France, Jaulgonne, 2019

For our second trip to France this year, we are staying further north that usual in Jaulgonne a small village in the Champagne region. No pool on this visit but we are next to the river Marne. Our apartments are just behind three other apartments that are facing the river but ours is bigger inside and we needed the room. As for this visit we have Fran with us, as well as the usual four of us.

Sat 17th August to Sat 24th August

Day One, Saturday 17th August

As usual lately, we had to take diversions over night along the A1 and after we picked Amber up it was the same down at the M20. Anyway our train through the tunnel was on time and as last time we had our breakfast as we traveled under the chanel.

The route through france was A26 all the way to Reims on to the A4 to the D980 then D3, D1003, D330 and across a bridge to the apartment. It took longer than I thought it would it was about 315 km or 196 miles but we still arrived far too early.



We had a quick look at the place then drove off to a supermarket (ALDI) in Dormans and collected a few things we would need for the first few days. While we were in there it started raining, so we looked for somewhere to go while we waited for the rooms. We called into a pub Le Champenois in Dormans, and had a beer each (amber didn't) while we waited for the accommodation.

On arrival at the accommodation we were shown around by the cartacker then soon got unpacked and set the TV up and I made food for us all.

Day Two, Sunday 18th August

Today was the rest day, we did practically nothing and it did rain on and off most of the day. Saying that it did clear up on the afternoon and we did do some sunbathing.

I did cross over the path and took some photos of the barges going up and down the river.

We did get the TV working so that we could watch films from online places and we had an indoor BBQ for our tea.

Day Three, Monday 19th August

Our wedding anniversary, 47 years today.

But first we went out to have a look around the area. We headed for Provins and parked up in the town center, then after a look around walked slowly, up to the Saint-Quiriace collegiate church.

I went for a look around the church while the other two sat outside doing nothing, yes there were just the two of them, Amber and Fran just stayed back at the room.

 

From there we wandered round to the old fort, César tower, had a quick look around and then wandered back into town. Back in the center we got sandwiches and other stuff from a supermarket, then went back to the car.

 

We drove up to the car park we should have been in and had our lunch in the car. After that we drove around the walls of the old town (not sure if we were aloud on the road we used but we did). Halfway round the walls on the corner tower was a man doing a bird of prey display, something we had seen on our last trip to France but in Chateau d'harcourt, Chauvigny. We watched the display for a bit and then headed back towards the house.

 

Back at the house Dot and I opened a bottle of Champagne for our anniversary, and wandered down to the river to drink it.

 

Day Four, Tuesday 20th August

Another day when we did nothing, except sitting in the sun, we did get shopping in but other that that nothing.

I did have plenty of new beers though.

Day Five, Wednesday 21st August

Today was a visit to the World War I Chateau-Thierry American Monument, in Chateau-Thierry and Amber was with this time. Even though you can see the monument from miles around, it was quite a long drive to find the entrance. Once there, we parked up and went for a look around.

 

After a good look around, including the in World War One museum there, we set of back to the car. It was now Ralph mentioned he could see McDonalds from up there and showed Amber, so guess where we went next. After our McDonalds was down, we drove into Chateau-Thierry center for a look around and a walk along the river.

 

We then drove back to the rooms to sit in the sun and maybe have a drink or two before I made the supper for us.

Day Six, Thursday 22nd August

Todays drive out included all of us, first we drove to Épernay, the only place we have camped without taking a photo. So we went there just to find and look at the campsite. Well it was not what I remembered and it was a very long walk into town, not something I would like to do now.

From there we drove on to Mareuil-sur-Ay, where we decided to have a walk along the canal Lateral a La Marne. There were quite a few barges and boats moored up there and also a couple of Motorhome Airs by the canal as well.

 

We walked along to a bridge over the canal, I took photos and then we walked back to the car but didn't just set off back, we went in a cafe for a drink. We got beers and sat outside Le Bistrot in the sun for our drinks. Then we called into the supermarket there for a couple of things we needed before heading back to the rooms.

On the way back we passed through Dormans were I took a photo of the suspension bridge there, I had been meaning to get one all week.

Back at the rooms we had a very relaxing time and a few beers.

Day Seven, Friday 23rd August

Today we had a nice quiet relaxing day sat in the garden in the sun. Although Me, Dot and Amber did have a walk along the river but not far.

 

We did get some of our clothes ready for the trip home tomorrow but other than that we had a good drink and some good food, we did have to finish off what was in the fridge.

Day Eight, Saturday 24th August

Up early and got the car loaded up ready for the trip home and were soon ready to set off.

We arrived at the tunnel early but got straight on to a train, even though on the other side we still had as far to go. We also had to drop Amber off near the M25 but then it was stait home.

France, Châtellerault, 2019

Our first trip to France for this year. We are going somewhere new and it's a bit further south than the last few years. We have a room in a Chateaux or a least an apartment in, Les Logis de La Rimbertière. It is very close to Châtellerault just off the A10 about 70 km south of Tours. Although the place is out of the way, it's not too far and it had a pool, although after we booked I noticed the the pool did not open until the day we left but after contacting them, the pool was open.

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.