France, Domain de Duguy, Onzain 2015

Friday 28th August to the 5th September

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.

France 2015

Feeling much better this year, although I do feel much older, so a trip to France may be on the cards. We have been looking at a week away during the May half term holidays with Amber and young Ralph.  Ralph has even said he will pay and drive, so that sounds good.

At the moment we are looking at the campsite of Siblu's Domaine de Dugny at Onzain in the Loire valley but we may chose something else.  We have been there a couple of times before, hopefully we do get away though.

More here when things are sorted.

Missing France in 2014

Well this year we will not be going to France. 

As you may know last November I has a Stroke, nothing too serious but Dot is not too sure about me.  Epically worried about travelling abroad with me driving.  Driving is the one thing that I do not think has been effected but my wife and daughter seem to be worried about it.

I will go along with their wishes for this year and see what they feel like next year.  For now I will keep up with my travels in England.

So sorry, hope to be doing France again next year.

France Sep 2013, the Beers

I though I would finish the France Sep 2013 blog, with a review of the new beers I found this trip to Picardy and Paris. We had quite a variety of beers between us some good and some not so good, so here we go and once again, in no particular order.

Haacht, Mystic Witbier met Krieken from Belgium

3.5% cherry flavoured wheat beer, red colour with a good head, sweet cherry aroma, sweet cherry taste, not for me but Dot liked it.

Coq Hardi, Blonde from Belgium

5.5% gold colour with a good but fast dispersing head, malt aroma, slightly sweet lager taste. Thought it might work like Viagra.

Jenlain, Ardente from France

3.1% deep pink colour with a nice head, summer fruits aroma, strawberry and cherry taste, another one for the girls.

Brouwerij Moortgat, Maredsous 6 Blonde from Belgium

6.0% hazy gold colour with a thin head, sweet yeasty aroma, slightly bitter sweet fruity yeast taste, very good beer and not really a new one to me but we had it in Paris.

Grimbergen, Rouge from France (yes France not Balgium)

6.0% very deep red in colour with a nice head, the aroma is of red fruits the taste is of sweet strawberry, yet another one for the girls although this one is a lot stronger.

Bretagne, Britt Blanche from France

4.8% cloudy gold colour with a thin head, yeasty aroma, slightly sweet yeast and coriander taste, very nice.

Bretagne, Britt Blonde from France

6.0% hazy gold with a poor head, hop and yeast aroma, nice citrus yeasty taste.

Brasserie de Milly, Rebelle from France

5.5% hazy amber colour with no head, not much aroma and it was fizzy and slightly sweet.

Bretagne, Britt Gwiniz Du from France

5.4% amber colour with no head, caramel malt aroma and nice caramel malt taste.

I have a load more of the bottles I bought still to drink and I think some of these bottles are from our previous trip to France in May.  In fact it could be quite some time before I catch up on the rest of the bottles and cans from both trips to France in 2013.

France Sep 2013, Day eight, The journey home

Day eight, Sun 15th Sep

Wouldn't you know it, a lovely fine day for driving home.

We have spent a total of four weeks in France this year and the weather has not been very good for most of our time there. We have had spells of good, even hot weather and even been sunburnt but overall it had been pretty poor.

Two firsts for France this year, we have not had a BBQ and we have not been in the pool, remember we have been here for a month altogether.

Has it put us off coming to France in the future, I don't think so.

I had, had little sleep, had taken painkillers and got fairly drowsy while driving but managed to get us to the port just in time to see the earlier ferry leaving. We had a two hour wait for our ferry, only we didn't really it was less than an hour before it arrived and we were on within the next half hour.

On the ferry I had a drink for a change as Dot was going to drive the rest of the way home.

Day Seven

France Sep 2013, Day seven

Day seven, Sat 14th Sep

Our last day and another miserable one weather wise.

We needed fuel and would have to pop into Soissons to the supermarket there and then into Lidl for some things we needed to take home.

After we did that we drove into Soissons centre and parked near the bar this is next to the river, the bar that we had used ever time we had visited.  One reason we went there, was that we knew where the toilets where and I was bursting.  It would have been rude to just use the toilets so we had to have a beer I think we might have had two.  It was to damp and cold to sit outside, shame as the bar is a lot nicer outside by the river.

We had a walk into the centre but we were too late for the market and nobody was in the mood for shopping.

As we drove back we all had a different ideas as to what we were doing next, which caused some confusion.  Seems the others knew what we were doing but the driver had got it all wrong.  I knew we where going to a small supermarket before going for a drink, I just had the wrong two places in mind to the others.

Back at the site without a drink, Dot and I wandered over to the lakeside bar for our last drinks of the holiday.  We had not had drinks on the site, this was a first for us, nor had we used the pool, I think it was all to do with the poor weather conditions over the week and us being half a mile from the main bar.  The lake side bar has been much improved over the years, as has the selection of beers and it it now cheaper than it ever was.

We had a couple of diferent beers before we were joined by Mick and Bren for our last drinks in France this year. 

Day Six or Day Eight

France Sep 2013, Day six

Day six, Fri 13th Sep

We had to be up early to catch the bus to Paris, which meant I had to be up even earlier, so as to let the drugs work so I could be relatively comfortably on the trip in.

The weather didn't look very promising and to save me walking the half mile, we took the car down to reception, where the bus left from.

As with our trip Pierrefonds a couple of days previous, Dot and I had been to Paris twice in in 2010 and had loads of photos but I still think I found plenty to take, I was looking for something different, only the weather got in the way a bit.  All my photos of the our trips to Paris.

Off the bus we went into the Palais des Congrès de Paris to find some toilets, we also found free WiFi in there, and checked out the family shop.

From the Palais des Congrès de Paris, we set off towards the Arc de Triomphe, which a further than it looks and the weather was getting progressive worse.  Dot and I had been on the 13th of September in 2010 and the contrast in weather was unbelievable, all you have to do is check out the photos from then to see the difference.

From the Arc de Triomphe it is a long walk down to the river whichever way you go, I think the others thought I didn't know where I was but it was only one long straight road. It was nearly a mile to the Place du Trocadéro, where we were heading for the great views of the Eiffel Tower.  I suppose if we had any brains between us, we could have taken the Metro and stayed dry.

Well we went there for the view of the Eiffel Tower but the clouds were so low, you couldn't see the top most of the time.  Next disappointment was, the fountains in the Jardins du Trocadéro, were off and workmen were erecting a stage over the gardens for some special occasion.  Apparently this happens quite often but I could not find out why it was this time.  We were supposed to be showing Mick and Bren the sights but up to now it was all going pear shaped.  See below for the difference in the weather, same day different year.

We crossed over the river towards the Eiffel Tower but as it was still raining, we though it would be a good idea to take a ride on the shuttle boat (the Batoboat) on the river Seine and see if the weather improved.

We took the steps down to the lower level by the river and found the place where the Batoboat left every 10 mins.  At €15 for a one-day pass (up €2 from 2010), it was a good way to see some of the sights and it made eight stops were we could get on and off at any time, it travelled in an anticlockwise route along the river.

It was still raining but I kept popping out the back of the boat to take photos as we went along, I had plenty already photos but you never know.

We travelled along the river sticking to the south bank, until the Batoboat turned and started the retune journey back along the north bank.

As we did last time we got off at Hôtel de Ville, crossed the river via Pont d'Arcole, to Île de la Cité, to have a look at the famous Nôtre-Dame Cathedral. it had stopped raining but the queue to look inside the cathedral was very long.  Probably something to do with the weather and not wanting to be outside, so we didn't go in.

Our next disappointment was here at the Cathedral, a large structure has been built outside the front, Notre Dame is marking its 850th anniversary and the 13 metre high structure will stand in front of the building for a year. Great, now you can not even get a good photo, you probably couldn't in this weather anyway to be fair.

 From the cathedral we headed towards the Louvre but stopped off to look around the flower market, while we were still on the Île de la Cité.  From there we crossed back to the right bank via Pont au Change and made the short walk along the river to the Louvre.  The rain was holding off but it was still overcast.

On the way we came across a pedestrian bridge over the river, the Pont des Arts.  In September 2010, Pont des Arts, had thousands of padlocks locked to the railings, they are known as "love padlocks".  Lovers attach a padlock to the bridge with their names on and then, throw the key into the Seine, In May 2010, the town hall had decided to remove them.  Well they are still there and it is September 2013 and there are more of them, a lot more.

It also looked to me like there are at least another two bridges over the river Seine, that had padlocks on and it is now becoming popular in other major cities in Europe.   Vendors around these bridges even sell padlocks especially for this purpose.

My worry is that some of these bridges will not have been designed to take this extra weight and that somewhere one will collapse, I hope I am wrong.   Look at the photos below for a comparison from 2010 to 2013, click on them for a larger view.

I really like the Metro signs, I am sure they are all the same but the backgrounds and situations make them all seem unique to me.

It was time for refreshments, so we popped into what looked like a nice small bar (Bar A la Tour), just back from the river front.  You know how people rave about French cuisine, well it was not in here, luckily we only went in for beers and very good beers they were. However we could not believe how the food was being prepared and served.   The lady running the place, was opening tins of food, throwing the contents on to plates and popping them in one of two microwaves.  Then randomly decided when she was going to bring the food to the table.  It could only have looked worse if she had had a cigarette in her mouth and I really can not explain why I do not have a photo, maybe I was in shock.

As last time we didn't have time to actually go into the Louvre but walked around the grounds and then went back down to the river to catch the next Batoboat back to the Eiffel Tower.

Back at the Eiffel Tower the queues to go up the tower are as big and long as ever so again, that was also out.  There is a lot of work going on altering the tower, yes you read right, altering the tower.  The first floor of the tower in being brought up to date, again you have read right.   The French, not content to have the world famous Eiffel Tower, they have decided to alter it, to modernise it.  Why not pull the whole thing down and build a modern new one, sometimes the French infuriate me, just leave things alone.  They have already messed with Mont Saint-Michel, making it less accessible to visitors, now they are messing with the Eiffel Tower.  I better end here, or this rant could go on for a very long time.

Time for a drink, we set off back in the direction of the bus station and stopped off at the bar Dot and I have used every trip.  The weather was improving and we sat outside with our beers.  I am sure we paid less for them than we did three years ago but then we moved on  to another bar and paid too much for crap beers.  There is always one on every holiday I think you can see from Mick's face that he isn't happy with the price of the beers.

We had to wait for one person before we could set off back to the site but it wasn't for long and my back wasn't too bad on the way back, although the Friday evening traffic was bad.  I was pleased to discover that there was a toilet on the bus, I think we were all tired when we got back.

Day Five or Day Seven