Well here we are in France I didn't think we would make it but we have, we have booked with Siblu again and we are down in the Loire valley. Me, Dot, young Ralph, Georgia, Emily and Amber all going and taking the motorhome for that many, it saved taking two cars. Although we were staying in a Mobile Home on site.
Friday 28th August to Saterday the 29th
We set off in Friday night to miss all of the traffic and pay less on the ferry (about half as much), Ralph drove in England and I took over in France. We stopped off on the way down to pick Amber up and arrived in Dover earlier than intended but luckily we got on an early ferry. The rout down was easy, A19 to A1 to A14 to M11 to M25 to M20 to A20 into Dover and the Ferry.
Reading my older write ups, the one from 2008, I said, that the ferry was quite nice although most of the toilets where out of order. Well the ferries now looks quite old and the toilets that were working were horrible, I think the tunnel is having some effect on the ferries.
Off the ferry if France, Ralph drove on for a while but eventually I took over and we arrived in Onzain a couple of hours before we could get into our Mobile Home.
The drive through France (avoiding Paris) was A16 to A28 at Rouen we took the A13 we turned off onto the A154/D1654 to the A10. Then it was local roads to the site.
Even though we were early they let us use the pool, but we had to wait for the van, so all of the girls went into the pool and me and Ralph went for a beer outside the bar. Dot came and joined us for a second beer before it was time to get into the Mobile Home, when we did get in and unloaded, I went for a nap as I was very tired indeed.
When I woke there was only an hour left before the sun went down (I thought the girls were back over the pool but they were already in bed) and we just spent the rest of the night sat out on the veranda. We had what was left of the sandwiches from the way down and another couple of beers before going back to bed.
Sunday 30th August
I woke during the night with my heart out of rhythm, I was very worried about it but said nothing and not long after I got up later that morning, it went back to normal while I was in the shower.
When the others went over to the pool I stayed at the van for a rest and I was not too sure about my heart for a while.
That night we had a BBQ and a few more drinks (I really had to watch what I was drinking for now though), and wandered over to watch the entertainment crew do a cabaret. It was ok I suppose, we had a drink from the bar (do you know for the price of two draught Leffe you can get a box of twenty four from the supermarket, we will have to go tomorrow) before heading back to the mobile.
Back there we had another beer before turning in for the night.
Monday 31st August
Well I suppose the first thing we did was me and Ralph headed down to Lidl, now we have used Lidl for years at home and abroad but this one was very run down. We have used it a few times before but this time it seemed to be really poor for selection, especially for burgers and beer, so we also had to visit the Casino Supermarche, to get everything we needed, plus a few more we didn't need. In fact we spent too much, more that we had with us and had to put things back, we actually spent (on the whole shop) €99.98 about £76, not bad for a top up.
By the time we got back it was after lunch and the others had already had theirs. We had something quick and as it was still really sunny and hot, we all headed to the pool rather then go out somewhere.
We spent the test of the day there, before we went back to the van for something to eat. Later after tea, the heavens opened and it chucked it down, luckily we did not need to go anywhere.
After that we all watched a cartoon film before bed.
Tuesday 1st September
There were some clouds today, so I got every one to get ready and we went out for a drive in the van. We headed for Amboise but called at the Casino Supermarche for diesel first. Only there didn't seem to be anyone serving, so we just drove on, it wasn't that urgent.
WE had been to Amboise before but the twins hadn't, we parked on the island (we noticed a sign that said no Motorhomes when we returned) and wandered over into town.
Not many people in the whole world know that Amboise is the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, he died here on May/2/1519, so only a few years to the 500th anniversary. Below is a photo taken on our last visit here in 2011, of Leonardo on the island in the river, we could not get near it this visit as loads of other tourists were there.
What we did in town was basically what we did last two times we were there, we walked round the outside of Château d'Amboise, looked into some of the shops and ended up back by the river. There we got sandwiches and drinks from the Carrefour and sat by the river to eat them. It is difficult to feed Amber as she will not eat most things but she did eat something. We did have a selection of sandwiches tough.
We then drove back to Onzain but along the other side of the river, we did however stop in Chaumont-sur-Loire just near the bridge back, for a walk around.
Back on site and after tea, we wandered over to see what the reps singing cabaret was like.
The reps singing cabaret was inside tonight as it was much cooler. It was ok and luckily it was only on for about an hour, nine to ten, we did however have a chat to some of the reps afterwards, before heading back to the mobile.
Wednesday 2nd September
It was nice and warm again today so we just stayed on site and went to the pool.
Thursday 3rd September
We went out for a drive to have a look at Onzain market but it was smaller then the last time we were here, so we just had a walk around the town and popped into the supermarket.
Back on site as usual we went over to the pool, for the rest of the day. Later we had pizza of tea, that made a change and watched a film again.
Friday 4th September
Today we went for another drive, this time to Blois, we got parked up by the river and went for a walk. Me and the girls wandered down to the river and I took some photos down there, before we hit the shops.
The girls had a look in a couple of shops and we had a good look around but we didn't stay that long. When we left crossed over the bridge and drove back to the site along the other side if the river.
Back at the site the girls went off to hire peddle go-carts and had a ride around the place. Then it was back into the pool again and it was nice and warm again.
We had our usual tea and watched one last film together before bed, we had to be up early to get off for home tomorrow.
Saturday 5th September
Up at eight, then spent two hours packing the van and getting ready to leave at ten.
When we set off the other two wanted to go back a different way to the way we came, witch was much longer a route but as the sat nav wasn't working and we were using Ralph's phone, I just gave in. My rout was 315 miles, the new rout was 350 miles and I don't think it made any difference, although it was nearly all motorway and cost a lot more in tolls.
So that meant heading the wrong way toward Tours and taking the A28 passed Le Mans up to Rouen, then the same way we came.
We arrived at the port early again and again got on an earlier ferry back home.
We got the wrong road leaving Dover but I think it was quicker anyway and I will use it again next time. It was half nine when we dropped Amber off at home and well after midnight by the time the rest of us got home.
No more driving that far until next year and even then maybe not quite that far, well not in one go anyway.
Glad to see you got away.
ReplyDeleteThanks, we didn't do much but we did get away.
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