Nearly the end of the season - how many more can we cram in?

Sumner's Pond - September 2015

Well - wow - we booked this weekend sometime ago as Sumner's Pond always gets booked up and thank goodness we did what a glorious weekend it turned out to be!   Who'd have thought that we - well me - would be sitting in sleeveless t-shirts at this time of the year?  T

This time we decided to take an extra POB or should that read COB?  Rosie our cat came along as a try out and she loved it.   What was so funny was that she really seemed to like staring into the front of the oven!

Another first this weekend was our new awning - yes, we did say we were going to stay with the other one but boys and their toys/gadgets and this one really did seem like a good purchase...

Okay, for followers of our blog you will remember the trials and tribulations of the previous awning - well this one, seriously takes 5 minutes to inflate!   It's very spacious and was so easy to put up and down one person could do it.   Go inflatable awnings....

Finally, we lunched at The Cafe by the Lake yesterday (on site) and had a superb ploughman's lunch - we shared because the portions are huge.   Lovely selection of cheeses all locally sourced.   Thoroughly recommended.

Fairly uneventful weekend, just glorious sunshine and a very relaxing time.  We're planning on at least one more weekend before the winter.

The final bit....

Day 7 -

Well we very reluctantly left Kathy & Dave’s but we knew if we didn’t go today we’d still be there in two weeks!   The plan was to travel up to Amboise to a site called Camping I’lle d’Or – another municipal site.   Now and I repeat NOW, if anyone of you are planning on going to this site using your SatNav then please note that as you cross the bridge and turn right DO NOT take the next right as the SatNav tells you!   We did and had to back out with the help of a very friendly French man and his son.   BTW – there’s also a sign that says not suitable for campers.....  oops!

The campsite is okay, not enough toilets/showers etc. when it’s busy (and it was) – very quiet after 10pm at night;  easy walking distance to the Chateau Amboise www.chateau-amboise.com and the Centre Ville - the Chateau is lovely about 6 euros to get in.

Happy Birthday Del!!!!!!!!

By the main entrance (you need a security number to get in and out of the site) there is a very nice bar/restaurant – we ate there several times and the food was very good and very reasonable.   

After visiting the Chateau we sat with a beer and watched the world go by.   There was a group of young lads playing/busking some French jazz - they were really good and everyone was enjoying listening to them, until the local gendarmarie came along and moved them :-(

Chateau Amboise

Day 10 –

Today we moved across to the east a little more.  First stop Chateau Chambord www.chambord.org phew! – this place is just A..mazing!   Once the home of Henry II and also several other aristocrats – the architecture was just beautiful, there are 365 chimneys – Del was happy because it was asymmetrical – there were four spiral staircases that led you to each floor and then out on to the ramparts.    It was definitely more of an ‘up-market’ Chateau as you had to pay for parking and it seemed to have its own mounted police force.   If you had trouble walking there were golf buggies for hire.

Chateau Chambord

One of the 4 spiral staircases

Once my legs were two inches shorter (through all the walking) we jumped back into Deedee and made the short journey up to Cheverny to a lovely campsite Camping Les Saules www.camping-cheverny.com .   Now this has to be glamping – covered swimming pool, restaurant, bar – really really nice and to top it all the people are so very friendly.  Shame it’s raining....

Day 11 –

And so it rained... we did get a brief sunny spell for the morning and decided to do some washing 4 euros a load and 3 euros to dry.  We stayed put all day, it just rained and rained and because we were in a forest even when it stopped it still rained off the trees and it was so cold – June was not a happy bunny...  Lots of very miserable campers and parents desperately trying to dry off wet bedding.   Thank goodness we had a box set of Only Fools and Horses!

Now one could say that watching the silvery rain fall through the beautiful silver birch trees and listening to the tinkling of rain on Deedee's roof was poetic, but to be honest it was bloomin well pouring and damn cold!!!!!!!

Day 12 –

Decided to get out of here and head back west towards Chenonceau – I’d been waiting to see this chateau more than all the Maltesers in the World!   Fabulous campsite, Le Moulin Fort at Chisseaux www.lemoulinfort.com, ran by a British couple, swimming pool, bar, restaurant.   We found a lovely spot where we could see the river and just sat and enjoyed the sunshine for the rest of the day.  In the evening the camp owners were holding a barbeque with live French jazz music, masses to eat for 11 euros each.  Fabulous evening, sitting in the late evening sunshine listening to the jazz watching the hot air balloons sailing past so low we could wave at the passengers!

Breakfast al fresco

Chateau Chenonceau

Day 13 –

Up and out early(ish) today – which later proved to be fortunate – we decided to go to Chateau Chenonceau, the chateau built across the river le Cher. But first, we had a continental breakfast in the sunshine – un pain, comfiture and French coffee. 

Anyway, I digress, for those of you who have legs that work it’s just 1.5 miles from the campsite, but mine don’t, so we drove.   There was a small queue to get a ticket and then you walk through the avenue of trees towards the chateau, where there was another small queue to get inside.   Breathtaking isn’t the word, my camera was working overtime – stunningly beautiful and so very very clever to think that they had the knowledge in the 16^th century to build foundations deep enough to take such a structure.  We had a lovely lunch in the restaurant – more queuing.   There is so much to see but no way could we get it all in just one day. 

When we got back to the car park it was wall to wall campervans, GB, Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg and surprisingly so a large contingent from Ireland who had made the long sea journey (about 17.5 hours). Everyone at the campsites has been very nice, but to be honest the nicest have been the British and the Irish who are always smiley and will pass the time of day.

- Oh yes, why were we fortunate to have arrived at the chateau early?  As I said we had to queue to get into the chateau itself, they stagger the amount of people going in at one time, now we queued for around 5 minutes, the queue when we left was at least 30-40 minutes long, so if you’re planning on visiting go early!

Del and I often sit and talk about our holiday and how we’re finding our first big trip in the camper, weighing up camper/caravan etc.   I think it really is swings and roundabouts, whatever is best for you and that particular time in life.   If you’ve got kids then yes, caravan (I’ve done both).  However, campers are easy once you know the ins and outs.   We’ve found that we’ve both fallen into a routine when getting ready to go out – Del does the outside, I do the inside, some jobs we need to do together – it works and we’ve now got it down to about 15 minutes for a trip out and just a little longer if we’re moving onto a different place.  The secret is to put things away as you go along and have a home for everything!  

Day 14 -

And so we were having a very nice time at this site, watching the comngs and goings of the river and the campsite, very relaxed and it was sunny for most of the day.  UNTIL - two cars turned up in our bit of the site and parked up next to us, we should have read the signs when car number 1's registration read **8USK and car number 2 read **8USK (I won't put the full reg in).  Within an hour saxophones, drums and a ukelele were belting out the first two lines of "when the saints go marching in...."  over and over and over again.  Several filthy looks to the adults with the kids and a worthless complaint to the management "oh they came here last year and they were really good" - yeah well they're not parked outside your bloody camper are they?????  Plans were put into action to move on - hey, that's what life in a camper is all about isn't it?  Stay awhile and move on....

We needed to buy a few provisions so stopped off at Super U - how's this for a bit of parking?

Off to Saumur we headed, via Chateau Villandry which had been recommended for its spectacular gardens.   Well definitely yet another OMG moment!    We didn't go into the Chateau (I couldn't walk round both) but the gardens were just beeeuuutiful!   

Chateau Villandry

Had a look in the Caravan Club recommended sites and found this one that seemed to suit - we were looking for a restaurant on site.  http://www.saumur-camping.com/ "Flower campsite ile d'offard" is really nice.   The site is made up of camping pitches, static homes and also these static homes that are raised off the ground but covered in tarpulin.  The san facs are very very good - unisex - but you get used to that.   High up on the hill the beautiful Chateau looks over the town and at night looks stunning all lit up.   There's a very good bar restaurant here and we had some lovely food and cocktails for a reasonable price - I had the pork kebabs (twice) - Pascual the manager tells me that it is marinated in Calvados for 24 hours, very nice too.  However, the roasted vegetables were really really good, we tried to get the recipe and it seems that they are mixed carrots, peppers, mushrooms in the main with fennel and pesto with garlic.

Day 15 - 

We lazed around today, Del did his jobs, I did the washing (5 euros here), went to the bar for lunch, talked, Del slept - just one of those days.   Reluctantly we had to make plans to move on tomorrow, but where?   We needed to be a lot closer to Calais to get our train on Friday - which way do we do it? 

Okay time to vote:

Best campsite - Del & June agreed. - Flowers @ Saumur (for the restaurant, facilities etc.) whereas for peace and quiet, solitude and excellent hosting - Kathy & Dave's at La Fosse de Tigne.

Best chateau - Del & June agreed - Chambord because of all the chimneys and spiral staircases and Chenonceau for sheer beauty, and Villandry for the spectacular gardens.

Best san facs - Both agreed - Flowers @ Saumur and Kathy & Dave's.

Best food - Both agreed - Restaurant/bar @ Amboise but special mention for the roasted vegetables at Flowers @ Saumur.

Best entertainment - Both agreed - Kathy & Dave's (no competition there!)


Day 16 -

Long long journey - goodness me that road from Le Mans to Rouen drags on and on.   We changed our mind several times about where we were heading for but ended up in Abbeville at http://www.chateaudestilleuls.com/.  To be honest we've not really explored it too much, it's very much a 'towny' campsite, we're only here one night and we'll be off in the morning - not quite sure how they got there 4.5 stars though?

Day 17 - 

We both slept well surprisingly but got woken up about 6.30 by the local farmer decided to shoot whatever farmers shoot.  We got up packed up the last few things and drove via Intermarche 'Super' for the last few things.   On arrival at the tunnel, there had been a train breakdown and the wait was about 1.5 hours - it was all efficiently handled, lots of information given and free water once on the train.  Even the M25 behaved itself, although it's a real shock to the system getting back to English roads!

So, here we are, back home in body anyway, but our heads are still in France. It has been an amazing holiday, so difficult to put into words.   France is a huge country and so very beautiful and the seeing it in Deedee is by far the best way to do so - I just don't think I could sit on a beach for 2 weeks anymore.

Thank you all, I hope you've enjoyed reading our story.

Day 5 -

What an idyllic day!   The weather was beautiful, blue skies, hot sunshine this really is a lovely place.   Kathy & Dave our hosts at the campsite invited us and Irene & Derek (fellow campers) for a barbeque.

This evening we walked along the country lanes to the village of La Fosse de Tigne.  The village comprises of just a school, mairie, church and cemetery.   Surrounded by fields of golden wheat with swallows, curlews, herons and at night owls and bats.   Tonight to finish off a lovely day we sat with a glass of wine whilst watching the most amazing sunset.

France 2015 continued

Day 3 -

Well that proved to be a rather good day!   On arrival at 'Kathy & Dave's' www.camping-kathydave.co.uk, we were welcomed by Ilene & Derek who were one of the other two campers here at this lovely orchard site.   Kathy & Dave had popped out but left full instructions, EHU etc. - choose where you'd like to go we were told - lovely jubbly!

Kathy & Dave soon arrived back and invited all of us to a wine-tasting in the village - we did not need any time to think about it.... BUT before the 'official' wine tasting we went wine tasting with everyone else in their own private bar - a lovely way to meet and greet and gel with other campers.

Now 'wine tasting' UK style is a thimble full in the bottom of the glass - 'wine tasting' en France at Domaine de la Petite Ville is more like 'drink-as-much-as-you-can tasting' . Seven glasses of superb wine and two Champagnes were sampled.  Alain the Vintner, who looked like a very young Poirot was the perfect host and just kept filling them up!   Now I'm a little fussy about my wine but all were superb and very reasonable at 2.90-5.35 euros a bottle.   Of course, after all the effort it would be rude not to buy some.....

Day 4 - 

Thick cloud today but still warm enough for t-shirts.   As it's Saturday we thought we'd better stock up for the weekend and do a little bit of site-seeing at the same time.  Now when you plan to go off site a little planning has to be done - you can't just 'jump in' and go - of course, we were well aware of this when we started our travels.   We both know just what needs to be done and we've got it down to about 15 minutes.   It's also best to do as many things in one go rather than back and forth -  so today it was a trip to the Village Troglodytique at Rochemenier www.troglodyte.fr.   We were both under the impression that Troglodyte's were little people that lived in caves, but you'll see by the size of these clogs that they were far from little.   They were simply a village of people who lived in caves - a sort of commune.   Everything there was manmade and it was quite interesting to see how they lived right up until the 19th century.

France August 2015

Day 1 - And so the holiday begins – at last it seems like we’ve been planning and making lists for what seems like years!

Up and atom (those of a certain age will know what I mean by that phrase) – for those of you who don’t then “up and get-going” I think is the more up-to-date language.  Anyway, I digress we were up and out of the house by 4.45am - for weeks now worried about the illegal immigrants problems in France, the subsequent Operation Stack and the French farmer’s dispute about something or other.  As it happens we sailed through and arrived at Folkestone with enough time to grab a bacon buttie and have a quick wee.

-       - Now one of the good things about travelling with your home is that I laid down on the bed and slept through the whole train journey.

Our next ‘worry’ was that of Rouen.  We’ve travelled to France for the past two years and the passage through Rouen has been troublesome to say the least – the first time 2.5 hours, the second time 1 hour but today we were through quicker than you could say “quelle surprise!”

By 3.30pm we had arrived at Camping Municipale du Joy Valliere.  www.campingduvaljoyeux.fr   A very small site, charged us just 22 euros for two nights with EHU (electric hook up).  We were allocated pitch 29 but as it was well over 80F and this pitch was in full sun we decided to move, only to be told that we couldn’t pitch there as that was for tents only.... pitch 50 it was then, in the shade by a babbling brook, visits by ducks, more hens, yellow wagtails and surrounded by purple hibiscus and buddlea.  It was ideal.

Our babbling brook

Hibiscus

Buddlea

Gasping for a beer we decided to have a walk across to the ‘beach’.   As they do in The Dordogne, they do here in The Loire, they build man-made beaches.  Packed with the locals, great for the kids with a marked off area of shallow water, a raft to swim out too or for those in the mood pedaloes – but no beer!   Having asked one of the locals for a bar we were (sort of) informed “centre ville – 10 minutes” – what he didn’t point out was which way... so why did we pick the wrong way which was up hill?  We gave up, it was just too hot, returned to WALT and had a vodka and orange instead.

*****WALT?  You say – who is WALT?   Well WALT is the new name for the camper – it stands for Waited A Long Time!  *****

Had a wonderful evening sitting outside in the warm evening, dinner, drinks and bed.  The next thing we knew it was 9am!

Day 2 -

Shopping today and then nothing!   There’s been much coming and goings in the site today.   Along with the pitches for caravans, campers and tents they have these little chalets that you can hire.  For those of you who are reading thinking it is a possible site to visit on your travels, it’s well recommended and excellent ‘san facs’ as they like to say (sanitary facilities – toilet block).  

Tomorrow we’re on the road again to La Fosse Tigne.

Our own little battle in Battle

Have you ever gone somewhere and shortly after arriving thought "mmm... shall we go back home and start all over again?".   Seriously, you just have to laugh at the events of this weekend.   It all started with me getting a new phone, my old one had "THE LIST" - the list that kept us feeling safe and secure that we would be on our travels with everything we felt we needed.   However, when I got a new phone "THE LIST" didn't transfer over and because of this we forgot milk, shampoo, toilet rolls, shaving stuff and dinner for Saturday night!   All of this was either replaced, modified (washing my hair in Dove Body Wash) or just done without.   But of course, our tale of "oh dear me's" doesn't end there - we should have suspected it was going to be 'one of those weekends' or as we like to put it "an adventure" when the fridge wasn't cold despite being plugged into the mains for 3 days and the SatNav took us down this lane and we ended up causing mayhem with on-coming cars having to reverse - we were NOT popular.   Then on arrival at the campsite we found no TV hook-up, no wifi and very little choice of pitch left -the first option happened to be next to the main road with cars whizzing past - er no...  so we found another pitch and staked claim just as two other families were about to do so.   As it happened, it was a nice pitch and the couple in the caravan next door (there was just the two pitches) were from Crawley and worked at the Hospital!   It was all hard-standing so no point in putting up the awning, so we just pulled out the awning, it's surprising the need to claim your territory!

Saturday morning was a bit cloudy but it was warm and we walked into Catsfield (1.5 miles) - nice walk through the Normanhurst Estate.  

Catsfield has a pub, a grocers and a sausage shop.   Del needed sedation to recover from going into a pub on a Saturday lunch time and drinking coffee........

However, normal service was soon resumed....

Just look at his face!!!!!

Whilst Del watched some DVD's I was more than happy with some alfresco crafting. but of course, with the way our luck was going, when it came to watch a movie with our dinner the damn DVD packed up!  AND AND AND what's more my lappy - Windows 8 - doesn't play DVDs!!!!!!!!

Despite all the minor mishaps it was a lovely relaxing weekend - I'm so proud with myself for walking 3 miles and I didn't ache afterwards.   The campsite http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk-caravan-sites-and-parks/SiteDetails.aspx?csid=21948  was very pretty and immaculately kept - couldn't fault it in anyway except the TV and wifi situation - personally we can survive without one or the other but not both!   The new 'THE LIST' is under construction and will include things such as remembering to lock the door and put in the handle before setting off Del....   boy that cyclist was lucky to have his head left on.....

Scotland - The Trossachs - May 2015

Up at the crack of dawn – or before actually as we left the house at 4am for our road trip/first adventure to Scotland.   The roads were lovely and clear – even the M25 was a breeze!   Once morning had arrived we had sunshine all the way except North Wales/Manchester where we had some light rain – is it ever any different there?

We stopped a few times en route for coffee and stretch of the legs, the last stop being just across the border.   Harry Ramsden’s fish and chips which happened to be shared with a coach full of Marine Commandos....    so embarrassing though as I went to kick a chair out of my way, lost my balance and nearly ended up on one poor guy’s lap!  (I can hear my mother saying “only you”).

Blair Drummond Caravan Park

Blair Drummond camp site is lovely.  We were in the walled garden, very quiet, despite there being lots of other people here.   Lovely friendly welcome, TV connection with box hired from the office.   Despite the long drive it had been a really lovely day... “let’s put the awning up”......“now”... “right”... “okay, we’ve watched the video”.... preparation – it’s all in the preparation!!!!   Out it all came – no breeze or wind.... we have a plan!    Mmm... the plan didn’t mention get the awning the right way round.  Deep breath and much laughter – we’ll give it one more try.   Hurrah!  It worked we got it up – no shouting, arguments, stamping of the feet – it’s up and we managed to sit inside in the sunshine and have a glass of vino.   It’s still going to be sold though!  http://www.blairdrummondcaravanpark.co.uk/

Monday - Day2

It was a day of Oh my Goodness and that is A..mazing!   Today we went to Loch Ard and Loch Venachar.   We went on the B road which actually wasn’t too bad and worth every mile for the fantastic views.   The gorse is in full bloom and in the sunshine was the brightest yellow I’ve ever seen (yes it was yellow and I didn’t break out in a sweat).   Cows, sheep every way you looked – lots of little lambs and some highland cattle calves (so sweet).

Loch Ard is beautiful, very still and in the shady bits looked quite ominous, but in the sun oh wow – glorious.   We stopped several times for photo opportunities and noticed there were a few places for wild camping.  We crossed over Duke’s Pass – beware of the coaches should you ever go this way.  

Loch Venachar, just has to be the best; we passed the restaurant and went into Aberfoyle for a walk around the shops.  Really not a lot there, very touristy but great butchers where they make THE best pies ever.   The Scottish Wool shop was a big disappointment, most of the goods I could buy at home. The entertainment going on outside was interesting there was a falconry show and some sheep dog trials.  Parking was free and there’s a big car park to the left of the Scottish Wool Shop.

From here we went to eat at Venchar Lochside the cafe/restaurant right on the side of the Loch and owned by Del's nephew Andrew and his wife Carolyn.   It was lovely to see Andrew again and he was able to get away for a quick chat despite it being a VERY busy day for him.   The views from the restaurant over the loch are stunning and if you only want coffee and cake (try the lime and pistachio sponge – all made by Andrew) you can sit out on the decking.  The menu is extensive, all freshly cooked and ranges from coffee and cake, through to a 3-course meal.  We settled for pork belly on a bed of mash with leeks and black pudding with brambly apple sauce – my only complaint was that I couldn’t lick the bowl! http://www.venachar-lochside.co.uk/ 

Pork Belly at Venachar Lochside

Day 3 - Tuesday brought some beautiful sunshine and a trip to the local safari park with Andrew and the scrumptious Sadie.   There really was some amazing animals to see there – elephants, camels, lions, tigers, sea lions, meerkats, monkeys – a lot of the animals have been rescued and are therefore in a far happier, safer environment than they had been previously.  The sun shone all day, Del got a very red face and we had an amazing time with Sadie who was a delight to be with.

Andrew & Sadie

This evening we met with Carolyn (Andrew’s wife) and she showed us Dunblane where Andy Murray got married.  It’s a lovely place, beautiful cathedral and all nooks and crannies, uppdie-downadie.   Had a lovely meal at The Riverside and didn’t realise it was 22.15 because it was still light outside.

Andy Murray's Olympic Golden Post Box in Dunblane

Day 4 - Wednesday - This morning we were up and out early as we’d seen the weather was about to turn – we drove to Loch Katarine for a lovely sail on the Lady of the Lake. http://www.lochkatrine.com/about/lady-of-the-lake/  The sky was grey and there was thick cloud but there was very little wind and it was rather nice, except and I repeat except the really bloody noisy coach load of people that who were obviously ‘on tour’ and showed absolutely no interest in the boat or what the captain was telling us!   They talked louder and louder to each other, walking up and down, and when they started singing Happy Birthday to one of their group Del and I got up and went up on deck!    Grrr....  Anyway!  Up on deck it was far more sedate, it wasn’t that cold and the 360 degrees view was just fabulous.  We thoroughly recommend this trip – but choose your fellow shipmates!  

On board the Lady of the Lake - Loch Katarine

We’d promised Andrew to pop-in at Venachar Lochside for lunch and to say goodbye.   We’d been looking forward to Venachar’s famous Cullen Skink but upon arrival we were told that Andrew had chosen our lunch – two steaming bowls of Cullen Skink, a platter of fish in batter and a bowl of mussels in a white wine sauce.   Seriously?  But we did eat it – all!   Absolutely amazing.

By the time we’d sat down the weather had turned and the rain was coming down horizontally over the Loch.  We decided to head back to the campsite and rest up for the rest of the day - we needed to after all that food, but we went home with a doggy bag of homemade Bakewell slice and chocolate and raspberry granache; we’ve had a fantastic holiday, neither of us wants to go home.  Scotland you've won us over with your fantastic scenery, very friendly people and some amazing food - in the words of Arnie "we'll be back!"

p.s. oh yes... update on the awning... she's staying because we've worked it all out!!!!!!!