Pujols, Camping Lot and Bastides, Eguzon-Chantome, Camping La Garenne, Marboue (April 10th - April 16th 2015 )

 Friday, 10th April 2015

It is "out of season" here, and, during our time here so far, there have been few people here, but, this morning, even some of them leave, and we are down to three vans!.

The weather forecast suggests today is going to be "changeable", so, we decide to visit St Liverade-sur-Lot, an eight mile ride along the back roads, on the scooter.

We discover, Friday is market day.

It is rather an amazing market, in terms of size, it seems to take up the whole town, we even have difficulty finding somewhere to park the scooter.

The market (other than it's size) turns out to be rather disappointing to Kathleen, most of the clothes on sale appear to be of the type favoured by muslim women!

The town too, is a disappointment, mostly in a run-down state, and, despite it's name, we do not find the River Lot!

All is not lost, we return to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, and Kathleen is able to do a "recce" of the available churches, so, this weekends church going is organised.

Saturday, 11th April 2015

The perils of cycling, my bicycle has a puncture.

I take the scooter and ride along the road to the Auchan supermarket along the road, where I am able to buy a replacement inner-tube.

The original punctured inner-tube is repaired and kept as a spare.

I do not know why I am rushing to do this, since, Kathleen has spent all morning "doing her hair", so, there is no way either a cycling helmet, or a motorcycle helmet is going on THAT head, today.

Sunday, 12th April 2015

Sunday, church day for Kathleen, whilst I have a wander around town and choose somewhere for Sunday Lunch.

It is not a difficult task to choose somewhere for lunch, there appears to be only two restaurants open on Sundays!

Fortunately, given the 50/50 choice, my choice turns out to be very good.

Cocktails, Lunch, Bottle of wine, then we wobble back to the campsite on our bicycles.

Monday, 13th April 2015

Another beautiful day, it seems a shame to leave!

The sun shines for the whole journey,  including our picnic lunch, in a very civilised aire on the A20.

We are heading 240 miles north, N21 and A20 to Eguzon-Chantome, Camping La Garenne, an ACSI site, owned and run by a Dutch young couple.

As you would expect, everything works!

The journey, if you really want to see it!

Pujols to Eguzon-Chantome Part 1 of 28

Part 2 of 28

Part 3 of 28

Part 4 of 28

Part 5 of 28, Part 6 of 28, Part 7 of 28, Part 8 of 28, Part 9 of 28, Part 10 of 28, Part 11 of 28, Part 12 of 28, Part 13 of 28, Part 14 of 28, Part 15 of 28, Part 16 of 28, Part 17 of 28, Part 18 of 28, Part 19 of 28, Part 20 of 28, Part 21 of 28, Part 22 of 28, Part 23 of 28, Part 24 of 28, Part 25 of 28, Part 26 of 28, Part 27 of 28, Part 28 of 28



It is incomplete, because the SD Card became full!

The owner is really on the ball, when he sees we are towing a scooter on a trailer, he immediately offers us a map of interesting places to visit, on the scooter.

We arrive to a sweltering 24C, so not much to do until later in the afternoon, and then a stroll into the village, which appears to have quite a few restaurants, bars and, even a hotel.

In true French style however, it being Monday, only one bar was open, plus the Super-U supermarket!

The village of Eguzon-Chantome is not very big, just a few hundred houses, one supermarket, a church and a few shops.

Personally, I am not too keen on dwelling on the War (either WW1 or WW2), except to say, we do not want to see a repeat performance.

I certainly do not appreciate the sort of
"Biggles" jokes and anti German sentiment, which seem to be essential to many Brits.

But, I cannot help but notice the way in which the French honour their war dead, and the way we Brits do.

As I say, this is a tiny place, but, bang in the middle of the village, just outside the church, there is an immaculately kept war memorial. This is not unique, you will see similar in small towns and villages throughout France.

Tuesday, 14th April 2015

Straight after breakfast, I take a trip to the supermarket, on the scooter, much to my surprise, on my return, Kathleen is all kitted up, ready to go on the scooter, exploring the area.

So, using the map given to us by the campsite owner, we head off for Argenton-sur-Creuse.

This turns out to be a very pretty and incredibly lively small French town.

Kathleen then treats me to lunch, at one of

the cafes in the main square.

Sadly, because we are on the scooter, I cannot make full use of the drinks.

I am not sure what is going on, enthusiasm for riding on the scooter, buying my lunch, is there something I should know?

After lunch, we take the road to Gargilesse-Dampierre, which, we have been told, holds the accolade of being one of the (many) prettiest villages in France.

This turns into a real adventure.

After a few miles, we find the road to Gargilesse-Dampierre is closed for repairs.

In true French fashion, there is a large sign saying "Route Barre, Suivre Deviation", but, of course, no signs to indicate the Diversion!

We follow a likely looking road, which appears to be heading in the right general direction, but, after a few more miles, the tarmac runs out at the entrance to a farm.

We retrace our route, and start again, eventually,  following roller coaster of a road, with numerous twists and turns, success, we find Gargilesse-Dampierre.

Kathleen actually says she has enjoyed the ride on the scooter!

While strolling around the village, and having refreshments, we meet, two Dutch ladies, taking refreshment in a café.

Being a gentleman, I will not say elderly, but, I doubt they will see 60 again, who are walking the Pilgrim Route, from Holland to St Jacques Compestelle.

Now, we have driven to St Jacques Compestelle, it is a long way! We wish them "good luck" on their journey.

We are now on the "other side" of the river from the campsite, so, we head back to Eguzon, via the Barrage and Lac Eguzon.

Wednesday, 15th April 2015.

Wednesday, is Market day in Eguzon, so, off we go after breakfast.

It is a fairly tame affair, only six or seven stalls. Of these only one is selling clothes, and, they are all "granny" clothes. Now, Kathleen is a Grandmother, but, as she often says, "I don't want to look like a Granny".

 After lunch, I am amazed to find, Kathleen is all fired up to go out exploring, on the scooter, maybe, we are into reliving the 60's?

It is another scorching day, but, cool enough as we breeze along the country lanes.

I think the road repair gangs of France must have conspired to have a laugh at our expense, we encounter yet another "Route Barre, Suivre Deviation"!

This time, there are at least a few signs to give a clue which way to go.

At least we get to go the scenic route along the back roads, to Lac Eguzon.

Thursday, 16th April 2015

Just under 90 miles, and we arrive at an Aire, Marboue,  (N48 6.744' E1 19.722), a pleasant spot, about 25 miles south of Chartres. It has the usual Service point items, plus a well maintained toilet.

It is literally just off the N10, but, given how close it is to a major road, road noise is not a problem.

The whole journey, if you want to see some or all of it:

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 1 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 2 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 3 of 28
Eguzon to Marboue, Part 4 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 5 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 6 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 7 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 8 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 9 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 10 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 11 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 12 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 13 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 14 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 15 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 16 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 17 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 18 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 19 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 20 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 21 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 22 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 23 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 24 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 25 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 26 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 27 of 28

Eguzon to Marboue, Part 28 of 28

   

Thursday 6th June 2013 - Tuesday 11th June 2013

Marboue (N48 6.744' E1 19.722'). Another Aire. Toilets and emptying facilities for free, but Electricity and Water are chargeable (Electricity 2Euro for 55 minutes, extortion!). There is space for about ten vans, and, by evening it is full. Not surprising really, it is a very pleasant spot, on the banks of the River Loir and off the busy main road (N10).

It is here, I find, the helpful French people at Uzerche did not do the internet registration correctly, so, I have no internet. I try the French couple parked next to us. They fiddle about with it, but, seem to think it has not worked.

I cycle the 2 miles back down the road to McDonalds, to use their Wifi to do my essential banking transaction.

When I get back, I fiddle around some more with the Orange SIM card, suddenly, it works, problem is, I do not know what I did to make it work!

Turns out, that was a false alarm, still not working!

An early start on Friday (well 09:00), and we are in Neufchatel-en-Bray by lunch time, for our regular stop over at Camping St Clair.

This place just gets better and better, but, the downside of that is, it is becoming very popular. A queue of campervans and caravans waiting to check in when we arrive!

We will have to stop recommending the place!

I find my Orange-France SIM card is not working after all, this is beginning to be very irritating!

Fortunately, there is an Orange Shop in the town, and the problem is soon sorted. It would appear you cannot register a top up from a non-French telephone number.

Only a one night stay, we linger until just before lunch time and then we are on our way towards Calais.

Picnic, French motorway Aire style.

Toilets, plenty of parking, neatly mown grass, no litter, picnic tables provided, and, sunshine of course.

But, the French do not get everything right... we arrive at Gravelines to find it is almost empty, clearly levelling a charge of 6Euro per night, with no facilities except parking has driven people away.

A lesson to Politicians everywhere, if you drive up the price, you do not necessarily increase the income!

We amuse ourselves by watching the street entertainment from a pavement bar. 

Next morning, the plan is to have breakfast as we wait in the boarding queue for "Le Shuttle", but, we are whisked onto an earlier train, before we have even had time to have breakfast!

Once in Dover, it is a short, and almost traffic free (well it is only 8:00 Sunday morning!) drive to the Caravan and Camping Club site at St Neots, to meet up with Gary, Susana and Gabriel.

Here are the "boys", it was both Gary, and Gabriel's birthday, a few days ago (June 2nd and 3rd respectively), so, this is a belated "birthday meeting", plus, Gabriel and Susana plan to return to Baku with Gary next weekend.

Our last chance to see them for a while.

Gabriel has grown a lot since I last saw him, and his talking has come on leaps and bounds (in both English and Spanish).

He is currently fascinated by spiders and their webs.

Here he is studying a spider in it's web, you can just see the spider above and to the left of his right eyebrow!

We visit Cambridge, and take the obligatory trip in a punt, but, not even a family of swans can keep Gabriel awake!

Tuesday 4th June 2013 - Thursday 6th June 2013

Our very pleasant elderly French neighbour departs this morning. Unfortunately, we do not speak enough French to have a meaningful conversation, but, it would appear, she is travelling around France alone, in a very elderly Renault van conversion. Full marks to her!

Kathleen indulges in an orgy of clothes washing, which in turn keeps me busy fetching and carrying water, putting up clothes line etc.

I discover, there is a Pizza restaurant and take-away in the town!

After lunch, we cycle along the cycle track from the Aire.

The countryside is quite beautiful, aided by the fact it is a sunny day.

Although the cycle track / footpath is an old railway line, it goes steadily uphill, and for a railway line, the gradient is quite steep.


I mention to Kathleen that, steam

engines must have struggled up this gradient. Her answer "yes, well, this 66 year old is struggling up this gradient too!".

Something tells me, I am going to have difficulty coaxing Kathleen into doing ten miles along this route.

I am quick like that.

But, trading on Kathleen's love for

numbers and order, I manage to coax 6.5 miles along the route, by the simple expedient of only telling her how far we have gone, when we are just at a part number (eg 4.5, 5.5 etc), this works until 6.5, but, no further.

We reach an idyllic little place called Saint-Jal.

Here, there is a Campsite or Aire, I am not sure, the place was deserted, but, there are Electric Hook up points, Toilets, Showers, and refuse disposal. Saint-Jal (N45.399168 E1.645556).

Sadly, there is not a little bar selling cold beer (or Rose).

Kathleen's only reward for peddling 6.5 miles, uphill, in the heat of the afternoon, on a rather bumpy cycle track, without a word of complaint, is a drink of water, whilst taking in the view.

Followed of course, by 6.5 miles of more or less freewheeling, back down

the track, to the Aire at Uzerche.

While Kathleen rests with a cold beer or two, and sunbathes, I decide to top up my Orange-France "Lets Go" internet. I manage the procedure at the Tabac, without too much difficulty. But, dealing with the automated process (in French of course) of registering my top-up, defeats me.

Fortunately some French Campervanners, on the Aire, understand enough of my Pigeon French, to do the deed on my behalf, at least, we both hope they have!

Turns out, they have not. I ask you, if even French people cannot understand the automated telephone service used to register the top up, how do they expect me to?

Wednesday, we leave, and still heading north drive to LHommaize (N46 26.101' E0 35.811').

This is a pleasant little Aire, behind the Town Hall and just far enough off the busy N147 to be quiet.

There is space for about 10 vans, but, only two Electric Hookup points (unmetered), with water and usual emptying facilities (all free).

There are also cared for toilets in the main square, and a very novel "bio toilet" in the nearby children's play park, complete with diagram of how it all works. Kathleen cannot resist using it. I am getting worried, she is becoming obsessed with toilets, even worse than her sister, Joan.

We have a little explore of the village, and spot this rather pink house!

The person who lives there, just has to be a fan of Barbie dolls!

Needless, to say, there is an imposing church, every French village seems to have one, along with a well cared for Town Hall.

As we return from supporting the local businesses (ie the local bar), we are joined by another English couple, in a campervan, so, we will have company for the evening.

Thursday, off and away, bright and early. We are aiming to be just south of Chartres for our next stop.

It is another beautiful sunny day, the journey is painless, apart from ploughing through Tours.

We are heading for an Aire at Marboue (N48 6.744' E1 19.722') , but, for future reference, we pass several Aires as we travel along the N147 and N10.