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Tuesday 14th October 2014 - Sunday 19th October 2014
This will be our last day at Saumur, indeed, it is effectively the last day of this trip, since from tomorrow we will be heading, slowly, toward Calais, to be there for Saturday evening, then catch our ferry, early Sunday.
But, let us not jump ahead.
Another beautiful day, with clear blue sky and sunshine, spent cycling along the south bank of the Loire.
We go from the campsite on Ile d'Offard, to Dampierre-sur-Loire, and return of course, just short of 10 miles.
At Dampierre-sur-Loire, we discover a new Aire, which does not appear to be in the Aires book.
It is in an area laid out as a picnic area, just off the D947, between the edge of the village and the River Loire. All rather pretty, with the usual "borne" to dispense water, dispose of waste, a toilet, but, no electric hookup. 5 Euro per night. (N47.241044' E-0.022341)
Refreshments, sitting in the sun, in Place de St Piere, in Saumur, courtesy of my generous wife.
The rest of the day is spent in a mixture of packing and chatting to newly arrived neighbours, David and Barbara, fellow Armitage Trailer owners and scooterists.
Wednesday, time to be moving on again.
A hundred and twenty miles, more or less, due North, and we park at an Aire, in a small town / village, called Rugles, (N48 49.370' E0 42.619'), in Haut Normandy.
It is a pity it is not Sunday, we have this old church, about 25 metres away!
It is no longer functioning as a church, the main church is in the village, with, it would appear some very enthusiastic, campanoligists.
The Aire is just a few minutes walk from the main street of the village.
It has space for about seven vans. Six free electric hook ups, and a free service point for water, waste etc.
The space is in two areas, three vans and two EHU's in one area, and four vans and fours EHU's in the other.
There are no signs to indicate there is a charge, and, so far, no one has appeared to collect any payment.
It is on the edge of a very attractive public park, with an old water mill.
You can stroll through the park to the High Street, where we contributed to the local economy by purchasing apple tarts, and a couple of beers.
It all seems very pleasant, the customers in the bar even shook hands with us, when we went in for a beer!
This is the town hall.
Now, remember, this a town / village with a population of only about 2,500.
How can they possibly support / fund such a grand town hall?, not to mention the rather grand public park, shown in the photographs above?
It makes no sense to me, but, it appears to work.
Thursday, on to Neufchatel-en-Bray, our old favourite, Camping St Claire. Still as well kept as ever, this ACSI site is only two hours south of Calais. Not that it concerns us, since we are "pet free", but, I told there is a good English speaking Vet in the Town, who can do all of the Pet formalities far cheaper than the Calais based Vets.
Apart from the fact the campsite is very well run, and inexpensive at 14Euro, we use this stopover to fill with cheap diesel (at Le Clerc), and stock up with cheap booze at Le Clerc and Lidl.
Weather is not too kind, warm and bright for most of the day, with just the odd shower, but, right at this moment, as I type this (20:00), it is pouring with rain!
Friday, our friends, (Bryan and Joan, Crick) arrive.
We have a wonderfully sunny day, which we spend in a very decadent way, ie sitting in the sun, chatting about our adventures and drinking beer.
We vary the theme in the evening, by drinking Red Wine, White Wine and Manderine, not all at once!.
Saturday, is another bright and sunny day, Joan and Bryan have an extra day compared to ourselves, so, they head off for an Aire on the coast.
Kathleen has a hair washing session, whilst I go shopping, then we head slowly for the Aire at Gravelines, our usual last overnight stop, when we have an early morning ferry / tunnel crossing.
Gravelines has a few advantages (in our opinion) over the Aire at Calais, ie,
- it is near a Church with a Mass on Saturday evening,
- it is far enough away from Calais to avoid any "asylum seeker problems" (not that we have seen any asylum seeker problems either , on previous occasions).
- There are enough places to walk, cycle to fill the time
- there are a number of bars and restaurants
- it is almost, scenic
Sunday morning, we are up at 6:00 to make our way to the 07:45 ferry, only to find, the travel arrangements administrator (Kathleen) has got the time wrong, it is the 08:15 ferry!
We could have had another half hour in bed!
Home by 16:30.
Friday 10th October 2014 - Monday 13th October 2014
Friday dawns with a thick mist, frizzy hair day, as Kathleen would call it, so, we must wait for the sun to "burn off" the mist.
Then, first task, to find the church which has a Saturday evening Mass (St Lambert de Levee). Google maps to the rescue.
As a bonus, we also find the Lidl.
On our return, our folding bicycles attract some attention from our new English neighbours, Brian and Norma.
After lunch we head off on the bicycles again, the intention is to follow the cycle track along the banks of the Loire.
It is mild, but, with a significant amount of cloud cover.
After about three miles, we feel the first drops of rain, so, we turn back and head for Saumur town centre.
By chance, we encounter a very large Commercial Centre / Le Clerc on the edge of town, a suitable place to shelter from the rain.
Kathleen has still not acquired my birthday present, by good luck, the Le Clerc has Courvoisier.
We discover, they also have a drink called "Mandarine Napolean", which our friends, Bryan and Joan had told us about.
Kathleen decides to buy both for my birthday.
It is my lucky day.
My luck doesn't last, Kathleen has no money with her!
So, I buy myself a bottle of Courvoisier and a bottle of Mandarine Napolean, for my birthday.
The rain has stopped, and we have blue skies, when we emerge from the Le Clerc, but, I am weighed down with bottles of drink and a three litre box of wine, so, we limit out cycle ride to just over six miles and head back to the van to sample the Mandarine.
It is VERY NICE.
Saturday and Sunday, weather is "changeable", although, we do not actually get much rain, but, the uncertainty limits the length of our cycle rides.
Lunch on Saturday, and we are able to eat outdoors in the square.
Saturday evening we able to peddle to St Lambert De Levees, so Kathleen can attend church, and return, without a soaking.
Sunday, a forecast thunderstorm, turns out to be a few heavy drops of rain, and a few distant rumbles of thunder, not enough to prevent a walk with refreshments!
Monday. Blue sky, sunshine.
We decide to cycle along the River Loire.
I want to cycle along the South facing river bank, ie, the opposite side to the Chateau.
I actually checked it out on Saturday evening, whilst Kathleen was at church.
It is not a dedicated cycle track, but the road is very quiet, with a 30kph (20mph) speed limit.
I am over-ruled in favour of the North facing river bank, because:
- It has a dedicated cycle track.
We will pass the Le Clerc, and can then buy another bottle of Manderine Napoleon.
Kathleen says so.
The positive aspect of this decision is the route is very scenic, but, since at points in leaves the river bank, it is a bit up and down hill.
The folding bicycles are good, but, they are not ideal for steep hills!
Nevertheless, we manage just over 16 miles, and, acquire a bottle on Manderine Napoleon.
Wednesday 8th October 2014 - Thursday 9th October 2014
As we are doing final packing up to leave, the sun comes out!
Tempted to stay, but, no, off we go the 80 miles or so to Saumur.
Shopping for food (and wine) supplies en-route.
We have some rain en-route, but, soon the sky clears, and we are back to sunshine and fluffy white clouds.
The campsite at Saumur is an ACSI site, called Ile de Offard (N47 15' 36" W0 3' 52").
It is located, as it's name suggests, on an island in the River Loire.
At the entrance to the site is a large notice board, informing you in several languages what to do if the site has to be evacuated due to flooding!
A trifle worrying, since, it is soon p***ing down, with thunder and lightening thrown in.
Kathleen, looking on the brightside, points out, we are on a pitch at the highest point in the site.
Thursday and the weather has improved, sunshine with a little cloud, is the official description.
What is it with women?, a fine day, and, their first thought is "nice day to do some washing".
So, we make use of the washing machines and dryers, clean clothes all round again.
After lunch, a stroll into town (Saumur).
First, we check out the Tourist Information Office, closed for lunch, (separating the French and lunch, is no easy task).
Next, by chance, we locate a restaurant which I have read many recommendations for (Le Trianon).
The reviews I have read, say, it looks a little basic, and old fashioned, indeed most of them compare it to the Café in 'allo 'allo, (the comedy series, for you youngsters).
Well, it remains to be seen if we will try it of not. The menu looks appertising, and the price is an incredible 11Euro, but, it does really look "shabby chic".
Time for a little culture..., a wander through the streets of the "old town", check out the church, and visit the rather imposing Chateaux.
This, I assume is the servants quarters!
No wonder the French had a Revolution!
Eventually, we are fully cultured, and retire to a bar.
While we are enjoying a refreshing "biere au pression", we meet two of our neighbours from the site.
The lady of the pair injured her hip some years ago, and, has since had the joint replaced no less than SIX times, and, they still ride around on a tandem! Some people are amazing.
