France ! (Now with all photos)

Monday, we managed to get the air conditioning in the Motorhome “re-gassed” at Kwikfit in Tonbridge, they we not exactly ‘Kwik”, as their machine ran out of gas half way through “re-gassing” ours, and they had to start the process again. We were just glad they could do it on the day.

It gave us some time in Tonbridge for a last little bit of shopping, a few more summer clothes for both of us. 

Tuesday morning, we were booked on the 11:15 P&O sailing from Dover to Calais, and Nic’s brother’s road was going to be closed for road works, so we got up early and were on the road for 7:30. An hour & 20min drive, a 90min check in time,plus a good 30mins spare time, just in case.  In any event we arrived at French Customs (yes, they are in Dover before check in), with no queue, a quick passport stamp, then British Border Control, where we were waved straight through without stopping, and got to the check in desk at 8:53am. “would you like to go on the 9:15am, which is just boarding?” obviously “yes please” so we were in France 2 hours earlier than planned! 

We drove to Wissant, only about 20 mins from the ferry port, to an “Aire”, for the non-camping readers – a Aire is a place usually near a town/village, where you can park up overnight. The price can range from free to €10 – €15 per night, and facilities can range from nothing to everything you expect on a campsite (water, drainage, electric hook-up). The Aire at Wissant was free with drainage, and very busy.

Wissant was a nice little town on the coast and we went for a walk on the beach.

Wednesday was market day in Wissant, it appeared to be a big market for the size of the town. We enjoyed browsing round, bought fresh strawberries and mushrooms. Then we drove to Neufchatel en Bray, as we had decided to book a campsitethere for 2 nights over Bastille day (French National Day, 14 July).

On Route we visited the Abbaye de Valloires, built for the Cistercian order, but now a facility to support children with poor social skills.

On Thursday we saw some of the formalities, with the emergency services and local dignitaries laying wreaths at the war memorial. It was a hot day and they were wearing full uniforms, including helmets. As we watched one of the Emergency workers keeled over and was quickly and efficiently carried away from the ceremony by 2 colleagues. One of whom returned quickly to resume her position, fire axe in hand, next to the flag bearers.

Friday, we drove to another free Aire on the outskirts of Chartres, just a nice carpark, no facilities at all. Walked in the Chartres along the river to see the cathedral, which was large,and had an intricately carved stone choir screen.

Saturday, we drove to Chateau Chambord, an amazing Chateau, on which construction started in 1519, with possible design links to Leonardo De Vinici, it has 4 identical facades, with a double helix staircase at the centre, and 54 sq.kilometres of grounds! We stayed at the Aire (€11) in the carpark, only 200 metres from the Chateau. There was a classical music concert that evening in the court yard, we had observed what looked like the rehearsal during the day, as we toured the Chateau, then for the performance in the eveningfound a strategically placed bench so we could hear from outside!

Sunday morning, we were awoken at 6:30am by the sound ofhot air balloons being inflated the other side of the hedge we were parked against. Rog got out of bed to watch them take off, an impressive sight.

Drove a 2 ½ hours further south to just north of Limoges, to a campsite at Le Lac de Pardoux, on the banks of the lake with plenty of trees for shade, as it was projected to be 40C on Monday. Asked for a shady pitch, our allocated pitch didn’t have much shade so we ended up on a different one (one Rog had spotted earlier, when we arrived to early to check in), then the fun with the electric hook up started, the electricity bollard next to the pitch was not working, so after 3 visits back to reception, they lent us an extension cable and we managed to get power by moving the motorhome right to the edge of the pitch so the cables would reach. It is a lovely pitch with a view of the lake, lots of trees for shade in a quiet corner of the campsite, we are here until Thursday