Day 10 – Moving on up!

Before I start to tell you about today.  I thought I’d fill you in on last night.  The campsite had live music in the bar so we thought we’d go along.  Obviously it was all in French and we didn’t know any of the songs.  Now, ‘Sacha Distel’ and his band of equally-depressing-minstrels droned through one lament after another, but they had the French audience going so they must have been okay.  Then towards the end they went ‘acoustic’ and sang what we think was a tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist atrocities.  All the French people gathered at the front and sang very softly – it was very moving and brought a tear to my(our) eyes.   But then again they could have been singing “Old Shep” for all we knew!

And so today, we packed up and headed North-West to a place called Monpazier.  Trusty Satnav was duly tuned to the address that was given on the campsite.  The journey was part motorway (at 50mph due to 5^th gear problem) and then across country on D roads.   We were very surprised at how the countryside had changed, autumn is clearly on its way as the trees are beginning to turn golden yellow, fields are being harvested and made ready for winter crops and the poor sad sunflowers have bowed their heads for the last time this year. 

The road from Cahors to Monpazier is very up and down and winding.  We finally got to Monpazier and trusty satnav told us the campsite was 6k outside the village, “follow trusty....” we said.   Up, up, around, along, up again mmm.... very nice to meet the French family enjoying their afternoon in the swimming pool of their garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was hilarious; they all just stood there mouths open, dripping wet, completely dumbfounded at the ‘stupide anglais’.   Thankfully Google found the campsite and led us to the correct destination.  We are now parked up on Sunset Strip (pitch 77) at www.moulindedavid.com (for those of you in the know I keep expecting a certain Headteacher David to pop round the corner).  Tomorrow we venture into Monpazier.

Day 11 – Rain?

Well we woke to rain this morning but in the true British tradition we were not going to be beaten!    (I mean after May’s torrential downpour nothing was going to faze us)  It wasn’t long before the sun broke through and although not quite as warm as we’d had in the past few days it was still very pleasant. We made the short journey into Monpazier; oh wow what a beautiful town it is too.  Full of little alleyways and houses decked with the most beautiful flowers, lots of little shops around the main square selling their crafts.  The main square was set out for a soiree that evening and the church was decorated with flowers for a wedding service later that day.  Of course, we had to have a coffee and also a piece of quiche for lunch – Del said “sorry Sylv (my Mum) this is even better than yours” – Mum is renowned for her quiche so this is some compliment.

This evening we had booked a table at La Table du Moulin, the restaurant on site – also listed as the best restaurant in Monpazier.   Personally I think it has to be one of the best in France!   The meal started with a ‘taster’ from the Chef – crab tart and a sauce (not sure what it was but it was yummy), gazpacho which was in a glass and we drank through a straw, then I chose beef and Del had Sea Bream – every mouthful was a ‘sensation’; dessert of crepe for me and fromage (cheese) for Del – just just wonderful.

Once again we were very sorry to leave Moulin de David as it is such a lovely place, quiet, spotlessly clean, pretty and very very friendly.  They’ll be getting 5-stars from me on Trip Advisor.

Day 12 – Moving on again to La Fosse de Tigne – mind the doors please...

Our friends (fellow motorhomers) Irene & Derek had encouraged us to take the normal roads rather than the motorways – “you’ll go through lovely villages and beautiful countryside”, so because of the 5^th gear problem and being very restricted on our speed we decided to travel to La Fosse de Tigne by A and D roads – we weren’t disappointed and really enjoyed the lovely countryside and remarked on how the landscape seemed to be constantly changing as we moved up through the different regions of France.   The journey took us about 6 hours – Del would like me to tell you at one point we actually overtook someone (he was cruising along at about 20mph and had thick black smoke pouring out of the back but we did overtake!) 

We stopped for coffee and croissant and then a further stop for lunch.  Now since we have had DeeDee the driver’s door has had a tendency to not shut properly, shortly after leaving the lay-by where we’d stopped for lunch Del noticed the door wasn’t shut tight. Now in the past he has frightened the life out of me by just slamming it shut without any warning, this time he warned me but the door suddenly got caught by a gust of wind and swung wide open (fortunately it is on the nearside as we’re on the wrong side of the road here).  I’m not sure how he managed it, but Del was able to control the camper enough to slow it down, I quickly pushed the hazard lights and Del could then slam the door shut – good job we weren’t on the motorway!

We had the usual warm welcome from Kathy & Dave www.camping-kathydave.co.uk and before we’d even parked the camper were invited for a drink!   I’m now sitting here 20:46, outside the camper in a sleeveless t-shirt and all I can hear are birds singing.   Here I shall remain until I see the sunset because there’s nothing like it here in La Fosse de Tigne.

Day 13 - Chinese in France

Kathy & Dave are just the nicest people you could meet, nothing is too much and there’s always a warm welcome, a glass (or two) of wine and an invite to share food/go out for a meal.  Today we were invited to a Chinese restaurant near Saumur – all you can eat for 11euros.  There’s a lovely couple also staying here – Bob & Tracey from Lowestoft.  Bob offered to take us in his car to save us packing away.   So in convoy we left, picking up a French couple (friends ofK&D) for the short journey to the restaurant.  Yummy food, so much to choose from and we all ate until we couldn’t move anymore.

Once back at the campsite, Kathy said that she’d arranged wine-tasting with Allan the local vintner; so at 6pm off we all go into the village.   There’s never any pressure to buy, just enjoy the 12 glasses of wine we were given.   Of course, we bought some – because it is very nice.  A happy crew returned to K&D’s patio where more wine and nibbles were consumed and we sat chatting for a long time, watching the sun set across the fields.