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.

France, Dives Sur Mer, 2018

As with the last trip to France, this is also practically another return trip, as we have been to Houlgate which is just around the corner, many times. So again Me, Dot, Ralph and Amber are off to France for another weeks holliday, second one this year.

There was a change for this trip, we were going with Airbnb and staying in an apartment and all for about the same price as using campsites. The cost of the whole holliday was about the same as the one earlier in the year and again we were using the tunnel to get to France.

Sat 18th Aug to Sat 25th of Aug

Day One, Saturday 18th August

As with the last few trips to France we were going overnight, so we actually set off at about one in the morning. Off to pick up Ralph first, then off to get Amber, then onto the tunnel and onto the train before eight.

In France all was going well (except for missing a change of motorway and having to double back), until we got to the two crossings over the river Seine. Going our way the road was blocked with traffic hardly moving, we made the decision to turn off and head for the other crossing further up river. It didn't take long at all and it was very quiet that way and I had been wanting to see the Pont de Tancarville for some time.

We were still early, so we drove along the coast from Deauville towards Houlgate but we still arrived in Port Guillaume too soon. We Rang the owners from Airbnb but as they were away, we got a French woman that spoke no English at all and decided we would just wait until we were due. We drove off to the supermarket and got some food and things (beer) for the first couple of days, then went for a drink on the marina, until the time was right.

At four o'clock we got in to our apartment (see above), we parked below and went up in the lift with all our gear and it was very nice. We got settled in, blew up the new air bed we had for Ralph and then had a couple of beers on the balcony. We had fantastic views from the room looking over the marina one way and out to sea the other way.

 

Pretty soon it was seven, and I started a BBQ for tea, not bad with the views we had, then when it started to get dark, we went in and watched a film on Ralph's big iPad.

Day Two, Sunday 19th August

Today was our forty sixth wedding anniversary.

It was early afternoon when we set off for a walk to Cabourg, we left by the other side of the apartments along the river La Dives to the footbridge, then over to the sea front.

 

After a long walk along the seafront, we wandered into town, had a beer then walked a bit further and had another one, it was our anniversary. In town it was very busy but it was a Sunday and I think everyone was out for a walk in the sun.

 

We took our time wandering back towards the apartment and stopped on the footbridge to watch the jet skiers coming in. There was even a girl using jet boots, or at least learning how to do it.

 

From there we eventually wandered off to the bars close to our place, were we eventually went for a pizza and a beer.

Then it was back to the apartment and watched another film.

Day Three, Munday 20th August

Today it was off for a drive to see Pegasus Bridge, Me and Dot have been many times before but Ralph and Amber have not. We parked up near the museum and wandered over to the bridge, we had a good look around the place then moved on.

 

The next place we stopped was, Luc-sur-Mer were we had a walk along the beach and along the pier. We then moved on to Saint Aubin sur Mer, were we had another walk.

 

From there we drove back towards Port Guillaume but stopped at a little bar Le Gallia, just next to the railway line. We all had a beer (Amber had a cola) in there and watched the trains go by.

From there we drove back to the apartment and I did us all food, before watching another film that night.

Day Four, Tuesday 21st August

Today we had a walk into Houlgate, the lock gates were closed, so it was shorter for us to walk. We walked along the side of the railway next to the river, so we were also walking by the river all the way into Houlgate. As we were walking along, a train came by and it was very close.

In Houlgate wa had a good walk around and then settled outside a bar restaurant, the waiter came out and said the seats were for people eating only. We moved on and I am sure this happened once before at the same place a few years back.

Eventually we got a drink in a tabak before we set off back to our place. We did pop into the train station and thought about getting the train back but decided against it. We wandered back to Port Guillaume were the others all had an ice cream, I waited and had a beer in the next pub we came to. La Voile Rouge was the place we popped into on the first day and that is were I got my beer.

From there we walked back around to our place via the river, the way we had been on the second day. Back at the apartment the lock gates were opening again.

Then it was the same as the last few days, drank on the balcony before a film at night.

Day Five, Wednesday 22nd August

Up early and watched the boat crane lift a boat off the back of a wagon and place it on stands in the yard. Anyway today we drove to Bayeux for the day out. We parked up on the ring road and walked into the town center.

When we got to the cathedral the land train was just about to set off, so we jumped on for the tour. Only trouble was a group of Italians got on (quite a lot of them actually) and made a noise all the way round. I do not know why they even got on, because they never once looked out at anything we were passing and they even started singing.

After the trip we went to look for dinner and wandered into the Tapestry Garden, an open air cafe/restaurant. The Bayeux Tapestry entrance was just outside so after some food and a drink, that is were we went next.

There is no photography allowed of the Tapestry so I have no photos of our visit. It is the second time Me and Dot have been but it was new for the other two and it is fairly well done how they do it. The only thing I didn't remember is that the tapestry isn't just about the Battle of Hastings, its the story of William and of how he became king of England. The Battle of Hastings is just the last few feet of the tapestry the rest is all the build up.

From there we had a wander round the shops and had a good look around Bayeux before setting off back to Cabourg. Once back we did the same as usual, we had a drink at the little bar Le Gallia, before going back to the apartment for food and a film. By the way Bayeur is one of my favorite places.

Day Six, Thursday 23rd August

Today was another day out and we headed north along the coast to Honfleur, we parked up near the old lighthouse and walked in to the center. Although we did stop just outside the town to get a photo of another lighthouse.

 

In Honfleur we had a good walk about, passed all the restaurants serving food outside and around the many shops, We even found a shop selling great sandwiches so got our lunch in there, I say sandwiches but they were big baguettes as usual in France.

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As we got ready to leave it started to rain, it wasn't bad but it was damp. So we just headed back to the room. We did end up in the little bar Le Gallia first, but had to sit inside as the outside it was all wet.

Day Seven, Friday 24th August

I thought we would just have a day locally but the others wanted to go for a drive, so we set off for Utah Beach, more of the D Day landing beaches. It was quite a long drive but didn't take too long on the motorways.

 

After a walk around the beach and a look at the relics, we moved on to drive back towards our apartment. We did go via some of the other D Day beaches, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc.

 

Back in Cabourg we had our final drinks and supper we had to be up early tomorrow to go home.

Day Eight, Saturday 25th August

We got up early, tidied up and phoned to french lady to say we were ready to go, only she could not get there for an hour, in the end she told us to go and leave the keys in the apartment.

The drive back was pretty uneventful, when we got to the tunnel we were told we were early and we could pay to go now or park up and wait. We parked up but as we got out to go in the terminal we were told to get the next train. So we could have paid extra to go on this train but in the end didn't have to.