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Sunday, 29th April 2018
Substantial thunder storm overnight, with heavy rain. Bright and sunny by 10:00, this morning.
After our cycling exertions of the previous two days, we have a day of doing little today.
A short walk along the Canal du Nivernais, for two or so miles, more thunderstorms by 16:00.
Monday, 30th April 2018
Dreadful weather this morning, strong wind, heavy rain, and cold at only 9C. It does not get much better, as the day progresses. There will be no outdoor activities today, I fear.
Tuesday, 1st May 2018
Dry and sunny as we pack up to leave.
A hundred and twenty five miles, mostly on excellent roads, mostly D606 and N6, then a free bit of motorway (A6) as we approach the outer edge of Paris.
Today (1st May) is a Public Holiday in France, and, it would appear just about everything is closed, only a few foreign registered trucks on the road, all of the French ones are parked in in Services, which are stacked out with them.
Our problem is, we need a few "essentials" and every supermarket we pass is closed. Eventually detour into a small village, and find a bread shop open.
Even the Palace of Versailles is closed today, one of the very days people may wish to visit, you would have thought?
Camping Huttopia Versailles (N48 47'39" E2 9'40") is an ACSI site. Fairly typical "city site" not perfect, but, useful to visit which ever major attraction it is near. We are first of all allocated a pitch which is rather waterlogged (it has clearly rained here a lot recently), but, Kathleen is quickly on the job to get us moved to a better and dryer pitch.
It is certainly well located for visiting the Palace of Versailles, it is perhaps 40 minutes walk from Campsite, or quite cyclable, or, there are buses.
Friday, 27th April 2018
Brilliant sunshine, and a promise of 22C today, but, we are off, heading further north, as we make our way slowly home.
I think I am right in saying, this is the first site I have ever chosen. Kathleen is normally "in charge" of site selection. Hopefully, it will measure up to her exacting standards!
We (well I), had some fun when packing to go. Kathleen hates spiders, and, as I dismantled the camping table, there was a rather large, brown, spider emerged. It scuttled off under some of the gear lying waiting to be packed, before I could "deal with it".
When Kathleen arrived to help (aka supervise), I did warn her about the spider, but, as usual, she did her own thing and began rummaging in the "gear". Sure enough, out came the spider. Sadly, I did not have the camera to hand to record her hopping about and screaming
Even if I say so myself, Les Ceriselles (N47.706384 E3.635451), Vincelles on arrival, looks like a good choice.
Very well kept site, friendly staff, an ACSI site, and only 15Euro/night, including 10amp EHU.
We arrive to sunshine and 20C, so, weather is kind.
Grass pitches, but, with "hardened" pitches for Motorhomes, just in case it is wet.
We try out our integrated barbecue, which came with our new van, for the first time.
Well, to be more precise, I try out the new barbecue, while Kathleen relaxes in the sun.
I have to admit, the barbecue is not a total success, a combination of shop bought kebabs, which are not unto scratch (Casino) and lack of familiarity with the equipment.
Next time will be better.
A stroll to the village, to check out the most important thing for Kathleen ie Mass times for the weekend, followed by a walk along the canal.
Saturday, 28th April 2018
The weather forecast is not good for today. It is dry and cool to start, with rain forecast by lunch time and only 14C.
We decide to cycle to Auxerre, which we estimate is about five miles away along the Canal du Nivernais.
Our calculations are clearly wrong, since we do an 18 miles round trip!
Most of the route is along tarmac surfaced cycle / walking route.
Not the best day we have had, weatherise, but, stunning scenery, and, when we eventually reach Auxerre, there is a free music concert on the river bank. A small
orchestra, playing classical music.
We make it back with minutes to spare, before the rain starts!, it would appear the weather forecast was exactly right.
Hopefully, the rain will have stopped before this evening, so Kathleen can walk to the church in the village, without getting wet.
Kathleen is awarded celebrity status at Church, when the Priest discovers she is a visitor from England, much to her embarrassment.
I spend what I suspect is a fruitless hour looking for likely eating places for tomorrow. I only find two places which appear to be "functioning", one is a bit "burger like" for Kathleen's taste, I suspect, and the other seems to have a menu consisting of French "delicacies" ie snails, tripe sausages! not one for us I fear.
