite the site. 

Took a stroll around it, bought some fruit and veg and took it back to Eevie. Weather to nice to do nothing so I suggested we cycled to Hardelot again. Hazel said, "no point, it's Sunday, always dead".  I I said we could get an ice cream, so off we went. On approaching the town we could see lots of activity, banners over the road, tannoys going. Then we arrived in the middle of a Porche rally.

So much for it being dead, I've never seen so many Porches in one place.

It explained the engine noises we'd heard in the morning, we thought it was boy racers. We had delicious ice creams, and strolled around, looking at the cars.

Then we cycled back to Condette. Relaxed for the rest of the day.

 

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.

Leighton Buzzard

August 21st.

Decided on a trip to "Grove Lock Marina", hopefully for a meet with my daughter Fiona and Grandson Toby. Left storage 1100hrs. Usual delay at Dartford Crossing, otherwise trouble free, arrived on site 1430hrs and set up.

We were in the CL a small site of 5 pitches, all grass but very nice. Then to reception to pay the fees,

It is also the Marina office. The 50 metres along the canal to the pub, "Grove Lock". Where we enjoyed liquid refreshments.

Being a warm Sunday afternoon it was very busy. Then back to Eevie, shower and relax.

August 22nd.

Up bright and early, Fiona and Toby visiting today. We cycled into town as we needed to post a package for Teeny Weeny World, our first online sale. Then back to site to await the visitors. They arrived at noon, Toby didn't want to get in Eevie, a bit strange for him. I finally lifted him in, then he was fine. Had nibbles and gave him his birthday present, it's the 26th but we wouldn't be around for that. Fiona had a go on Hazels E-bike and was well impressed, Toby enjoyed it too. We all took a walk along the canal, well Toby in his buggy. At the nature reserve he had a go at a couple of the balancing poles. Then back to site, spent a while playing before they had to leave.

It was really nice to spend time together and hopefully there'll be many more. About 1900hrs Hazel and I went to the pub for a meal. It was very good. Then off to bed at the end of a lovely day.

August 23rd.

Another lovely day, so after breakfast we cycled into town for a look round. Nice ride as its all towpath, so traffic free. Did a bit of shopping for a BBQ later, then a coffee.

Checked out the charity shops without finding anything exciting, then back to the bikes.

Once loaded up we cycled back to the canal, then along the towpath to see "Wyvern Shipping", a Narrowboat company with whom we have had 2 great boating holidays in the past.

Then back to the site, unpacked the shopping, secured the bikes, then to the pub for well earned refreshments.

Such an idyllic spot to while away an hour. Then back to Eevie. After a 40 winks we had our showers. The block is reall nice, and at one end is a covered area with a large fireplace, plentiful supply of logs, available free to campers.

We rounded off our day with BBQ'd food done on our Cobb. Then an hours TV before bed.

August 24th.

Time to go home, packed up and left site 1000hrs, trouble free journey, and back in Hawkinge 1230hrs. Unloaded and home 1330hrs, it had been a lovely break.

Plymouth and Weymouth, August 2016.

July 31st.

Off to Plymouth again. Left storage 0945hrs. Journey has become routine. M20, M26, M25, M3, A303, A30, M5, A38. Usual delays on M25 at Jctn 11 and A303 at Stonehenge. Otherwise uneventful, arrived "Dolbeare Park" 1645hrs.

Was a nice evening, so we ate outside, cooking on the "Cobb".

Nice to unwind after the monotonous journey. Then a bit of TV and bed.

August 1st.

Up bright and early, dull day, didn't matter as we were off to the wholesaler, "Streets Ahead" to pick up stock for Teeny Weeny World. Spent the usual 4hrs in the warehouse, then to Sainsburys for fuel and provisions before returning to "Dolbeare Park" Dullness had turned to rain so evening inside Eevie.

August 2nd.

It had rained all night, but brighter this morning. Packed up and left site 1000hrs. Usual route to Honiton then more rural and interesting to "Crossways CC Site". Arrived at 1500hrs.

Took a walk to the station to check the timetable, crossed the road to the pub only to find it didn't open til 6. What a bummer, back to Eevie and had our refreshments from our own stock. Then we had our showers, meal and relaxed. I would point out that this site has water free composting WCs. Don't be put off, they are clean and odourless.

August 3rd.

Nice bright sunny day, caught the 1040hrs train to Weymouth.

Takes about 30 minutes. Took a walk to the "Brewers Quay" antique centre. Didn't find anything for us this time, well worth a look though. Then back into the High Street,

and the charity shops. Still didn't find anything for us. Then back to the harbour area for a pub lunch.

Finally we settled on the "Swan Inn", where we had an excellent lunch. Did the shops on the way back to the station, had a coffee in a little cafe opposite, then the train back. Arrived on site 1640hrs. Didn't need a meal so just relaxed, a few drinks and nibbles sufficed.

August 4th.

Up, packed and on our way by 0900hrs, arrived back at storage 1300hrs. Another pleasant trip.

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.