The length of France: from last page to first page in 18 days



Yes -that`s snow on the Pyrenees

The rest of the month of April was our annual dose of France. First we spent a week once again at Le Brasilia in Canet en Roussillon in one of the cheap (cheep?) units:-  old but perfectly serviceable bungalows named after birds. This time we were allocated Chardonneret (Finch). The site had opened just the day before we arrived, so everything was fresh, clean and - in many cases - new. The weather was kind :- bright sunshine and clear skies, but the wind was fierce, which shortened some of the cycling! Nonetheless we did some trips in each direction. Towards the end of the week there was a severe deterioration in the weather and we took the bicycles for servicing during a gale! The area near the campsite has been being seriously developed over the years of our visits, and there is now a large functioning boatyard with numerous shrink-wrapped vessels. Overall there is vibrancy about the town, and no shortage of tourists. (Small curiosities were a family with identical triplet boys of about a year old:- quite a handful at mealtimes, and a new Dutch animateur who engaged us in conversation and said his own name of Bob was incomprehensible in most of Europe but he had been named after Charlton and Kennedy!)

We left on the Sunday and had an easy drive up to Bergerac for a one-night stop. We had chosen a very comfortable and well-located hotel (l´Europ) and enjoyed a sunny evening stroll round and a duck menu in the open air. We liked the place a lot and will return. Here are some shots:

Then we drove through some beautiful countryside for two nights visiting George and Gregory near Limoges. Like last year we stayed in Availles at Le Chatellenie with its lavish decoration and noisy floorboards, and spent time chez George. This included a Thai meal with their ex-pat friends which was cooked by Gee who is lodging there, and a lunch out in a favourite small restaurant in Les Éterps. The sun shone for much of these days, and we set off for the Atlantic coast in hope!

We stayed in the Vendée at Le Littoral - a campsite in the same Yelloh group as wonderful Brasilia and with the same 5 stars. It didn´t quite measure up to this, though - the mobile homes being rather packed, there being a poor traiteur (take-away) service and the WiFi playing up periodically, but it made a change and we did a ride to Veillon beach on a glorious day. (It was very busy:- we had hit Parisian school holidays!) Unfortunately although the weather remained good for a couple of days we were hors de combat as Bob had badly sprained his ankle - probably as he mounted a pavement on the good ride - and was confined to barracks (with dodgy WiFi) for several days by which time we were back to disgusting climatic conditions. This meant Ruth had to do a bit of driving. This is a very rare occurrence and breath was baited as we did short trips, but we did manage a Sunday lunch at nearby (and pleasant) Port Bourgenay. The sun shone brightly but the wind was bitter and we ate in a half-sheltered terrace retaining our jackets as did the other diners. Lovely food from the "almost cheapest" menu:

After that we had to make the best of bad weather. We had already decided to leave a day early as our plan for getting to the ferry at Dunkerque was looking too demanding and the Vendée not looking worth it, but we did a day trip to Sables d´Olonne (as in round the world sailing). Once again some awful winds, together with ankles and knees meant a meagre tour, but we sat and ate our lunch outside the glass-fronted pool and watched hardier souls on the beach!
On the Tuesday we took our time to pack up - dodging the rain - and drove to Alencon. It was a stressful wet drive, but at least we knew how to do the last few kilometres:- unlike last year! When it came to eating the only real option was the Buffalo Grill, which has delivered the goods before. Oh dear! Ruth has made a formal complaint about the Charolais steak (and its replacement). Watch this space for their response! It was a disgrace! Never mind, we had the prospect of a Campanile meal the next night (our penultimate of the season). The drive North was mostly very easy as it was a Bank Holiday and HGVs were banned. We flew up to Rouen, sometimes having no other vehicle in sight. We were determined to get round Norwich´s twin city calmly but a bridge is closed so panic again... We coped, enjoyed some sun in a place near Dunkerque and later discovered that Campanile has reduced quality considerably since our early enthusiastic encounters. (We would have gone to neighbouring Poivre Rouge - but it chose to close for the evening... Grrrr!?)
Up early and on the 8am ferry to Blighty!