20th April 2010

Looks as if the rain may have gone, sun is shining, with broken cloud, when we wake.

Today is major hair day, it is the full works, washing, straightening, conditioning etc etc, so that will take up most of the morning.

At least the teabags seem to have been forgotten about

By 10:30 the hairdressing is over, and is followed by a musical recital, in the course of which Kathleen makes the acquaintance of some of our neighbours, a couple from Northern Ireland, who are planning to walk into Pamplona today, and get the bus back.

There are bus stops, but we did not see a single bus when we cycled into Pamplona yesterday, so I don not really fancy their chances of getting a bus.

As of 20:45 they have not returned, so I suspect they are walking both ways!



Later (shortly before lunch) we go for a walk, (would have been a cycle ride, but the cycle helmet would mess up the hair).

We walk in the opposite direction to Pamplona, along a very well kept cycle / walking track. I think this must be part of the Pilgrim Route to Santiago de Compestela, since it is so well looked after.

As you can see Kathleen is striding out ahead.

The countryside here is not the barren, parched landscape of southern Spain, it green and planted with various crops, potatoes, maize, beans etc, etc. This much greenery of course must mean it rains here more often than in the south.

After about 2Km we come to a very pretty small village, which does not appear to have a name, just a bridge, and two bars, not even a shop as far as we can see.

When we get back to the van, we find that both English couples we spoke to yesterday have left, along with two Dutch couples, was it something we said?

It is very hot in the afternoon, we have to put the awning up to have some shade.

19th April 2010

We leave to head for Pamplona, it is not very far to drive, but we do remember that last time we came this way, the road was very poor.

We head south on the N10, the Tomtom, then takes us onto small road, presumably to bypass San Sebastian, but it is a bit scary, eventually we emerge onto a decent dual carriageway which whisks us toward Pamplona, the road has been dramatically improved since we last came this way about four years ago.

Eusa/Oricain/Pamplona - Camping Ezcaba - ACSI2010-1599

We had been remarking as we travelled, there was no indication we had left France and entered Spain, other than the road signs being in Spanish rather than French. But on arrival at the campsite, you immediately know you are in Spain. The facilities are clean and work fine, but everywhere you look, there are half finished things. On Kathleen's first trip to the loo, she noticed that the bolt to lock the door had been put on the wrong way around, so it slid away from the door frame instead of towards it. Another bolt had been added (right way round) a little higher up the door, rather than correct the original mistake.

The reception is closed (presumably because it is early in the season), the chap who books us in is the chef in the restaurant, so he really is the chief cook and bottle washer.

The ACSI book says there is a cycle track to Pamplona which about 9km away, so after a quick lunch and a brief chat with another English couple who are here, we set off on the bicycles for Pamplona.

Sure enough there is an excellent cycle track, following a river to Pamplona, so we have an explore. The bull run is not in progress, so we do a cycle run instead through the streets of old Pamplona. They have novel traffic lights here. When you press the button to cross the road, the sign shows a little red man standing still, and a count down of numbers from one minute (ie 59, 58.. and so on), then the grenn man comes on (a picture of a little green man running), and the numbers start to count up (to 30 seconds). The waiting bit is not appreciated by both of us.

Eventually we settle in a pavement cafe. The place is quite busy, after waiting for about 30 seconds, the McCaffery patience begins to slip. I go into the bar to try and buy our beers, but, I am told if you are sitting outside you have to get your drinks from the waiter. Eventually we get our much needed drink. It was bright and sunny when we left, but as we sit (under an awning fortunately) having our drink, there is a sudden thunderstorm.

This causes Kathleen enormous amusement. I have left my waterproof back at the van, and she has her "emergency" poncho style waterproof from the St Claire's walk in her handbag (explains why women's handbags are always so full). Fortunately the rain stops, and the sun comes out again.

We eventually head back to the van, but about two miles from the site, the thunderstorm returns, so Kathleen is able to use her "emergency poncho", which justifies having carried it all this way, I just get wet.

When we get back, we find there has been an influx of vans, there are now two Dutch caravans, a German Campervan and three English campervans, in addition to us. There are also a couple of sets of campers with tents, and a number of what look like static Spanish caravans. The Spaniards are just as noisy as we remember from previous trips, even the children conduct their conversations at a shout.

Fortunately, all the rain is torrential, it does not last for long, and we have done 16 miles in total.

April 14th 2010 - April 18th 2010

 Les Rosiers-sur-Loire � Le Val de Loire � ACSI 2010-963


They must have the BBC doing their weather forecasts here, because the forecast was for sun with a little cloud and 18C. We got full cloud cover, and about 14C, although it did become sunny by about 15:30.


French time is one hour ahead of UK time (ie when it is 08:00 in the UK, it is 09:00 here in France. Kathleen does not change her watch (no, I do not understand why) so in the morning she gets up according to UK time, ie 08:00 UK, 09:00French, and in the evening she goes to bed on French time ie 11:00French, 10:00UK), so it is difficult to have an early start, (unless I go without her).


When I unloaded the bicycles off the back of the van, I found that mine had a puncture which was too big to repair, fortunately I had a spare inner tube. Whilst I was in the process of fixing the tyre, we were approached by an English couple, asking if we had found any good cycling here, since we had not actually got out yet, we could not offer much information.


We eventually got on our way at about 10:30 and cycled across the bridge over the Loire to Gennes, then along the Loire to Saumur.

Unfortunately, the cycle track we scouted yesterday did not go all of the way to Saumur, so it was about half road and half cycletrack, but the road (D952) was almost traffic free, so it was no problem to cycle along it.

Here is Kathleen forging ahead on one of the off road sections with the Loire just visible through the trees to the left.

There are picnic tables at various points along the way, and we stop for lunch by the banks of the Loire, all very civilised. 













The total distance, there and back, plus a bit of exploring was 28 miles, it was a very enjoyable day, not a word of complaint from anyone.

Saumur is a pleasant French town, most of which is located on an island in the Loire. The Loire at this point is very wide, even although we are quite some distance from the sea, with grand bridges linking the island to the two opposite banks.

There is also an imposing Chateau, although it closed to the public at the time of our visit. It is still possible to wander around the grounds, which include a (drained) moat and a series of fortifications.

We arrived back at the site to find we had new English neighbours (from Devon), so that makes at least six English here, including ourselves.

We decide to head further south, partly to chase the sun and warm weather, and partly to meet up with a couple (Lyndon and Carol), who we first met up with in France on one of early trips. We know they arrived in France the day before us, and are just slightly further south than we are. Kathleen is very keen to meet up with them. It does not occur to her that perhaps they are trying to avoid us, I notice in their texts, they have avoided telling us precisely which site they are on! (only joking).

Up prompt, rather than early and away south. It is quite a long stretch so we split the driving, Kathleen gets the short straw and has to drive around Bordeaux. We stop at a Le Clerc en-route and are able to buy some Liptons tea bags. They are not upto the standard of Asda teabags, so I will have to make do with them, leaving the small supply of the Asda ones for Kathleen.

We approach Bordeaux on the N10 with Kathleen driving, first crossing the River Dordogne before it joins up with the River Garonne to form the River Gironde.
















Crossing the River Garonne as we go round the orbital motorway to the west of Bordeaux, with Kathleen driving.

For any of you who have been stuck in the traffic today, just to show the roads are not always empty here, the traffic begins to build up as we go around Bordeaux.

Leave on the A63 heading South West, just like driving in England, except the road signs have more numbers on them, because the French show the European system of road numbers as well as their own. Well they have to do something with all of that cash they gain from being in the EU.


This area is called Les Landes de Gasgoine, it is very flat, a bit like Norfolk but with more sun and more trees.


The sun is shining and it is quite warm, like a good summers day in England.


Biscarosse - Mayotte Vacances ASCI 2010-1023


The site is located on a lake, but only a short distance from the sea. Everything works, and it is clean and tidy. But it is clearly geared up for family entertainment. At the bar, you can have �free� wifi for the price of a drink. The barman even loans us a suitable electric lead so that we can plug the laptop into the mains and not be limited by the battery time. The intention is to update the blog and make a couple of Skype calls. However the downside is, the children�s entertainer is so noisy it is not possible to hold a conversation on the skype, so we give up and retire to the van.

We have a text message from Lyn and Carol, they are proposing a meeting at Bidart, near Biarritz, which is on our intended route, perhaps they do want to see us again after all, there is no accounting for taste.


It is a short hop to Bidart, mostly along a motorway standard stretch of the N10, so no rush to get away, and we arrive by 13:00.


Bidart � Ur-Onea � ASCI2010-1021


We are now in the Basque country, hence the strange campsite name. Like our Celtic friends back home, they have this absurd obsession with having all of their place names and road signs in two languages (French and Basque here), which just makes life more complicated. I should not mock, how long before we have our road signs in English, Urdu, Arabic etc, just to extend �diversity�?


The site is pristine.


We have arrived first. As we are in the process of getting ourselves organised we meet Sam, who comes from near Colraine, Northern Ireland, and is in the process of checking out the vacant pitches. Sam�s main concern seems to be where he will find a bar showing the coming Manchester City / Manchester United match. I am impressed by the way in which he has been allowed to choose a pitch by himself, it is not usual for such responsibility to be devolved to the husband or male partner. But sure enough, shortly afterwards, his wife Alice turns up to vet his choice and make the actual decision.


Lyn and Carol arrive, we chat for most of the afternoon, and toast ourselves in the sunshine, turning a nice shade of pink in the process.


This will mean a return to the creaming of the legs routine. Which at least means the Tomtom will be left to get on with it.


In the evening we talk a walk into Bidart and explore our surroundings. This includes the inevitable search for a church, which we duly find, with masses on Saturday at 18:00 and Sunday at 11:00. It is a lively village, with a beach and promenade.


Saturday morning, the plan is for us to take the bus to Biarritz, whilst Lyn and Carol exercise their two dogs.


Things do not go according to plan.


We miss the 10:53 bus, and decide waiting for the next bus (12:23) is not an option. So we walk into Bidart where we find there is a market in full swing (what fun). Fortunately we meet Lyn and Carol on their way to do the dog exercising, so we enjoy the market from the vantage point of a pavement bar (definitely the best way to see a market, French or otherwise, as far as I am concerned). Kathleen and Carol spend their time updating each other on what is happening in their respective families, including our new grandchild and impending new grandchild. Lyn and myself, discuss the important matters of what has gone wrong with the UK, our thieving politicians, the price of gold, and which shares might make us a few pounds.


Kathleen and I eventually wander off to find something to eat (a bottle of Rose, Pizza, followed by Strawberries and Cream, and very nice too), whilst Lyn and Carol, continue with their intended walk to exercise the dogs.

Suitably repleat, we return to the van to lie about in the sun, it is a hard life, but someone has to do it!


A good day, so far, the missing teabags have only been mentioned about five times by late afternoon.

We spend a very pleasant evening drinking wine and chatting with Lyn and Carol, eventually being forced indoors at about 23:00, becuase it is too cold to stay outside any longer.

Sunday, it is time to say our fond farewells, Lyn and Carol are off to join up with some other friends, Terry and Ingrid, to continue their trip into Spain. It being Sunday, Kathleen is off to the church at 11:00, and I while away the morning in the town square, alternating between reading my book and watching the world go by.

After church, we linger in the pavement cafe overlooking the square with a glass of rose, before returning to the van for a leisurely lunch and more lying about in the sun.

April 11th 2010 – April 13th 2010

To Dover


We left home at about 10:00, for an uneventful drive to Dover. No hold ups, so including a break for lunch we arrive at Dover 16:45, for our 17:00 checkin with Norfolk Line. The ferry is running late anyway, and loading does not start until 17:45, but we still manage to sail just slightly late at 18:05.

We arrive at Dunkirk, 22:00 (French Time), but the ferry is surprising full and we do not get off until 22:15, so we are beginning to think we will be too late for our first campsite. We intend to stay at Guines, a pleasant site, which is just about 20 miles from Dunkirk.

Guines – La Bien Assise ASCI 2010-841


No need to worry, we arrive at 22:45, and although reception is closed we are able to find a spot, get plugged in and organise ourselves.

Kathleen rustles up one of my favourite meals, Dickensons Mince and Onion pie, with baked beans and potatoes, she is a star.
 Just a couple of “incidents”, one concerning the heating of the beans, and the other our electric fan heater, (they are not connected) but I have been told I must not mention them on any account, so I can say no more.


But a bit of Red Wine and some Gin & Tonic and all is right with the world.

We wake to a dry but chilly morning. After a leisurely breakfast, we are on our way by 10:00. First task is to fill up with diesel, we have made it from home to here on the first tank full, but are now down to less than a quarter tank. We find a Le Clerc, and fill up at Euro1.13/litre, just slightly dearer than it was a year ago here, obviously they do not have Brown/Darling managing their economy.

The intended route is to pick up the (mostly free) A16, south from Calais, switch to the A28 at Abbeville, still heading south toward Rouen. We do not have a definite destination in mind, it is just a case of heading south in the general direction of Bordeaux and seeing how far we get by say 15:00.

It is decided we will use the HSN (human sat-nav), instead of the Tom-tom. Unfortunately, unlike the Tom-tom, the HSN’s attention sometimes wanders, and I am told to leave the A16 at junction 24, the problem is at this time I am two junctions south of (ie past) that, and well on the way to Amiens. You can certainly cover some kilometres, even at 80km/hr (60mph), on these empty roads.

So we leave at J21. This is a very small junction, and more fun ensues. They have installed an automatic machine to take your toll, if you want to pay in cash. Not sure (yet) if this is widespread, but we have to wait for a good five minutes behind a GB Range Rover driver who is struggling with the machine. Kathleen hops out and “helps” him out, eventually we both get on our way.

We enjoy a scenic tour of the Somme Valley, including a stop for lunch, via Flixecourt D57 Hangest-sur-Somme, D3 Longpre, D216 Airains, D936 Le Translay , D928 Bouttencourt, (I suspect this area is the setting for the romatic bis of the book “Birdsong”). Eventually we join the A28 (where we should have been) south of Abbeville, on past Rouen to join the N154, another free motorway standard road.

Kathleen picks out a campsite as we go. The address is entered into the tom-tom and we arrive at about 15:00.

Marcilly-sur-Eure – Domaine de Marcilly – ASCI 2010-864

This is a four star site in the ACSI book (we even have our own picnic table on our pitch), we have been here before and it is very smart, but it almost exclusively given over to static caravans and chalets, so it does not have much atmosphere, although fine for an overnight stay. We are at first the only one’s here, but at about 20:00 another campervan arrives.

We are having a more leisurely day today, with cups of tea etc. This brings to Kathleen’s attention that, it would appear, someone has forgotten to pack the tea bags. This is a problem, you cannot buy ASDA tea bags in France. The accused one (me) cannot remember if they were packed or not, but they are ticked off on her check list. So far I cannot find them in any of the cupboards, so it does look like a no.

The weather has improved during the day as we drove south, and it is now sunny and mild.

Kathleen rises to the occasion for a second time, with another culinary special, as you can see.

We head off after breakfast, Kathleen driving and the Tomtom doing the navigating. Heading for Les Rosiers-sur-Loire , near Saumur, south east of Angers, in the Loire valley. It is an interesting journey, mostly N and D roads (more of less equivalent to A and B roads in the UK), D143 to Dreux. It is here last year that the Tomtom refused to respond in the middle of town and got us into a right pickle, but this year no problem thankfully. From Dreux it is the D928 to Nogent-le-Rotrou all through beautiful rolling farmland and forest. Unfortunately the sun is not shining. N23 toward and then around Le Mans and onto La Fleche, leaving on the D308, then D938 to Longue-Jumelles, D79 to Les Rosiers-sur-Loire on the banks of the Loire.

Les Rosiers-sur-Loire – Le Val de Loire – ACSI 2010-963

The site is of the swimming pool, bar, shop, playground etc etc type, not usually what we go for, but at this time of year it is quiet and we have our choice of where to set up. There are only two other touring caravans here when we arrive, and another two camper vans arrive later in the afternoon. The weather has perked up, we have warm sunshine, so all is well.

We explore the village of Les Rosiers-sur-Loire, it seems quite pleasant and has all of the requisite items (ie bar/café, restaurant, church, a few shops), we also discover there is a cycle track along the banks of the Loire, so weather permitting, that can be our outing for tomorrow.

Still have not found the teabags by the way!

Packing (10 April 2010)

We are packing for another European trip.

We do not really do plans, but the plan as far as it goes is, south through France to Biarritz, then diagonally across Spain to the Costa Brava, linger there for a few weeks in the sun (hopefully), visit Barcelona. Then meander north again, probably to Annecy, then into Germany.

The packing has reached fever pitch today. One little event to share with you, an object lesson in understanding women (will anyone ever manage that?).

We have recently bought two folding sun loungers to take with us on our trip.

This morning, Kathleen was packing them into the van. She asked me "shall we take two sun loungers, or one sun lounger and one foot rest, because you probably will not use your sun lounger?". I pondered this strange question for a while and answered "no, take the two sun loungers, I am sure I will use one to lie on whilst reading my book". A certain look flitted across her face, no words were spoken, but I knew straight away - wrong answer.

I back peddled, "but, if you prefer to take one foot rest, and one sun lounger, then OK, do that" (both for her of course, but I have more sense than to say that). 

"OK", she agreed, and loaded up one of each. 

My question is, why ask the loaded question?, why not just cut to the chase and say "you never use a sun lounger or a foot rest, so I am just going to take one of each for myself". Women's logic I suppose.

Camera, charger and USB lead to connect to computer are all packed, so there should be photographs this time, provided we remember to take it with us when we go out for the day.

Wednesday 21st October 2009

Home

Home again, back to the routine, raking leaves etc etc

Tuesday 20th October 2009

Milestone Caravan Club Site (Cromwell near Newark)
The day starts exactly as forecast, high cloud with a little bit of blue sky, and cold.

After breakfast and a leisurely sit around reading the newspaper, we set off to follow the cycle ride on the second map we have been loaned, this is to take us to Newark.

The first 1.5 miles are on a cycle track alongside the A1. This is not very pleasant, while it is safe enough, the traffic noise is loud and constant. But soon we are on a small quiet road which passes through the villages of North Muskham and South Muskham, before we join another cycle track which brings us to Newark.

We park our bicycles beside the river. We notice there is a cycle ride signposted along the river at this point and decide we may follow it later (in the event this is not to be).

We visit Newark Castle, ruined when the Royalists defending it were ordered to surrender by Charles I on his capture, and the Roundheads then destroyed most of the Castle by blowing it up, (seems a bit petty). This was followed by years of the local population helping themselves to the fine stone to build their own houses, until now all that remains are the least accessible bits.

The Castle grounds also house the Tourist Information building, for those of you who may visit, there are toilets here, but Kathleen was disgusted to find they cost 20p for a p, so to speak, so be warned.


We retire to the old Buttermarket building. The building itself is quiet beautiful, but the collection of rather “twee” shops inside and the number of empty units is disappointing. There are however two highlights:

On the upper floor there is a coffee shop, selling enormous portions of excellent cake. I had warm Plum Bread and butter (two thick slices), while Kathleen had an huge piece of carrot cake which I had to help her to finish (I am all heart in that way).

There are free toilets.

When we emerge from the Buttermarket, suitably stuffed with cake, we find it has begun to rain. This puts and end to any notion of cycling along the river, so instead we cycle back to Cromwell, arriving quite damp after our 12 mile round trip.

I think this has put paid to “the nice young man in reception”, he told us, that whilst it may be overcast today, it was not going to rain. While Kathleen may forgive him for giving us yesterdays route over fields, nettles and fences, I know there is no way he will get away with causing her to get her hair wet!