Europe Trip 2022 - 1
Monday 29th August (Day 1)
So a nice easy paced start. We finished loading and were off around midday in the hope that we missed any bank holiday traffic. We had not thought things through as we were booked in for a meal around 6.30pm in Folkestone. Lunch was to be in the motorhome at the M11 services. That would have meant, with a good run, around 2.15pm. Thinking this was a bit late we opted to stop by the side of the road. This proved a good choice as about ten miles of the M11 was very slow. That aside the run was good; stopping just off the M20 to top up with gas and then Tescos in Folkestone for diesel. Our stop was ‘The Valiant Sailor, pub, Capel-le-Ferne which is just outside Folkestone. We were met by the landlord who settled us in and informed us that the kitchen was to close at 5.00pm and the pub at 6.00pm. So we were lucky we had a good run. 4.45pm saw us seated and chatting to a couple who also had their motorhome in the pub car park. They were from March! We had two great burgers and chips (half price on Mondays) with a pint or two. A bit stuffed with food we went for a walk. Being at the top of the cliffs everywhere was down (and mostly 1 in 1 down). We got to the beach and chose our return route which was even steeper in parts. Back at the motorhome we sat and chattered until bed.
Tuesday 30th August (Day 2)
So a reasonable nights sleep, although the road noise started around 6.00am. After breakfast we made our way to Sainsbury’s for some Southern Comfort but it was too dear. The Channel Tunnel was only a ten minute drive, except due to Brexit, the entrance we would have taken was closed off so it took an extra fifteen minutes drive. That said we were booked on the 11.20am and still got the 10.20am and we still had time to try the duty free and they had just started selling Southern Comfort (£14 a litre!) So it would be rude to to buy it, well two. Despite all this faffing about we were still on the road in France by just after noon. We drove for an hour or so and then stopped for lunch by the roadside. We had planned a route that avoided Rouen as the road works and other traffic issues there made this a place to avoid. We (well I) had planned a route taking us to the east of Rouen via Gournay-en-Bray. A slight change of plan and, while still to the east of Rouen, we stopped at Lyon-La-Forêt. To get here though was a lovely drive for the last half at least, with wooded roads and farm land. The aire was only a car park but level free and situated in a most delightful village. A walk around the town and a beer was had but, ‘disaster’, we were looking forward to freshly baked croissants etc for breakfast but the only patisserie in the village were on their holiday until 7th September. Looks like yoghurt for breakfast. We sat in the motorhome and started the international Scrabble Championship. For the first time we had a draw but I am still up 1.5 to 0.5.
Wednesday 31st August (Day 3)
So after breakfast we were off just after 9.00am. Again though a change of plan from yesterday. We originally decided on an aire near to Saumur but this morning we thought it was a bit far it was also about €10 and we also thought we could find a better location. So a quick scurry in the ACSI book and we found Camping La Route D’Or in La Flèche. we put this in the satnav and found it to be a little under five hours, not ideal but sounded good and only €15 with pool and good facilities. We had a good run stopping at a pleasantly shaded spot for lunch which was after a fairly large shop at an Auchan superstore. When we arrived according to the ‘lady’ satnav we were in the middle of nowhere! We were near La Flèche but no camp site. Eleven kilometres on and we found it - we believe the coordinates we input by me incorrectly! We set up and decided to stroll into the town which was founded by Henry IV. Indeed there is / was a large military garrison and college here that he founded. A pleasant walk around and then we commenced our return when the heavens opened and thunder roared. It rained like we have not seen for about four months. Stair rods! We had to continue back without a thought of shelter as our chairs were out and the big heki was open. I ran on leaving Chris and sorted things and she (a drowned rat by now) followed. We both had to completely change our clothing. A nice cooked tea and then much later bed.
Thursday 1st September (Day 4)
So today is the second day ‘en France’ when we hope to have patisserie croissants. So after a shower etc I walked the twenty minute return journey to the recommended venue. Well, disappointed hardly covers it. Burnt bums on the croissants and the pain au raisin was a flakey weird affair. We later walked into La Flèche to the tourist information to see what cycle routes were available of which there were two. Around 11.30am we set off on a 30km circular route via Luchè Pringè. It was an easy 30+km routes along the roadside and through woods and farm land. At Luchè Pringè we sat by the River Loire and had a picnic. In the village we found a ‘bois de fort’ rink. This game we had seen some ten or more years ago. It was a steel lined ‘court’ with each side curved away from the centre. The idea was much like english bowls but the curvature added an extra element. Also almost no force was required as the ball just kept going. It is a well known local sport with many such clubs in the area Indeed the club we were at was founded in 1902. Eventually we returned back to the motorhome after 33km. We then sat out and people watched as new arrivals set up etc. On our return we saw another Chausson 640. It turned out that Paul and Simon were also going to tomorrows Chausson meet. The four of us sat around and chatted for a few hours before we decided grub was needed. After the meal, or rather during it, Chris commented upon the smoke around us. I looked and had put the oven gloves on the lit cadac! No real issues but replacement oven gloves will be required. After washing up we packed most of the gear away for a prompt (ish) leave tomorrow.
Friday 2nd September (Day 5)
An interesting night with heavy rain and thunder for around six hours. That said the day started sunny and bright. After breakfast we did the last minute sorting, mainly getting off the ramps and disconnecting the electrics and then filled with fresh water on our way out. Our destination was Montreuil-Bellay about ninety kilometres away where we were meeting the ‘Chausson Group’. First though a slight detour in the wrong direction to a L’Eclerc for diesel and some food shopping. (diesel at £1.50 a litre). It was then an easy trip to Camping La Nobis where we arrived at noon. We were soon set up in what was a smallish shady pitch (we may move if we can). After having our lunch we looked at the sky (and weather app) and decided a walk into town may not be a good idea. Well it absolutely poured down with thunder as well. Then it was time for a catch up with those who were already here - some for a week. Chris and I did then stroll into town (a very steep set of steps to do so). We continued for a short distance to a big SuperU as we had forgotten a couple of items earlier this morning. On our way back the sky turned black and we just got back for another downpour (with thunder). This was heavier than the first and one or two pitches had their awning areas flooded. Some more catching up took place until 6.30pm a group of thirty met at ‘Pamela’s Tree to go to a medieval night. (It is called ‘Pamela’s Tree as last year she drove out of the site to return to England and caught a branch of this tree which punched a hole in the front which cost £10,500 to repair.) The medieval night was a four course meal serving traditional medieval fare with wine. A good night was had and on the return we stopped for a goodnight wine in the camp bar.
Saturday 3rd September (Day 6)
Today I went to the reception for our bread order and we had the first decent croissants since arriving in France. It is Chris’ birthday today so after breakfast it was cards and pressie time. This was followed by a bit chatting with others about the previous night and then Chris and I strolled off along the river to just stretch our legs returning for a coffee before a light lunch. Then a large group of us walked to the canoe hire location just out of the town and we all got kitted up for a paddle. While we in the Loire Valley the river we are named beside is called ‘Le Thouet’.The river had barely a current as the water level was so low so it was paddle both ways. We covered just over five miles. One major obstacle was weir and we had to get out, drag the canoe up and over and then set off again. Much hilarity at some people at their efforts to do this, only one fell in. Along the route we saw several herons and buzzards and it was a peaceful afternoon spent. Steak and chips for tea followed by the whole group (about fifty of us) taking our chairs and sitting in a large circle for the evening chatting and drinking.
Sunday 4th September (Day 7)
A busy day (well ish). Starting with a big boys (`English) breakfast. Then we walked up into town as the first Sunday of every month it is a ‘brocant market’. So this was people trying to sell what we would have, in the main, thrown away. So you can see we were not impressed. We then had a beer in a bar and returned back to the motorhome. Around 2.00pm Chris and I cycled off on a circular route. We hoped to find a bar or similar along the route. We thought we were to be unlucky until in Le Courbray-Macoard we found a bar / restaurant / Salon du thé. This was a really eclectic place, everywhere you looked you saw another oddity. We had an artisan beer each. These were poured slowly into the glass until the last dregs. Then bottle was then swirled and agitated to pour the remainder into the glass. It was a great beer (for lager). By the time we returned we had cycled about fourteen miles. After a while we had the evening meal and then a large group strolled up onto the town for a coffee (read beer for coffee). By the time we returned it was bed apart for a small night cap.
Monday 5th September (Day 8)
During the night we had a major thunderstorm and torrential rain. That said the day started quite good and got better. After breakfast we had an 11.00am meet with our bicycles for a group ride. About twenty of us took part. It turned out to be a twelve mile circular ride with a stop for our packed picnic. On our return a few walked up to town for a coffee (Beer!) and then to Super U for a few essential items. A dip in the pool to refresh ourselves and then all were cooking and again we all congregated together for the evening meal - apart for a few who were going out for a meal. Earlier a Hymer came and encroached on ‘our’ area. We invited them to join us which they did and had, I believe, good time. It was about midnight that bed called us all.
Tuesday 6th September (Day 9)
So first thing before breakfast was a cycle up the (very) steep hill to the patisserie as we wanted to try the local fare. The croissants, pain de raisin and pain were great. Then it was get ready for the off for a 40km circular cycle with Le Abbyé de Fontevraud as the halfway destination. The abbey has links with Richard the Lionheart and the abbey goes back beyond him to the 1100’s. The route took in a Millitaire Activie (or an area of active military exercise). On arriving at the Abbey we had a picnic before a visit to it. At one point, the abbey was the centre for over a hundred others abbey’s as far afield as England and Spain.It was also made into a prison for over 200 inmates after the French Revolution and was only closed in 1963. Then the return. Obviously at least 20km but a different route. The return took in the Chateau de Breze. This chateau has been in the same family since the early 1600’s and has never been attacked and overrun. Most of the group came here last week but four of us paid to visit. It had a lovely chateau which was worth the visit and also a below ground chateau with extensive tunnels. This was part of the reason it was never seized. It allowed the defenders to ‘pop up’ at several places behind the attackers, cause a lot of grief and then disappear. It was also the centre for fine wine that the French court desired and had a silk worm farm. In the 1700’s a rule was made that fine clothing, such as silk, could only be owned by the rich and then they could only purchase eight items a year. However, by making your own, it got around this and also made the chateau owners a fortune. The rest of the group moved off to leave us to visit the chateau. The four of us then continued to return and found a bar for a much needed beer. We arrived back at the site around 6.00pm having cycled twenty six miles in total. Chris and I were not that hungry so waited until after 7.00pm to cook our steak with chips and ratatouille. (We had to wait until past 7.00pm for the site to start cooking chips etc.) By the time we had finished and washed up there was a group of about twenty plus outside one of the motorhomes so we toddled over and joined in finishing around 11.30pm
Wednesday 7th September (Day 10)
What a different a day makes. Today was …. wet. Showers and heavier rain on and off all day mainly on. This meant a simple day under cover. Just after midday the skies looks clear enough to risk a cycle up to town to get some bread for lunch. The patisserie was closed so it was the SuperU. I got back just in time. That said on the return down the 1:2 road I almost lost it on the bike; managed to stay on by sheer good luck. After lunch we played the Mexican Train Game with Martyn and Caroline. Then it was dinner which was cooked and eaten inside as it had chilled down considerably. As a group and as the day was so naff we decided to walk to the little barrels bar (Aux Petit Tonnaux). A group of around twenty made the ascent into town and we stayed for just a few drinks. The return was much merrier.
Thursday 8th September (Day 11)
We had planned to visit the chateau in town this morning. Then Glyn came around and said a small group were going to cycle to that ‘Tatt’ shop. Just a short ride away. We decided to join them. We had been had over! It was over eight miles there, although it must be admitted, a pleasant ride. On the way we went through a village called Iron where we had cycled before. One of the houses there had an artisan who made things from metal and in his tumble down garden was a large mechanical dragon. Having got to the shops and bought things we didn’t know we needed it stared to rain. It was quite heavy so we all cycled to a patisserie that did sandwiches and had tables to sit at. Lunch was had while the rain cleared away. It was then the return journey. When almost back Nigel (Paris) got a puncture in his front tyre. The gods of cycling also decided this was a good time for a torrential downpour. So fixing the tyre was undertaken under a plastic poncho. Again the ran only lasted about fifteen minutes and by the time things were sorted we were off. As we arrived almost back Chris and I peeled off and went to SuperU for a couple of items. On our return my phone stared pinging with messages suggesting the Queen had died. There was nothing on the news channels but we all feared the worse. Life goes on. At 4.30pm about thirty or so gathered again for a short fifteen minute bike ride to a wine tasting. We spent a pleasant hour there. Hand on heart there was not a wine, white, rosé, sparkling or red that we liked. While there the confirmation came through that the Queen had died. It was a slightly more sombre group that cycled back. On the way I stopped at another wine maker as we knew we liked his red wine. Ten litres for €31 (or about thirteen bottles for twenty-six pounds). So today it was a thirty mile cycle trip in all. On our arrival back we had a short time to wait before thirty four of us walked up to the site bar for a pleasant but not spectacular meal. We were back and in bed by just after 10.00pm
Friday 9th August (Day 12)
We had a simple breakfast today as, with all the good food we are starting to ‘expand’. We had suggested a ride to the local tea room / bar etc that we cycled to last Sunday. So off we went at 11.30am. A short way out I realised that I had left the motorhome keys at the site. I left them all to go on and returned to get them. I caught the group up and we soon made the tea rooms. However, a wedding had resulted in them closing for two days, this being one of them. A quick check on the dear old web and we opted for the Bar de Vero et Willy. On arriving we realised this was the bar that four of us frequented last Tuesday on the return from Brezé. What followed was a really great meal. A great choice of hors d’oevres’; choice of mains; we had a Guillon and frites which was meat, lardons and mushroom pie; this was followed by a dessert; cheese; iwine ,ice cream and a coffee. All for €15 per person. One set of our group just had chips in a roll so they finished and made their way home living us to continue our culinary fare. When finished the six of us who had the meal left and were back at the site around 4.00pm with a mere fifteen miles under our belt. With the good weather we decided to slowly pack in order to leave promptly tomorrow. We had a few people then come around and play the ‘Ladder game’. We were so full, after the lunch time meal, that an even a snack was not needed. The evening finished with a group of around thirty gathered for the final large meet before most left tomorrow. Slowly we meandered away until 10.40pm saw us all retired.
Saturday 10th September (Day 13)
We had only the two chairs and table to pack this morning after breakfast. So by 10.00am we started the task of saying goodbye to all the folks. This took around fifteen minutes. The we were off. We had selected ‘The Fortified Farm’,La Forêt-sur-Sèvre, Deux-Sèvres run by an English couple (Peter and Vicky - or Vikki). First though a big shop as tomorrow we are seeing Jo , Dave and the children. He will be doing a BBQ so we are supplying the meat. A Carrefour Market was just what the doctor ordered, Once that was finished it was just over the hour to our overnight stop. It is billed as ‘peaceful’ and it certainly is that. It is not just rural but remote….. and lovely. The site has chairs and tables; fire pits, BBQ’s, clean toilet and showers with pipping hot water and a small swimming pool. All for €12 a night. That said I have made a small miscalculation. We should have been about two hours from Jo and Dave but it is nearer four! We sat at a table for lunch cleared away and then went for a four mile stroll around the lanes. Back at the site before 3.00pm we sat in the warm sunshine. After dinner more sitting, reading and watching Freddy the small dog owned by the German couple who were B&B-ing it. Eventually we turned in.
Sunday 11th September (Day 14)
A drive today of just under four hours to Jo and Dave’s at Charras. We had croissants for breakfast purchased yesterday so while ok they were not great. By 9.00am we said our goodbyes and were off. we made good time and wold have arrived too early so we stopped by a Centre Commercial at Anguoleme where we filled with diesel (£1.48/litre) and also AdBlue. Then a cup of tea and off again. We arrived at Charras around 1.25pm, where we received a warm welcome. Jo’s parents (Roy and Mary) came around to say help and stopped for a couple of hours. When we first went Dave and Jo had a Dalmatian (Bailey). On his demise they had anther rescue dog that somehow got poisoned and so now they have Rosa a lovely lively friendly dog. Beers went down (too) easily and around 6.00pm a couple of hours after Jo’s parents left we had a BBQ and chatted about well everything. We had been warned that it would not be a late one as school / work etc tomorrow. So we were surprised to see it was almost midnight when we got into the motorhome
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