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Saturday 27th September 2014 - Sunday 28th September 2014
Saturday, a completely lazy day, lay about all day doing nothing.
Cycled into La Flotte in the evening, so Kathleen could go to church.
Sat by the harbour, in the evening sun, reading my book, whilst Kathleen did the church bit, bliss!
Sunday, hair washing day, that is Kathleen occupied for the morning. I spend the time packing, the site closes Tuesday, and we plan to leave tomorrow.
A gentle cycle ride into La Flotte for Sunday Lunch, at a habourside restaurant.
We arrive to find the market is in full swing, it is mostly a food market, so, of little interest to Kathleen.
We have an excellent lunch.
Lunch was almost free, because the waiter gave us the next table's change instead of the bill! (we did correct him, honest).
I am becoming a bit concerned about Kathleen's alcohol intake, when it came to choosing dessert, she even opted for Rum and Raisin Ice Cream, that is after a carafe of Rose!
Disappointingly, the nearby bar does not do cocktails, but, we find, they do an excellent Gin and Tonic, well, more a Gin and Gin really, since there was little trace of tonic in it.
Wednesday 24th September 2014 - Friday 26th September 2014
The plan for Wednesday is to do "a little" cycling. Little do we know how much we are actually going to do!
The island is fairly small, we have a map, what can go wrong?
We set off heading for a place called Sainte Marie de Re, which is on the "opposite" coast.
Ile de Re is a cyclists paradise, reasonably flat, plenty of dedicated cycle tracks and/or quiet roads.
There are even signposts on the cycle tracks.
We peddle and peddle, and, we come to....
Le Bois Plage en Re!
At least, it IS on the opposite coast!
Never mind, it is a pleasant place, and (it is not often you will hear me say this) it has a very pleasant market.
Our first purchase is a rather clever little device to chop onion, garlic, parsley etc. It is hand operated, and, we are assured by the lady on the stall, dishwasher proof.
I am always reluctant to buy kitchen "gadgets", because, Kathleen, although very accomplished at many things, is (now how can I put this?) not exactly an enthusiastic cook. (is that a "safe" comment, I wonder).
The gadget is purchased on the understanding, she will actually use it more than once.
Time will tell.
As usual in your average French market, there are excellent food stalls, and we are able to buy our picnic lunch of ham quiche plus a ham and cheese sandwich.
Suitably fed, we decide to continue or quest to find Sainte Marie de Re.
Disregarding the map, and following the signposts, .....
we eventually find ourselves at a very beautiful, deserted beach...
we are now in serious need of an alcohol top up, it is thirsty work, all of this peddling.
We press on, and, eventually find the village square in Sainte Marie de Re, complete with very pleasant bar.
Refreshed, we head for the campsite, via La Flotte.
My trusty Runkeeper App, tells me we have cycled almost 15 miles, this is a record for us on the folding bicycles.
Kathleen cannot wait to try out her new kitchen gadget, and soon has a nice collection of chopped onion and garlic.
This, or course, means she must cook something.
So, here she is, rustling up a culinary delight, alfresco!
We do not have a dishwasher in the campervan, but, I can confirm, the "gadget" is easy to wash by hand.
Will it get a second outing?
Even when enjoying yourself, clothes get dirty and have to be washed, so, Thursday is a "housework" day, clothes washing, riding to the supermarket on the scooter to buy supplies.
New wine glasses to replace those I broke (damned speed bumps)!
The kitchen "gadget" actually gets a second outing, Kathleen cooking alfresco, second day in a row.
Perhaps it was worth 15Euro?
The campsite closes in a few days (30th September), and may people are packing up to leave.
Friday, Kathleen suggests we do a tour of the island on the scooter.
I may be a cynic, but, I am immediately suspicious.
We ride to several places, St Martin de Re, La Couarde Sur Mer, then Kathleen suggests, we go to Le Bois Plage En Re again.
It so happens, pure coincidence you understand, there is an even bigger market on at Le Bois on a Friday.
Kathleen acquires a new pair of shoes, they do not quite fit, but, what a bargain, only 10Euro!
I am joking, they do fit, and, they look very nice, they were only 10Euros.
We return to the van, and have a light lunch, then go out cycling again, there is no doubt, the best way to see this place is on a bicycle!
We ride towards RiveDoux Plage, which is near the bridge which links the island to La Rochelle.
It is another absolutely beautiful day.
I cannot believe how fortunate we have been with the weather, fingers crossed it keeps this way!
But, cycling in the sun makes you thirsty, so, Kathleen is soon peddling off ahead in search of a bar.
Where she is soon on the Vin Rose.
Then, back to La Flotte, this time, for ice cream!
Sunday 21st September 2014 - Tuesday 23rd September 2014
After all of the beautiful weather, today starts as a "frizzy hair" day, foggy and damp.
But, it Sunday, so, frizzy hair or not, Kathleen has to go to church!
While Kathleen does the "church thing", I amuse myself watching a "parade" of British Classic Cars.
Not sure what it is all about, but, there are more Classic British cars here, than there are in Britain!
Then we visit a small area of the town, where all of the houses have mosaics on the walls, made of sea shells.
Again, not sure what it is all about, but, very pretty.
Lunch beckons, cocktails, lunch, followed by Cointreau, is Kathleen safe to ride home?
We plan to leave here tomorrow, so, after packing every things away (except the bicycles) and loading the scooter on the trailer, we peddle down to the coast, for one last evening of watching the sea.
Monday morning, time to leave Le Chateau-d'Olonne and head for our next destination, La Flotte-en-Re, La Grainetier on the Ile de Re.
An easy 60 mile journey.
There is a (toll) bridge, from La Rochelle, to Ile De Re.
The toll, varies depending on the season, at this time of year (September) it is 8Euro for Campervans upto 3.5Tonne and 16Euro for vans over 3.5Tonne.
Much to Kathleens delight, we are charged only 8Euro, despite being 3.750Tonne.
Clearly, the toll booths do not have a weighing mechanism!
Weather continues sunny and warm.
Spoke too soon, Tuesday morning, we have to put the heating on in the van!
Our English neighbours (a very elderly couple, towing a caravan) are leaving. The lady of the pair supposedly hails from Newcastle, you would never think it from her accent, she must have gone to elocution lessons!
Their caravan mover has gone on the blink, so, we render assistance manhandling the caravan into position to hitch up. They are heading towards Cahors, goodness knows how they are going to manage to heave the caravan about.
By lunch time, the sun is out again, and it is warm enough to venture out on our bicycles to explore.
Into La Flotte, the nearest village, to check out the church, ready for Sunday!
Then on a few more miles to Saint Martin de Re, a much more interesting and pretty village.
The "old" village and port are surrounded by a very extensive and impressive wall, dating from 1600's or possibly before. complete with moat (now dry).
There is an impressive church, partly ruined.
It has suffered all kinds of calamities during the centuries, storm and bombardment (not by us, for once, but, by the Dutch).
We find a bar, to have a refreshing beer, and observe this, no doubt worried, campervan driver, who has ended up on the quayside, with a rather large campervan, and a very narrow road, plus lots of pedestrians and cyclists to avoid.
A gentle cycle ride into La Flotte for Sunday Lunch, at a habourside restaurant.
Disappointingly, the nearby bar does not do cocktails, but, we find, they do an excellent Gin and Tonic, well, more a Gin and Gin really, since there was little trace of tonic in it.
