Category: France

Enjoyed the morning in Honfleur.

Checking in was sooooo easy ‘cus we’d done the paperwork properly. It was nice (and satisfying) not to have to join the COVID queue at the terminal.

Gave us plenty of time to enjoy the view …

And to sneak on to an earlier train so home by 6.00 (despite the best efforts of the M25).

We’d set aside today for COVID testing and paperwork, so the fact that we achieved it counts as success (although we’re still in France, so the proof of the pudding ….).

It was a lovely morning again.

The testing was ok. A lovely pharmacist who spoke good English and seemed to know just when he was tickling your eyeballs to stop! And we’re negative which helps. Goodness knows what would have happened ….

Anyway, managed to complete the YouGov form reasonably quickly, making answers up to the daft questions (what’s your seat number on Eurotunnel).

And then Eurotunnel website crashed so out for lunch.

That was nice – even being able to drink at lunchtime.

And with a bit of help after a revisit to the pharmacy to sort out paperwork and, of course, some help from a well-known IT consultant in Wales, we did it!

So could have a meander – really like Honfleur.

To Honfleur, but first saw the moon setting

And 310 miles later here we are:

Thought it would make sense to reduce the drive to Calais and also give us a day for COVID testing and admin. So it felt a lit like the end of the holiday when we left.

But Honfleur is gorgeous:

So it still feels like a holiday. Here’s where we’re staying:

Testing can wait till tomorrow.

Just over the sea from La Rochelle but with a toll bridge. It’s been on Eileen’s list for a long time and here we are.

But before we do, we must talk bread. Who knew the French are extremely good at it. And as a fully paid up member of the pain fan club it’s heaven. Baguettes, croissants, pastries and so on and so on is just heaven.

Anyway, back to Ile-de-Re – and it was a beautiful late September day.

Meandering, lunching, sitting on the beach is what it’s all about. And dropped in to La Rochelle for the evening – ice cream:

And a sunset over the car park!

Moving again tomorrow.

Who knew there was such a place in France? 30 miles inland from La Rochelle, near where we’re staying is a whole network of little islands and canals. So you have to take a boat trip.

That’s Samuel in charge by the way.

And, of course, followed by lunch.

More light duties in the afternoon – Maillezais Abbey if you’re interested.

Back to the Gites. It’s a hard life!

And Coulon for the evening.

Meant to add a photo of a loaf of bread yesterday – almost the highlight ….

Off we go again. One last look at the castle.

And here we are.

You can see that from Bordeaux, it makes sense to go via La Rochelle. And it really really did. It’s a fabulous town, which Eileen was convinced we’d been to before but I don’t think we have.

And we were able to get coffee and lunch and ice-cream just when we wanted. Which proves the French can do it if they want to!

And finally a brief hi from our friend currently in Copenhagen.

Forecast was pretty lousy, so expectations were low for today. And they were duly met. But at least we’re in France, we thought, so can make up for it with decent coffee, food and drink. Or not!

It was a nice idea to meander around some small towns, and when it rained to dive into a little cafe for coffee or lunch. Except there weren’t any – or they were all closed or only serving lunch when we wanted coffee or whatever.

So let’s go back to St Emilion and book up for a decent dinner.

Ha ha. All fully booked. So off to the supermarket again – what can you make when you don’t have an oven? How about a microwave paella – and you know what – it was one of the best ever!

At least could watch the rain in the castle. Cheers.

An unexpected accolade to begin with – it’s the worst city I’ve ever driven in. Paris, London, Marrakech, Cancun and many others fade into insignificance. It’s huge, busy, lots of bikes, pedestrians and roadworks and no real centre to aim for. So when the satnav said 7 miles and 45 minutes we laughed ……

Anyway, we managed. And parked. And after an hour or so began to get our bearings and began to really like it.

Then headed down to the beach at Arcachon which was a bit far but lovely.

And the best sandcastles we have ever seen.

A couple of French niggles though:

1. Basically you can’t get anything to eat before 7.00. Even in this popular beach town every restaurant was only doing drinks until 7.00.

2. French service in a supermarket was … very French. Do you have small baskets? Non – only massive trolleys. Can you take a massive trolley through the self-serve till because you only have a couple of items? Non. Do cashiers look on as old ladies struggle at the till? Oui. And so on and so on.

But there you go. Who’s moaning?

Heading south towards St Emilion (of great wine fame) and Bordeaux.

To stay in a real live castle.

That’s the view from our apartment. It’s hard to get a sense of it so resorted to a couple of google pics.

But on the way took a detour around St Emilion which we’re guessing is a nightmare when busy….

… but lovely when it isn’t.

Sandwich shop for lunch was cute.

And the owner of the castle left us a bottle of their own wine which we thought was pretty decent.

(and according to our friend Mr Google again, about €15 a bottle)