Thursday 17th October (Day 57)
Rain during the night but a bright start to the day. Today is going to be a long drive as we need to be close to Angouleme so we can visit the Chausson dealer to fix our leaking water pump. We made the drive even longer as we wanted to (a) avoid the ring road of Bordeaux (often a contender to match the M25); and (b) drive a 'pretty route' (which will be slower). We managed both. The roads were, in the main, good but the scenery was brilliant. Driving through one village we were surprised to see, strung across the road high up, a line full of bras - all sizes and colours, quite weird. The one small issue for the day was we needed bread for lunch. Spotting a bakery I pulled into the roadside and advised Chris to go out the habilitation door as the traffic was fairly constant. This she did and somehow tripped over the kerb. This would have been, reasonably, ok if it were not for the concrete block stopping people parking on the pavement. It was quite big being 20cm high, 15cm thick and 75cm wide. Well did she take a tumble! Putting her hands out to save herself meant she (we) were lucky she did not break a wrist. That said cuts and bruises galore! Lunch was eventually eaten by a winery before we were off again. Eventually we stopped at Nersac by the river which was a great spot. Not where we should be so we tried again and ended up with the last 200m being on foot! We (well me) decided that the stop in the middle of Nersac was to be the stop for us tonight. I have no reason why as the first place was smashing. The only plus side was all facilities, including electric, were free. We were just south west of Angouleme and about forty minutes from the dealership. Again the Aire was pleasant enough, although most of the town was shut but at a cost of nothing it was a bargain.
Friday 18th October (Day 58)
So we have this leaky pump (I learn that 'suit' was French for leak). Off we went in time to arrive at the Chausson dealers for 09.00 but due to traffic we were ten minutes late. The door was still locked and they were having some sort of meeting. Eventually they opened the door and I explained the issue. All seemed well as they completed the paper work to sort it under warranty. They then returned and said they were too busy and we should come back next Wednesday. My French was not sufficient to explain my true feelings, but I think they got the gist of it. We then drove to another motohome dealership about 800m away. There attitude was "It is a simple half hour job. Of course we will fix it and then you can be off and enjoying France". They got us sorted in less than an hour but at a cost of €170! While happy that this is sorted Chausson will get the bill and my politely pointed comments! We had forgone breakfast expecting to eat while the pump was replaced but they were too quick. After much driving around we ended up at 'Flunch' where we had a great brunch. Indeed we could barely move after it. If you ever see a 'Flunch' the deal is quite simple. Choose your main dish and pay for it. Take it to where the chef is and he will cook it to your liking and then give you two plates. One with the main dish and the second to help yourself to veg - which you can fill again and again. About €8 a person - a bargain. A stop at Carrefour for a couple of things and then off to Charras to meet Jo, Amélie, Léon, Seren and Dave - long time friends who have lived in France over 13 years. We were a bit early so went for a walk. Then arriving at the farm house we chatted like we had never been a part, whereas it was four years ago we last visited. After a while we had to go to meet their two youngsters from school. On leaving the house we found that, while at Carrefour, someone had hit our Motorhome in the back! FFS! Anyway the rest of the evening sped by with drink and chat. We slept in the road outside.
Saturday 19th October (Day 59)
We woke and the household was still slumbering and with a young baby we were not going to intervene and disturb them. Just after 09.00 we were off towards Calais. No set stop time or place being set we just kept on rolling. At one point the main road was totally closed and a diversion was signed. An interesting 15km route of twisty narrow lanes. Consulting the maps we opted to stop at Chartres. However the main road into Chartres, due to roadworks, was restricted to 2.5m wide, so we have no option, for the first time this trip, to go on a toll road (€2.80). We soon arrived at our destination a car park close tp the centre and we walked the forty minutes into the city centre. A lovely old city. At the heart of it was the cathedral and, while not visiting any more churches, it was free and beautiful. It was made all the more so as the organist was playing. Leaving we had a beer each (€16!) (What a difference being in France makes) before going back to the motorhome for dinner.
Sunday 20th October (Day 60)
Our intention was to return to see more of Chartres this morning. Around 01.00 it started to rain and just continued. The forecast was more of the same. We decided to return another time and set off for the ferry port. We made good time despite the weather. We stopped for bread and some 'essential' wine to take home (where I smashed a bottle all over the self checkout floor.) Then off again until it was lunch time. Going on line to book a ferry today was a bit of a shock the usual £75-80 was now £125! I politely said stuff that and we decided to use the £50 saving on a meal. We intended to go to Gravelines for the night but neither of us really rate this stop. While I was driving, Chris found a new to us Aire at a place called Marck. It is less than 15 minutes from the port in a nice residential area with a restaurant and supermarket for hot bread. All services and electric for €8. We parked up in the Aire which was delightful. However, being Sunday the restaurant closes at 18.00. We still had over two hours so went to investigate. Well what a lovely restaurant, the downside was that today they closed at 15.00! A disappointment but this is such a good spot I am sure we will return as it knocks spots of Cité Europe and Gravelines. We went for a stroll around and were so impressed with the area. Returning after a couple of hours we settled in for the evening having to put up with steak and roast pots and ratatouille. A little later there was a knock on the door and a nice French lady collected the €8 to stay - a bargain.
Monday 21st October (Day 61)
A slow start as the ferry port is fifteen minutes away and we do not have to be there until 10.35. I strolled up to the local shop and bought a loaf to make lunch. I could barely hold it as it was so hot. Back at the MH and after breakfast we made the lunch and sorted a few things out before the 'empty / fill' regime, but no filling with fresh water as it was not needed. Off we go and in just a few minutes stop at the wine warehouse where a couple of dozen wines were purchased. Ten more minutes saw us at the port and chaos. Nothing to do with the French although we were queueing to show our passports to them. The queue was down to the UK Border Force. Why there were only two working and what they were doing that took so much time I shall never know. I will say their service was 'poor' and that is being polite. Even on the boat people around us were commenting on how slow they were, even the foot passengers. We made the ferry and left on time. A reasonably calm crossing and then 'Welcome to Blighty' except you could barely see it due to mist / fog. Then the usual drive home in British traffic and rain until the M25. Hey ho a five mile queue. Home by 3.00pm.