Thu 23rd May to Sat 01st of June
Day One, Thursday 23rd May
As usual we left for France just after midnight, picked Ralph up first, then went for Amber and as last year part of the A1 was closed and we had to detour again. We filled up with fuel in Peterborough so we didn't have to stop on the way down. At the tunnel we got there just in time and went straight onto the train. We had our breakfast under the channel and got straight on our way in France.
The route through france was A16, A28, A10, a few little bits around towns but that was it, about 580 km or 370 miles. We did stop a few times for toilets etc and still arrived before three.
Sylvie, the owner met us and showed us around the rooms and gave us all the info we would need. We were all very tired but when we got settled in the others did go around the pool for a while. I did something for tea, we had brought stuff with us for the first day, the shops could wait until tomorrow. We did have beer and wine with us already and a film to watch that night.
Day Two, Friday 24th May
A nice day to relax and enjoy being on holiday, we did go to the shops, not too far away, and stocked up for the week.
We spent the rest of the day around the pool or sat reading, just doing nothing.
It would have to be another day before we went out.
Day Three/Four, Saturday/Sunday 25th/26th May
Two more rest days, we did go to the shops for bread and beer, we did eat well and on the night watched films but that is all we did. I do think that on one of those days we did pop into McDonalds for lunch but that is what Amber wanted. On one of the days we went for a drive, but did not get too far and were soon back at the room, after shopping.
Day Five, Monday 27th May
Today we went for a drive, we were getting out instead of just sitting in the sun.
We drove towards Chauvigny following the river Vienne and called into Bonneuil-Matours to take photos of the suspension bridge there. I even took a photo of a model of the Eiffel Tower on the roof of an outdoor part of a closed down restaurant.
We then drove on to Chauvigny, and parked up by the river and went for a walk. As usual I took photos of the bridges there before we drove on towards Poitiers.
Our trip to Poitiers didn't work at all, we got in their traffic and well, got lost. So we did stop for a couple of photos but gave up with our visit there and moved on.
The next place we stopped was Dissay, were we found the Château de Dissay but there was work going on outside, the roads being repaired. We did have a walk around the outside of the chateau and it looks very good.
When we got back the Gite, Dot and Amber made straight for the pool, while I had a beer and got the food ready. As usual we had a film to watch that night.
Day Six, Tuesday 28th May
Today we set off to see a Château north at Les Ormes but when we got there the Château des Ormes was not open. Also as the last Château we visited yesterday, there was work going on outside in the town square. We had a walk around the town though before moving on but eventually turned back to Châtellerault.
We did not turn though, before I found some more bridges at Port-de-Piles, then we turned round and headed back.
Back in Châtellerault, we parked up by the river next to Ile Cognet, and wandered up to Pont Henri IV, then on along that side towards the motor museum.
Unfortunately the museum was closed but we had a nice walk to get there. I got photos of the bridges across the River Vienne as we walked along.
We crossed over the river and walked back along the other side but it did start to rain, so we had to rush to get back to the car. But I did get a few more photos first and got a bit wet.
By the time we got back to the rooms, the sun was shining again so it was the pool before our food and as usual a film before bed.
About two that night my heart went into defib, very worrying but what can you do? I just had to put up with it and hope it went back to normal soon but I didn't get much sleep.
Day Seven, Wednesday 29th May
As tomorrow was a Bank Holiday in France (Ascension Day), we had planned to visit Futuroscope theme park today but as I was not too well Dot wanted to leave it for another day. Anyway my heart went back to normal as we were getting ready, so that was sorted and we set off. Unusually I did not take many photos at all, do not know if it was the defib made me tired but there you go.
It was less than 30 km to the theme park and it was about 172 euros to get in, quite expensive I think. We went on just about all of the attractions, I did get ratty though when we could not decide were or what to eat. In the end Ralph just got me some crisps and a drink and I was right again.
The attractions and shows went on until ten thirty but we left by six, we had had it and left for home and food.
Day Eight, Thursday 30th May
I was ok last night and we left for another drive before dinner. It was the Bank Holiday and we did not expect anywhere to be open but we went out anyway.
We drove towards Vicq-sur-Gartempe but stopped in Pleumartin as we passed through, me and Dot had a walk and took photos of the towns market place and church.
From there we found a bridge but could not get a good photo but knowing me, I did try and got something.
We then drove on to Vicq-sur-Gartempe and had a walk up to the castle and found the museum of cave drawings but didn't go in.
Next we walked down to the bridge and passed houses that we would like to buy, if only we had the money.
Down at the bridge I took a panoramic photo, it's such a nice place.
From there we moved on again, this time to Chauvigny but as we passed through Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé, I saw a bridge and also found a waterwheel. So I got out of the car and took photos while the other just sat and waited.
We had been to Chauvigny a couple of days ago but to the other side of the castle and I thought it was a different place. We parked up and had a walk around the lake taking photos of the castle, we could see a birds of prey display going on but we were on the wrong side of the castle.
In Chauvigny there is a place where you can go on a self propelled rail car (not a big thing) and travel along the old railway line but when we got there, it was two hours until the next one. So we left it, if we had been before we could have booked it on a different day.
After that we headed back to the room for the pool again and the usual food and films but not before we stopped at a shop to get some bread. It was the Bank Holiday and all the shops we had passed were closed, so this was a find. Although as we passed ALDI near our place it was open, so we got another baggett.
Day Nine, Friday 31st May
Last day before our trip back home and it was the hottest, sunniest day we had had. So we spent the day taking advantage of it, in the pool or on the veranda.
Day Ten, Saturday 1st June
Well it was time to head off home. Cleaned the apartment and got our deposit back then headed of to get our ferry, well train through the tunnel. It was a very long drive but it was all by motorway. We didn't have food for the trip back, we just stopped of at service areas to get sandwiches.
It was very late by the time we got back to ours but it was time to plan our next trip in August.
