Day eight, Sat 11th May
We set of for our next stop before ten. AutoRoute and the Sat Nav on my phone, both suggested a route that would take us mainly by toll roads. We knew another route that was all dual carriageway but had only a short toll section, it was 314 miles their way and 315 my way, it would be about €29.00 in tolls their way, or €6.00 my way. We went my way.
We stopped for a picnic about half way and had it at a picnic table in the warm sun. We kept expecting it to get warmer as we drove south and we were not disappointed, it was nice and warm when we arrived at Sequoia Park in in Charente Maritime.
We got settled in to our accommodation and relaxed in the sun after our long drive.
Day Seven or Day Nine
Monday, 10 June 2013
France 2013, Day seven, Normandy
Day seven, Fri 10th May
On day five, when we took a wrong turn and went through Courseulles Sur Mer, we said it looked like a good place to visit, so for our last day in Normandy (for now that is), we went back to have that look.
We parked up by the river Seulles and walked towards the sea. We could see there was a pier so we headed for that. We passed a few fish sellers setting up their stalls ready for the catch coming in on the fishing boats. Later we discovered that this part wasn't the river but a channel, cut for use by the fishing boats and the marina. The river joined in just before the pier. On the opposite side of the river we could see the D Day museum for Juno Beach. On this side of there there were some guns, a tank and an British red phone box, something we often find in France .
Anyway it was bitterly cold along the pier (it probably wasn't that cold but it felt it), so we didn't spend long there and headed in to the shopping streets instead. As we came off the pier though, the sun started to shine again. As we passed the tourist information centre there, I managed to get free WiFi again.
After the shops we crossed over the channel and river and made our way towards the Juno Beach museum and gardens. There were a few guided tours taking place around the museum and grounds but we didn't join in. We did take the opportunity to use the toilets before we continued with the walk.
We had a walk on the beach and a look at the large Aire, for future reference and also found the Croix de Lorraine. In 1990, the Cross of Lorraine was erected to commemorate General de Gaulle’s return to France on June 14 1944.
Back in the town centre at the shops, we found some beers I had not had but it was then we realised we had no money with us, it was locked in the car a long walk away. So we bought nothing, getting tired (and with sore feet), we headed back to the car.
We needed fuel before our long drive tomorrow, so we drove the couple of miles to the supermarket we had used when Lidl was closed. Fuelled up for the journey, I insisted we have a look in Lidl anyway to make up for the other day. I did buy a few beers but not much else, there was another Lidl close to our next stop.
On the way back to the site, we stopped of in Courseulles Sur Mer again but just for Dot to buy something she had found earlier and could get now as we had money. I just waited in the car while Dot popped into the shop.
Day Six or Day Eight
On day five, when we took a wrong turn and went through Courseulles Sur Mer, we said it looked like a good place to visit, so for our last day in Normandy (for now that is), we went back to have that look.
We parked up by the river Seulles and walked towards the sea. We could see there was a pier so we headed for that. We passed a few fish sellers setting up their stalls ready for the catch coming in on the fishing boats. Later we discovered that this part wasn't the river but a channel, cut for use by the fishing boats and the marina. The river joined in just before the pier. On the opposite side of the river we could see the D Day museum for Juno Beach. On this side of there there were some guns, a tank and an British red phone box, something we often find in France .
Anyway it was bitterly cold along the pier (it probably wasn't that cold but it felt it), so we didn't spend long there and headed in to the shopping streets instead. As we came off the pier though, the sun started to shine again. As we passed the tourist information centre there, I managed to get free WiFi again.
After the shops we crossed over the channel and river and made our way towards the Juno Beach museum and gardens. There were a few guided tours taking place around the museum and grounds but we didn't join in. We did take the opportunity to use the toilets before we continued with the walk.
We had a walk on the beach and a look at the large Aire, for future reference and also found the Croix de Lorraine. In 1990, the Cross of Lorraine was erected to commemorate General de Gaulle’s return to France on June 14 1944.
Back in the town centre at the shops, we found some beers I had not had but it was then we realised we had no money with us, it was locked in the car a long walk away. So we bought nothing, getting tired (and with sore feet), we headed back to the car.
We needed fuel before our long drive tomorrow, so we drove the couple of miles to the supermarket we had used when Lidl was closed. Fuelled up for the journey, I insisted we have a look in Lidl anyway to make up for the other day. I did buy a few beers but not much else, there was another Lidl close to our next stop.
On the way back to the site, we stopped of in Courseulles Sur Mer again but just for Dot to buy something she had found earlier and could get now as we had money. I just waited in the car while Dot popped into the shop.
Day Six or Day Eight
Friday, 7 June 2013
France 2013, Day six, Normandy
Day six, Thur 9th May
Another good day, spent time sitting in the sun reading, went for a walk down the front and had a beer or two. I also discovered that there was free WiFi at the tourist information centre, so I could check in with home. If I had listened to Dot. I could have done this every time we had passed here, which we had done quite a lot during the week.
That evening we went over to the bar to see a band, they were very good and it was a welcome change to the usual racket.
It was another public holiday, the campsite was completely sold out so it was very busy. I have said many times that I will check for local holidays before we travel and every time I forget.
Day Five or Day Seven
Another good day, spent time sitting in the sun reading, went for a walk down the front and had a beer or two. I also discovered that there was free WiFi at the tourist information centre, so I could check in with home. If I had listened to Dot. I could have done this every time we had passed here, which we had done quite a lot during the week.
That evening we went over to the bar to see a band, they were very good and it was a welcome change to the usual racket.
It was another public holiday, the campsite was completely sold out so it was very busy. I have said many times that I will check for local holidays before we travel and every time I forget.
Day Five or Day Seven
Thursday, 6 June 2013
France 2013, Day five, Normandy
Day five, Wed 8th May
Well the weather changed, it rained part of the night I think, and was overcast as we had breakfast but it did brighten up. We had to get some shopping today, for one thing we were short of beer. The closest Lidl was only a four mile drive, so we headed there. We took a wrong turn and went through Courseulles Sur Mer and got stuck in traffic, it was very busy there and looked like a good place to visit later.
Back on track we arrived at Lidl to find it closed, I got out a could find no reason for it not to be open. I was a bit angry as I had checked where this shop was and opening times before we left for France. Anyway the was a hyper Champion just over the road, so we used that instead. It was very crowded with very long queues at the tills, I was glad to get out of there.
After lunch, it clouded over again so we went for a drive. We had looked at Little Switzerland, a supposedly picturesque area of Normandy and planned a route around there. We didn't get off to a good start, one road we were supposed to take was closed and it took us a while to find an alliterative route.
We dove round Little Switzerland and stopped at Pont-d'Ouilly, we had to sit in the car until a shower passed over. When we did get out for a look around all of the shops were closed and we began to suspect that it was a public holiday but it was Wednesday. We had a very short walk along the river before heading off for Falaise.
Falaise in the birthplace of William 1st of England (William the Conqueror). Château de Falaise is the Castle there, it suffered due to bombardment during the Second World War but it has been part restored. Falaise was also closed but the castle was open. We walked around the outside but didn't go into the keep.
We did however, use the toilets in the souvenir shop. You can walk some parts of the wall. There are binocular type viewing devices around the castle grounds, the sort of thing you get at the seaside or at scenic views but looking through these you can see a 3D view of the castle from that position, as it was in the middle ages, very clever.
I tried to get a panoramic shot of the castle walls, it didn't turn out too bad.
From Falaise, we drove straight back to the coast, the roads were very busy, especially around Caen. Back at the coast, from Ouistreham all the way back to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, through all the other seaside towns, everywhere was heaving with people. We had a go at walking on the beach with all the others but the sea breeze made it a bit too cold for that.
We eventually found out it was a public holiday, for VE Day, apparently is is celebrated in several countries in Europe but not the UK.
Day Four or Day Six
Well the weather changed, it rained part of the night I think, and was overcast as we had breakfast but it did brighten up. We had to get some shopping today, for one thing we were short of beer. The closest Lidl was only a four mile drive, so we headed there. We took a wrong turn and went through Courseulles Sur Mer and got stuck in traffic, it was very busy there and looked like a good place to visit later.
Back on track we arrived at Lidl to find it closed, I got out a could find no reason for it not to be open. I was a bit angry as I had checked where this shop was and opening times before we left for France. Anyway the was a hyper Champion just over the road, so we used that instead. It was very crowded with very long queues at the tills, I was glad to get out of there.
After lunch, it clouded over again so we went for a drive. We had looked at Little Switzerland, a supposedly picturesque area of Normandy and planned a route around there. We didn't get off to a good start, one road we were supposed to take was closed and it took us a while to find an alliterative route.
We dove round Little Switzerland and stopped at Pont-d'Ouilly, we had to sit in the car until a shower passed over. When we did get out for a look around all of the shops were closed and we began to suspect that it was a public holiday but it was Wednesday. We had a very short walk along the river before heading off for Falaise.
Falaise in the birthplace of William 1st of England (William the Conqueror). Château de Falaise is the Castle there, it suffered due to bombardment during the Second World War but it has been part restored. Falaise was also closed but the castle was open. We walked around the outside but didn't go into the keep.
We did however, use the toilets in the souvenir shop. You can walk some parts of the wall. There are binocular type viewing devices around the castle grounds, the sort of thing you get at the seaside or at scenic views but looking through these you can see a 3D view of the castle from that position, as it was in the middle ages, very clever.
I tried to get a panoramic shot of the castle walls, it didn't turn out too bad.
From Falaise, we drove straight back to the coast, the roads were very busy, especially around Caen. Back at the coast, from Ouistreham all the way back to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, through all the other seaside towns, everywhere was heaving with people. We had a go at walking on the beach with all the others but the sea breeze made it a bit too cold for that.
We eventually found out it was a public holiday, for VE Day, apparently is is celebrated in several countries in Europe but not the UK.
Day Four or Day Six
France 2013, Day four, Normandy
Day four, Tues 7th May
It was another fine day, so we spent the morning relaxing in the sun reading but after lunch decided to go for a walk. We needed to do some shopping soon but as the sun was shining and we had enough food and drink for now, we left that for another day. As we did with sight seeing drives, we could do that later if the weather changed.
Back down at the beach (we took a different route down this time), we walked the way we had gone on the first day but this time had the camera with us, although I didn't use it much.
In Langrune sur Mer, we looked around a nice beer shop, lots of beers but I had drank most of them already and the rest were slightly too expensive. We found a tabac and went in, just so that I could use the toilet you understand but it would have been impolite not have at least one drink. We had two.
We walked back to the site via the main road, the sea front is a better walk. Back at the site the sun was off our balcony so we had a beer or two outside the bar which was still in the sun.
Day Three or Day Five
It was another fine day, so we spent the morning relaxing in the sun reading but after lunch decided to go for a walk. We needed to do some shopping soon but as the sun was shining and we had enough food and drink for now, we left that for another day. As we did with sight seeing drives, we could do that later if the weather changed.
Back down at the beach (we took a different route down this time), we walked the way we had gone on the first day but this time had the camera with us, although I didn't use it much.
In Langrune sur Mer, we looked around a nice beer shop, lots of beers but I had drank most of them already and the rest were slightly too expensive. We found a tabac and went in, just so that I could use the toilet you understand but it would have been impolite not have at least one drink. We had two.
We walked back to the site via the main road, the sea front is a better walk. Back at the site the sun was off our balcony so we had a beer or two outside the bar which was still in the sun.
Day Three or Day Five
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
France 2013, Day three, Normandy
Day three, Mon 6th May
It was a fine day again, we had not expected good weather this first week of the holiday here in Normandy but we were not moaning. We set off to the sea front again and once there headed in the opposite direction to yesterdays walk but first we had a look in the tourist office next to the gun emplacement.
I did have my camera with me this time, although I didn't take many photos, we set off along the beach to Bernières sur mer. The first part of the walk was along the beach until we came to a promenade, where the walking was much easier. We didn't intend to walk as far as we did but we just kept on walking in the sun and in the end we did about five miles.
In Bernières sur mer, we walked as far as the first house in France liberated by seaborne forces on D Day, until then we had not really realise we were walking along Juno Beach. The house is now known as Maison de Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, as it was liberated by the men of that Regiment, part of 3rd (Canadian) Division.
Here we had a rest, before we headed back towards Saint Aubin Sur Mer, we sett off along the main road until we passed the turist office and came to an Intermarche. We looked in but didn't buy anything much just a couple of new beers for me but made a note that it was close if we needed it and it also had a petrol station.
Walking by the road wasn't very interesting, so as soon as we could we moved back to the sea front and continued back the way we came.
Back in Saint Aubin Sur Mer, we sat and had a couple of beers in the sun and then had another beer on the way back to the campsite.
That night we had the same noise from the bar until late.
Day Two or Day Four
It was a fine day again, we had not expected good weather this first week of the holiday here in Normandy but we were not moaning. We set off to the sea front again and once there headed in the opposite direction to yesterdays walk but first we had a look in the tourist office next to the gun emplacement.
I did have my camera with me this time, although I didn't take many photos, we set off along the beach to Bernières sur mer. The first part of the walk was along the beach until we came to a promenade, where the walking was much easier. We didn't intend to walk as far as we did but we just kept on walking in the sun and in the end we did about five miles.
In Bernières sur mer, we walked as far as the first house in France liberated by seaborne forces on D Day, until then we had not really realise we were walking along Juno Beach. The house is now known as Maison de Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, as it was liberated by the men of that Regiment, part of 3rd (Canadian) Division.
Here we had a rest, before we headed back towards Saint Aubin Sur Mer, we sett off along the main road until we passed the turist office and came to an Intermarche. We looked in but didn't buy anything much just a couple of new beers for me but made a note that it was close if we needed it and it also had a petrol station.
Walking by the road wasn't very interesting, so as soon as we could we moved back to the sea front and continued back the way we came.
Back in Saint Aubin Sur Mer, we sat and had a couple of beers in the sun and then had another beer on the way back to the campsite.
That night we had the same noise from the bar until late.
Day Two or Day Four
France 2013, Day two, Normandy
Day two, Sun 5th May
The campsite, Yelloh! Village Côte de Nacre, is in Saint Aubin Sur Mer and it was market day Saint Aubin Sur Mer. So early morning, we popped into Al Fresco reception to ask where the marked was and also ask if we could move to a quieter mobile home.
The answers were, they did not know where the market was, as it was their first week on site and had not had time to find out yet but they thought it was just outside the site but to ask in main reception. To the second question, they didn't think there was another van we could move to but they would make some phone calls and get back to us after our walk.
Main reception confirmed the market was just outside the site and turn left. It was only a small market and didn't take long to look around, so as the sun was shining we made our way to the sea front. I didn't even have my camera as we only popped out to the market but we would have plenty of time for photos later in the week.
Considering we only went out to the market, we ended up walking over three miles and visited the next seaside town along, Langrune sur Mer. It was still only lunch time when we got back to the van but we wanted to see if we could move to a quieter spot.
We had a light lunch, of cheese, pate, bread and crackers and then contacted the reps. We could move to a smaller van but it was next to the children's play area with lots of noise from the many bouncy castle generators. We decided to stay where we where and sleep in the small bedroom.
The sun was shining, so we though we would spend the rest of the day reading in the sun outside the van. As we were now settled, I set up the satellite dish, pointed it in the direction I thought would be right and the picture came on without any additional adjustments, result.
By the way, we should have moved to the other mobile home, the noise from the bar area, was horrendous, very loud and the same drivel and music, every night. Not so bed if you are drinking there I suppose but very annoying if you are trying to have a quiet night watching a film. We had to have the TV volume up to the max, the noise did stop before midnight though.
Day One or Day Three
The campsite, Yelloh! Village Côte de Nacre, is in Saint Aubin Sur Mer and it was market day Saint Aubin Sur Mer. So early morning, we popped into Al Fresco reception to ask where the marked was and also ask if we could move to a quieter mobile home.
The answers were, they did not know where the market was, as it was their first week on site and had not had time to find out yet but they thought it was just outside the site but to ask in main reception. To the second question, they didn't think there was another van we could move to but they would make some phone calls and get back to us after our walk.
Main reception confirmed the market was just outside the site and turn left. It was only a small market and didn't take long to look around, so as the sun was shining we made our way to the sea front. I didn't even have my camera as we only popped out to the market but we would have plenty of time for photos later in the week.
Considering we only went out to the market, we ended up walking over three miles and visited the next seaside town along, Langrune sur Mer. It was still only lunch time when we got back to the van but we wanted to see if we could move to a quieter spot.
We had a light lunch, of cheese, pate, bread and crackers and then contacted the reps. We could move to a smaller van but it was next to the children's play area with lots of noise from the many bouncy castle generators. We decided to stay where we where and sleep in the small bedroom.
The sun was shining, so we though we would spend the rest of the day reading in the sun outside the van. As we were now settled, I set up the satellite dish, pointed it in the direction I thought would be right and the picture came on without any additional adjustments, result.
By the way, we should have moved to the other mobile home, the noise from the bar area, was horrendous, very loud and the same drivel and music, every night. Not so bed if you are drinking there I suppose but very annoying if you are trying to have a quiet night watching a film. We had to have the TV volume up to the max, the noise did stop before midnight though.
Day One or Day Three
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