Trip 14 – Italy (The Wedding Trip) – Days 2 to 5

Sunday 27th July (Day 2)

Up to bright sunshine and a lazy breakfast where all ate at different times as they got up. Today was for all an R&R day. We sat by the pool swimming and chatting. After a couple of hours we all had to run into the villa due to thunder and lightening. After half an hour all was sunshine and light again and a return to the pool was in order. Lunch again was a casual affair and the day just plodded along. Quite a few got caught out with the strength of the sun and / or due to missing parts of their body with the sun lotion (or both). Having said that nobody was sore which is good. For the evening meal we had arranged for the owner and his extended familyto cook for the twenty of us. They laid the table upoutside with flowers as well and started to serve around 8,15pm, just as the heavens opened. We allhadto rush inside,rearrange the tables and re set for what was a four course meal that was to die for. The starters weregood and unusual, the pork and sausages were really tasty, well I could go on but would run out of superlatives. we then adjourned back outside where we sat, chatted, played games and drank until almost 1.00am; a good day

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Monday 28th July (Day 3)

Today we decided to get mobile for three days. We went to Sixt and picked up a Lancia Ypsilion which was a good drive as it turned out. The office was really high tech. To take a copy of the credit card, the card was placed under the top sheet of the hire contractand a piece of carbon placed on top and it was rubbed by ther key fob. Crude but it worked. Back at the villa we agreed to go to Arrezo, about 20 miles away. Off we went, taking Sean and Jenny also. Arrezo is the place most Italians would like to live in. It was a really nice place to walk and meander around. We had a Pizza in the (main) Piazza followed by a visit to a clock tower, the cathedral and the old pedestrian area of the town. Walking around was quite a challenge as it was 35 degrees C. We got back to the villa about 6.00pm and it was straight in the pool.

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Tuesday 29th July (Day 4)

We awoke to the sound of rain. Thirty six years ago today the weather was blisteringly hot. How do I know? That was when we got married. After opening cards we had a quick breakfast then went out by car to Montecchielo. This is a small hilltop town about a thirty minute drive away through some very lovely countryside. Here we walked around the narrow cobbled streets with flowers outside all (well most) of the windows. A few photos and then a short fifteen minute drive to a slighly bigger hilltop town, Pienza. This was similar to Montecchielo but a bit more commercial with more shops, bars and restaurants. It is a place famous for its aristocrat (Piccolomini) who became Pope Pius II. He then had ‘his’ town totally rebuilt as a retreat. It was built along Renaisance humanist ideals, stange for a pope, and became the blue print for many European towns. While having a coffee in the square the heavens opened and watching others dodging the rain, or just resigning themselves to getting wet, was a form of entertainment. Off again to another hilltop town (bigger again); Cortona, about three miles from our villa, almost completing our circular drive. For a change, as we left the car, it started to rain so we popped in a restaurant for a meal; only just in time as the rain rained like rain hasn’t rained in a long time. With the steep narrow streets rivers were soon gushing past our table. An hour or so later, replete with food and with the rain almost stopped we returned to our car and then back to the villa. For an evening meal we had salad and stuff, pork and burgers followed by an apple tart. While we were clearing away a man appeared in the villa. He was an Italian and thought, for some reason, we were a restaurant! When he understood that it was not the case he dissappeared like a frightened jack rabbit. The eveninng ended by 16 of us playing ‘Chain Reaction’ which went well with the large group; this was followed by a short demonstration of how to play the infamous ‘Wilderbeast’.

Wednesday 30th July (Day 5)

The bride to be and main ‘players’ for the day went for a rehearsal, hair practise etc. That left just a few at he villa and some were still in bed. After breakfast we went into Cortona, taking Barry and Sarah also. We then spent about four hours walking up and down very steep hills in Cortona. We covered (nearly) every inch and by 2.00pm my calves where screaming for a rest. We stopped, therefore, in a small restaurant for a rustic meal (Tuscany bread with tuna and berlotti beas and a second with cheese and sausage) all washed down with some vino. By 3.30pm we were back at the villa for some R&R. Gradually everyone arrived back and the meal for the night was a mass BBQ using wood. The weather was kind and we sat out until (early for us) about 11.00pm when slowly all retired in readiness for the ‘big day’.

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Trip 14 – Italy (The wedding Trip) – (Day 1)

Saturday 26th July (Day 1)

Off to Italy for a week and a wedding: Tuscany to be more precise. We have, with 19 others which is the entire wedding party, booked the same flight, booked a minibus from Pisa to the villa near Cortona. So up early, a shower, a cup of tea and then by 7.00am we were off by car to Gatwick. We had booked the parking ‘Summer Special’. For about the same as a cab and trains we parked a few minutes from the North Terminal. No lugging cases up and down to platforms, It was most civilised and I would do it again. Then, depite BA’s warning of the airport being busy, the check in and security was remarkably smooth and easy, let’s hope this is a good omen for the next eight days. Quite a few of us didn’t know everyone so introductions, handshakes and kisses all round (not sure how long it will take me to remember names though). Then a dozen of us went for breakfast – Lebanese which was different and very tasty. A quick browse around the shops then off to the gate for boarding. The journey time was one hour and forty minutes – it took a bit longer. As we approached Pisa the sky was black and there was lightning around. Down we went into the gloom. The plane jumped and bucked, dropping and raising many feet, children laughed and screamed and the adults looked serious. The view out of the window was, at best, poor. I hoped the pilot could see ok. Well he couldn’t, and the power came back on and up we went again. The weather was so bad the pilot had to abort any further attempt at landing there. All the Italian airports refused us entry so…. off to Nice! Thirty minutes later we were in the bright sunshine or we could at least see it from our seats as we had to remain on the plane. A cunning plan was required by BA and eventually; a new crew arrived, the weather cleared at Pisa and so some five and a half hours after leaving Gatwick we were off on the thirty minute journey across the Med from Nice to Pisa. We were met by a driver at Pisa and eventualy most of us boarded a bus for a three hour drive to Cortona. I say most, as Resa and Eric hired a car and went shopping. Before we left the airport Dan had the good idea to get some rolls, crisps and drink for the journey, much needed and appreciated by all. We arrived around 9.30pm and there was much confusion as to who was sleeping where. The arrangements had been sorted by room numbers the rooms had names (!)….. Once sorted we went for a refreshing swim as we were still waiting for Resa and Eric due tot he fact that the supermarket was extremely busy. By 11.00pm we were out of the pool and in desperate need of a beer / wine which was still not here. Resa and Eric and the food arrived soon after and cooking started. We then ate and it was a right royal midnight feast.

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Trip 13 – Part 3 – Days 12 to 18 – France and Dover

Monday 7th July (Day 12)
Up, showered and breakfasted by 9.30am. It is a nice sunny hot day so we decided to cycle into Bayeaux. It was about 7 miles. We parked up and had a walk about. Next was a visit to the cathedral which was really nice and made all the nicer as a group of people were singing in a side chapel and the sound was really good and followed you around. Also there was a replica of the Bayeaux tapestry, which saved us money going to see the real thing, especially as we had seen it before, even if it was a quarter of a century ago! A coffee followed this and it was agreed that next on our agenda was a visit to the British War cemetery. This involved a short walk across town but everything is quite close. The cemetery was immiculately kept with 4144 soldiers, sailors and airmen buried there, including some Germans – not sure the reason why. The precision of the head stones was impressive and the average age of those buried was about 21. It was earily quiet and very moving. Afer this we had a snack in a restaurant that was formally a water mill and then cycled home, via a supermarket. We were about a mile from home when a few drops of rain fell. Having got back the heavens opened about 5 minutes later and it poured, so we were quite lucky. We passed some time with the neighbours until we were informed that there was some wine tasting at the reception. It was a pleasant 30 plus minutes spent trying some wines. By now it was gone 7.00pm so we had our evening meal and by 9.30 we retired to the MH as it again started to rain with lightening and thunder also. Hopefully tomorrow will be good again.

Tuesday 8th July (Day 13)
Another gray start with the ‘promise’ of a shower or two. After breakfast we decided a cycle ride was in order and opted for a visit to a local chateau – Fontaine-Henry. Of we cycled through the French rolling countryside which was worthwhile on its own (just as well) and arrived after about ten miles at the chateau to find it closes on Tuesday. A bit of a theme developing as Bayeaux was closed on yesterday. It started to rain lightly so we retired into the only ‘Tabac’ in the village for a coffee. It soon stopped and we consulted the map for another route back home. As we left the sky became very black and looked like really wet weather was on its way. We ignored the omen and continued on the route we had agreed upon which was a bit further but, according to the map, pretty. Soon after leaving the tabac we stopped and put our watrproofs on but the rain, which was only light, soon stoped so we took them off again as we quickly got too warm. We got nearly back to the site when we ‘found’ another chateau and, ‘hooray’ it was open and we were going to get a visit to a chateau after all. NO! It closed two hours for lunch and we would have had to wait for ages (it did not look interesting enough to warrant the wait). We bought some bread and cycled back for lunch. This was interrupted by rain so we stopped and got the wet gear on again and then had to stay under the trees to keep dry as it came down really heavily. When it eased off we moved on back to the site. After lunch we started the first part of the World Kubb Championship which finished with me being 3 – 1. The weather was not really nice so World Scrabble continued (now 2 – 2). A BBQ was the next thing to do which was followed by some drink and a good chat with the neighbours. (They were English and, unlike others we had met, had not moved off on our arrival.) After putting the world to rights we all retired just before midnight.

Wednesday 9th July (Day 14)
We awoke to a grey, but dry day. A quick breakfast and pack followed by saying our goodbyes before moving off. We only intended to drive about 85 miles to the next stopover, stopping only for some shopping and diesel (at £1.03 a litre) the cheapest so far. The aire was on the River Seine and we parked directly overlooking it. While it was a good view it would have been much better with blue skies, no wind, the sun and five degrees warmer. As we sat and watched, river barges passed by. We decided on a walk along the river and walked for about two hours. The highlight was being barked at by some dogs in a compound which had lions and tigers in, not the sort of thing you would normally expect. A sit by the river chatting to the couple by the side of us, dinner, followed by planning the next day to include somewhere to stop and also to re-gas took us to the time we decided to retire for tomorrow.

Thursday 10th July (Day 15)
We awoke to a really grey miserable day. After something to eat and a quick sort out we were off to (almost) Calais. We quickly stopped as we found a L’Eclerc to do all the weekends shopping and stock up on wine etc. Also there was a place to refill our LPG. Unfortunatley the pump was the wrong side, the hose not long enough to reach and we could not turn around so we gave it a miss! The whole drive was through low, misty clouds, and it was cool and drizzly. We were due to go to an Aire at Wissant (30 minutes from Calais). We arrived in good time and, while it was ok it wasn’t anything great so we decided to continue to Calais. We got to Calais and parked in an Aire called Calais 2. Couldn’t find where to pay, drove to Calais1 (which we didn’t like) so returned to Calais 2. It over looks a small harbour. A walk around Calais followed, just for a bit of exercise, then we returned to the MH for food etc. The walk about Calais made it obvious how many people were hoping to get aboard a vehicle into England; they were everywhere although they in no way interferred or approached us.

Friday 11th July (Day 16)
Up and off for the ferry was today’s plan. We were got up earlier than we intended due to banging on our MH. I went to the door and found a wet Frenchman wanting the 7 euros for the stay. It was still not an early start. The ferry was at 10.35am, quite civilised. We had a good crossing. When at Dover we filled up with gas, got some Tesco shopping that we decided we would need and then off to the meet others at Hawthawn Farm, Dover, only a four mile journey. We booked in, emptied our grey and black waste and filled up with water and then made our was to the far end of the site where we were all going to gather so as not to annoy any other campers. Three units were there before us, although they had gone out. They returned and much hugging and catching up was had – we had not met for several years. Later others arrived and set up their tents in the dark making the total crowd to 20. We stood around chattting until around 11pm when we all turned in.


Saturday 12th July (Day 17)
A lazy start! Breakfast and then a long time for chatting. A theme for the evening was decided of ‘Around the world in 80 days’. In the field next to us a was a bike rally. All vintage motor bikes and motorised push bikes. They went off somewhere and we all stood and watched. After lunch we jumped in Dave and Lesley’s car and went to Deal. There we sourced our apparel for the evening – baskets with helium ballons which we made into hot air balloons with cut outs of Phileas Fogg and Passpartout in to put on our heads! Back at the site we introduced some of the people to the game of Kubb. We then had a mass 24 people BBQ in fancy dress. A couple of people were walking by and were coerced into being judges for the dressing up – the winner was awarded a Mexican Marriage Hat which they gad to bring back next year – Chris and a young girl were joint winners. We then set up the big fire brazier and proceeded to sing songs (guitar accompanied) while burning half of the local forest. Eventually, past midnight we all retired to bed.

Sunday 13th July (Day 18)
Just for a change it looks like rain today. After some food we lazed around and at some point an unknown yellow thing came out in the sky and it was quite warm. During the day our son notified us we had some sort of leak at home or water problem and that the clutch has gone on our new car (we shall see). We drove with Dave and Lesley into Deal where there was a a concert in commemoration of the 11 marines killed by the IRA 25 years ago in Deal, this is a yearly event. We arrived a bit late as Lee had only aboout half the tyre pressure in one caravan tyre and the other was flat. Eventually we arrived and the concert was great – Royal Marine Band, Elgar’s Nimrod, Last Post, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory; the works. Afterwards we walked along the front and had fish and chips sitting on benches along the promenade – cooked while we waited and probably the best we have had from a chippy in years. Back to the site to chat, watch the World Cup final (Germany 1 – Argentina 0) and then retire to bed around midnight.

Monday 14th July (Day 18)
Up to the best day so far of the weekend; blue skies and warm – indeed hot. We left at about 11.30am and made our way home having a good run apart from the Dartford Tunnel which took about 30 minutes to get through. It was a good weekend that we will try and make next year.

(Our total Trip was 1376 miles with an average 31mpg.)

Trip 13 – Part 2 – France – Days 8 to 11

Thursday 3rd July (Day 8)

Up with the lark today amd away by 8.30am. In some ways it is a shame to leave such a nice location. However 100 miles to the next place; Concarneau. We have chosen a ‘proper’ camps site with swimming pool, hottub, showers etc, sea views and free wifi all for £11 a night.We arrived withiut mishap nad were saet up by midday. A quick stroll to get our bearings and check out the sandy beach (150m) followed by lunch. Then a swim and hot tub. Chris now noticed our sea view pitch was all in shade so we had to move a short distance. Still not an issue ans quickly done. Back totht e pool and hot tub and then a lie in the sun. A steak BBQ (with frites) for a late tea.Then we sat and talkedabout this and that. Our neighbours (English) decided to go into their van and watch a video! 10.00pm stil warm and after a wine or three it was timeto sleep.

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Friday 4th July (Day 9)

It was market day in Concarneau. So we showered and dressed then cycled into town (about two miles) intending to have breakfast in a cafe. So first a coffee and croissant (freshly baked and hot). Then a walk around the market and, apart from some food, nothing was purchased – a result. Back to the MH for lunch. Today started warm but cloudy but by midday was starting to get chilly, indeed chilly enough for me to put a thin fleece on. After lunch we decided to visit Concarneau old town (castle). We cycled back and walked the ramparts and the narrow streets (and shops). Towards the end of this stroll it started to rain and we were forced to retire to a bar to wait for it to stop. (To add to the insult of this rain we saw on the TV, in the bar, that Wimbledon tennis was on in bright sunshine and high 20’s temperatures.) The rain did not stop so we cycled back in our wet gear. The wind was also getting up so we then decided the awning needed to be put away. While this was being done we could hear the shouting and vuvuzelas of the french on site as France were about to play Germany in the quarter finals of the World Cup. We made our way up to the bar and got the last two seats as the bar was packed and had two huge screens. There was a good atmosphere with both French and Germans there, with a good contingent of Dutch and English also. The match finished 1-0 to Germany which was a fair result. We left to return for some food – it is still raining. Bacxk at the MH we searched the web for the weather locally and it seems we are to have rain, showers and cloud for the next two days at least. Nowhere in France, unless south of Bordeaux will be particlalry good. Bordeaux is too far so we are going to sit it out……. probably.

Saturday 5th July (Day 10)

Last night it continued to rain and by 9am it had rained almost continually for 18 hours with the promise of (much) more to come. The decision to wait it out was vetoed by us both. Normandy will be getting better weather than Brittany. So off we go. Packed up the table, the chairs already away (wet), clothes dryer and bikes. Had a bacon and egg French bread sarnie to sustain us; filled with water; emptied other items and set off. The weather was horrible for driving with drizzle, driving rain and wind but as we in no rush it was of no concern. We stopped after an hour and a bit for a cup of tea. I rememered that I had not put any ‘stuff’ in the loo so I used the ‘Bio-soapy stuff’ we have – more on this later. A nice cuppa and off we go. We had picked an aire near Vires in Nomrandy for the night stop as it had a Sunday market. However, we needed some diesel. I pulled up at the pumps and needed to use the loo first. Here is where it went wrong. The bottle of soapy stuff was still in the loo and had falledn over. I stepped in to the loo to discover that a plastic bottle does not take 14 stone in weight. It exploded! The blue soapy liquid hit the ceiling of the loo and shower room and the walls, the underside of cupboards and the floor. Outside of the loo,as the door had not yet been closed, it hit the ceiling, the rooflights and the kitchen cupboards. In the shower area was my rain wear for my bike (covered). My legs were blue with the stuff and my clothes and shorts also. (I also got Chris). While Chris started the clean up I filled up with diesel. As I stood there in the rain my legs and feet started to bubble. We parked up nearby on the forecourt where there was fortunately some water taps and cleaned the worst of the soap off. We then had to drive into the supermarket car park pull and up the blinds while I had a shower. It is fortunate that this was soap and not anything with bleach in. As such the giggles soon followed. The rest of the journey was uneventful, except all I could taste was soap, but on arriving at our chosen place to stop over we did not like it so we drove to another nicer location in a small town with a river and weir nearby AND it had stopped raining. A walk around Villedieu Les Poeles was in order to stretch the legs. A pretty little town it is with a bell foundry open to the public. We settled for a meal in town and had a really good local dish of rotisserie ham with hot camembert. Hey it started raining again so back to the MH for an evenings entertainment (got up to hour 12 of the 24 series.) A drink then bed. Tomorrow we finish the clean up by finding a washing machine and hopefully sunny weather to dry everything!!!!

Sunday 6th July (Day 11)

We woke to rain. It has now been raining almost constantly for over 40 hours, varying between drizzle and soaking. Plan A was to go to a site we had last been at 25 plus years ago and then move slowly towards Calais. Plan B was go towards Calais and get home tomorrow. Plan A won. After a short drive of just over an hour we arrived at an ACSI site – Le Chateau de Martragny. When last here, over 25 years ago we think, it was a good site; it still is. We set up, got some washing on and the sun came out which hopefully justifies our optimism not to move homeward early. The day gets better we have some English next to us that are really nice and chatty. Looks like Chris & I will be able to chat to others for a change. However, before that we still have a couple of hours work cleaning the van up from my ‘little accident’ with the bio stuff’. After that a BBQ (in the sunshine) and some drinks rounded the day off nicely.

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Trip 13 – France – Days 1 to 7

Thursday 26th June (Day 1)

Not really day 1 as it was a late start. We finished packing and were ready to go by 3pm but decided not to leave until after rush ‘hour’. The QE11 bridge was not moving, 30 plus minutes to get over it so we delayed our leaving until 7pm. Still a queue to get over the crossing and then the M2 had issues so we diverted to the M20. All in all a good run and we were stopped in Dover with 20 or more other motorhomes by 8.45pm, depite some heavy showers on the way down. The only issue was the satnav tried to take us through a 2.3m width restriction when we had set our width at 2.8m. This must be a newly installed restriction – well I hope so. We did not follow the advice but found another way in. We parked overlooking the harbour which was quite pleasant. We then walked to Cullens Yard a very peculiar pub full of all manner of items, flags, tilleys, ships wheels, a skiff, an old bike etc. After a pint we went in search of some chips and found it in Dover Town. (Not sure when we last strolled about with ‘open’ chips and a pickled onion.) Back to the MH for, hopefully, a good sleep before our 8.45am ferry.

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Friday 27th June (Day 2)

While we had a reasonable nights sleep it must be said that the rain, at least for part of the time, was torrential. (Signs of things to come?) Up by seven and after a five minute drive to the ferry port we sat waiting for loading. Despite the number of cars, lorries, coaches, caravans and motorhomes that boarded there were lots of seats and it was not a ‘rush and save a place’ crossing. A good cooked breakfast with tea and juice for £8 was also excellent. The MyFerry staff could not have been nicer. A good thing we were not in a rush as when we got to France as we were virtually last off. Our initial route planning was ‘get to Calais, get off ship and turn right’. This being our plan, such as it was we followed it and after about half and hour found a L’Eclerc (supermarket) as we had only about 50 miles of diesel. Oh the joy of France, less than £1 a litre. This was followed by a quick shop for some food and wine. We had settled on a place, vaguely on our route to stop; however as we got near the skies opened, the lightening flashed but the thunder didnt thunder. Double speed window wipers! We decided that while it was so unpleasant we might as well move a bit further along the French coast. Eventually we stopped at Dieppe with a nice seaview. First things first was a cup of tea (as the rain had continued but with the sky promising something better soon). It cleared up nicely and we had a walk along the sea front and up to the old Chateau on the hill and then back through the town centre stopping for a quick lager. Hunger was now to be sorted and so we did exactly that. After which we had a second walk through the town to the other Aire (camperstop) which while a bit further out of town was very nice, indeed probably a bit nicer than where we were. The weather now was good with the promise of a nice sunset and, hopefully, good weather tomorrow. A sample of the local red stuff followed the walk and eventually it was time to retire (go to bed).

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Saturday 28th June (Day 3)

Well a good nights rest was had (the best of the three so far). While getting sorted for the day some incessant sounding of a car horn was heard. It was the notification that the baker had turned up and so we had nice fresh croissants and petit pain to eat. After breakfast we strolled into town to experience and look at the market. It was a great market with everything that you would expect and it stretched over several streets. Back to the MH and we set of for our next stop – Honfleur – another port. We had a pleasant two and a bit hour drive with a few heavy showers on the way and arrived in time for lunch. At this point I will mention the British (mainly) habit of motorhomers of …….waving to each other. I was informed that, as a motorhome owner, I would be waved at by others of this persuasion and that I would be expected to return said wave. Indeed this is a frequent occurence at home – with the usual sad ‘bastard’ exception. In France it was noticeable that most did not respond to a wave with, perhaps, the Dutch being the most receptive to this phenomenon. This whole, and new, experience of comaraderie is akin to the AA motorcyclists who used to salute (army style) as they drove passed a AA member in the late 1950’s (yes I remember it). This was discontinued in the early 1960’s due to safety concerns (the forerunner of the sad H&S ‘experts’). It is a simple and pleasant expression of ‘oneness’ that strikes a nice chord. Upon arrival we had A quite gatronomic event with pate, crab, meats and cheeses with a bit of salad (not too much) and fresh bread all washed down with a cuppa. After that we walked into Honfleur itself. A port and very pretty town. Take away the parked cars and with the close, old, houses and cobbles streets you would not be too surpised to see Athos, Porthos and D’Artangan come strolling around the corner. We walked up to the Notre Dame de Grace, a 16th century church at the top of a hill – a half mile up a one in three ‘slope’! Having said that it was worth the effort for both the view and the church. On the way back to the main town we were passed by a convoy of cars all sounding their horns as they were on way from the local church to the reception – this being a French custom. A few metres later we saw the married couple sitting with feet on the rear seat and bottoms on the boot of a small sports car which was driven around the town for all to applaud and wave to. For us the next thing was the odd drink or two in establishments around the old harbour which was required to support the local economy. It was then back for a libation and stir fry for a meal. However, even such a simple statement was not without its challenge. We had, on the advice of a friendly Frenchman, bought a box of wine (three bottles) for about, well less than £6. We could not find the tap. Eventually after taking the box apart we discovered the pouch had been put in back to front! Once sorted it did prove to be a bargain. After a drink or two and the meal we went for another walk around the waterfront ‘cos we could’! I must say that life really does not get much better.

Sunday 29th June (Day 4)

Some rain during the night and then some heavy rain when we got up. Got the bread from the Fench baker who came in his car to serve the 100-plus MH;’s and after breakfast we sat and watched the rain. Both previous mornings had started with various degrees of rain and then cleared up so we decided to sit it out. By late morning, sure enough, it brightened up so we decided to stay where we are.We got the bikes off the MH and set off for, who knows where. We followed a cycle path and then a road along the coast and saw some nice views. Part way found an old church open and still in use but, apart for some old lighting, it probably hadn’t changed for centuries. It was only about 20m from door to alter. On the pillars were very old and faded religious paintings. It was an interesting find. We found nearby a map on a wall and decided to try a circular route that was marked. However, we soon found that it involved cycling along a sandy beach – and the tide was in so we had to retrace our steps. The agreed way forward was to go back the way we came and this we did. At one point Honfleur was either left (the way we had already cycled) or right. Off to the right we went and cycled up a hill for over a mile and a half. Well what comes up must come down and we had a nice coast into town. The sky was blue, the sun shining and it was quite warm so by now we were hungry and thirsty. We left the bikes and walked around the dock to a creperie for a gallette complet with a cider to wash it down. (A gallette complet is a savoury pancake filled with ham cheese and a fried egg.) It was deleicious. Back the MH to telephone the Post Office as our Euro creidt card was blocked – my fault. Once that was sorted we returned on foot to Honfleur got some cash and sat and people watched. Back once again to the MH and we sat and basked and dozed in the glorious sunshine until we were hungry again. After a nice tea of cold meats, cheese and bread we resumed watching the comings and goings of people in the late evening sunshine until it turned a bit chilly and we retired inside. Honfleur is a delightful town and the aire well situated and at £8 per night with electrics, a bargain. Tomorrow though it is time to move on and it is likely to be an aire at Fougere which was recommended by some English people that we met on the aire.

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Monday 30th June (Day 5)

After another good rest; we had decided to move on and take some advice of some English people we met who recommended a site a Fougeres, about 130 miles away. After breakfast off we went. We stopped for some basic food at a supermarket that we needed and then after just over two hours of driving we were not happy with some of the location signs we saw so we checked the satnav to find we were now, after 90 minutes of driving only 150 miles away from our destination or 20 miles futher than out start position! A lesson learned (my fault) in that the coordinaes for France are in Westings and Northings and not Eastings and Northings. So a decision was to be had. Drive longer to our intended stop or change our destination. We stopped for luch to view our options and decided to get back on track and go for our intended stop. Eventully we arrived and found a pleasant, nice and free stopover, This has entailed a journey of about 200 miles instead of 130. We set up quickly and walked into town to find Fougeres to be a delightful, small, town with a chataeu, ramparts, a great church, pretty squares and gardens with fountains, in short a great stop. To top this Chris found a clothes shop with some lovely tops for under £10. We then had a beer in a town square and returned to the MH for a great meal of tartiflettes (potato with bacon) and horse (sorry the those who may not like the thought of this). However, it was a grand meal, especially with hot bread rolls. Our main issue so far has been our inability to access the internet, something we will need to address with our intention of further European travel, as even simple things like checking the weather to decide our next destination are near impossible. We sat around and chatted the day and trips highs and lows and were forced to have a small drink. We decidei to roud the night off with the last of the (not too good) shortbread – we known how to live. Somehow the Tupperware container decided to bite me and I lost half of a nail – who can I sue? Where are the emails telling me of the money I can claim in an accident when I need them?

Tuesday 1st July (Day 6)

A busy day today of up and downs as you shall read. As usual we had rain during the night but a nice bright start. My first task was to get some bread. While this is normal today it involved walking from the place we stayed up to the town. A ten minute walk up hill and about seven down with the bread. After breakfast we decidied to have another look around Fougeres and follow the tourist circuit. This invovled going up hill and down dale for well over an hour and a half but was a good walk and interesting. The highlight at least for me was as we were walking along a path in a public garden Chris let out a scream, jumped and screamed again. It appeared she had been ‘nipped’ by a snake. With no thought for self I leaped into action and shot the snake – with the camera. Chris was ok and had no ill effects – my photo could have been used by the hospital if required (see not so daft)! Back eventually to the MH where we applied the MH maxim of’if you can empty your loo, your ‘grey water’ and fill up with fresh water or any of the three do it as you never know when you will be able to next’. Then it was off to a stop near Mont St Michel. The satnav informed us we were at our destination after about 50 minutes of travelling but we were still 25 miles from Mont St Michel. It is now one all in miss programming the satnav but at least this time the ‘destination’ was in the right direction. Off we go again to be told we have reached our destination………. nope it wasn’t here and we never found it but we found another place to stop which although a bit dearer was good. We set up near some English people who then left. The only other English speakers (from Ayrshire) also left although not before we talked to them for over an hour. Next off on our bikes to the Mont itself. Here again everything was up steep paths and steps (and down). We paid to go into the Abbey situated at the summit of the Mont (more steps) as it has been over twenty years since we last came to this place and with two children didn’t pay to go in due to cost. Well although only about £7 each we should have given it a miss as it was not really that aweinspiring. A stop on the way down from the abbey for a cider, with a view, at a bar and then back to the MH. By now we were quite foot weary and tired. First we roughly planned the next few days and then as this was the first really warm evening we had a nice BBQ and sat out. We then, having not had enough punishment, went for a walk along the river. Even at 10pm it was not too cold to sit out. Hopefully the weather has now changed for the better.

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Wednesday 2nd July (Day 7)

Today strated with blue skies and the promise of a hot day. After I had got the bread we had breakfast and, having yesterday discussed at length our intentions for the next few days, packed, filled with water (and emptied) and set off. It was only an 80 mile drive to a beach site at Plouha. We arrived without incident and found a most delightful site in a cove, looking out to sea with a couple of restaurants. There was space according to our guide for 20 MH’s and we parked up and made it 21. The French are obviously not an anal as some English sites and three more MH’s arrived after us and stayed (indeed later on two more arrived). To be fair there was room for probably 27 or 28. Anyway continuing the up and down theme we decided to go for a walk along the cliffs. Lots of ups and downs to be had in mid to high 20C temperatures. The sea was the sort of colour you see in films; blues and greens of many hues really lovely to see. We returned thirsty and tired after about two hours walking and had a coffee sitting out in the glorious sunshine thinking how fortunate we are. This was followed by a walk to the sea; the beach was only 50m from the MH but the sea was a further 200m due to it being low tide. Chris tried the sea but declared it ‘probably ok once you were in’. That was enough for me to decide to stay out. We then lazed on the beach for a couple of hours and returned to the MH for a tea followed by a game of boules (2 – 0 to me so far). We then washed the days grime off and changed out of swimwear and walked to the creperie where we had a complet and cider (again), although for some reason this one tasted much nicer than the last. It is now nearly 8pm and lovely and hot. The sun dissapeared behind the hills (yes I know it didn’t really disappear) but still the temperature is fine to sit out have some cheese and wine and just, well, chill. We have been fortunate to find an unbelievably nice location and with good weather and company it has been a great day.