Days 98 – 103: Paddling, Tattoos, Tyres and Maddy Munchkin

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Clunegapyears

98 – Sunday: Mega exercise

K and J did a sluggish run. Zozo and Louis, who had shown us the route two days ago, both declined to accompany us. Funny that!

Niecey then showed K and Louis the way with the new Pilates DVD. Most excellent backwards roll Niecey!

Exhausted! And canoeing to come!

The Aged P’s departed with a few unwanted Nordic layers … less then they brought out to us … so we can argue that our piles in their attic are less …. not sure they would agree we have made much of a dent though!

After lunch down to the river near Aubeterre for canoeing. Louis was solo, but after assuring James that Niecey would NOT capsize him … K with Zoe and J with Niecey. Just at the point of departure Clare and co started bigging up the ‘OBSTACLE’. Something to do with a disruption of the river flow! We were taken up river with the canoes and left to wend our way gently down stream, enjoying the peaceful sounds and sights of nature … NOT. We had attempted boardings, attempted oar stealing, zig zags from one bank to the other (K and Z), ramming and turning each other around. Louis’ new rubber sandal went overboard in the attempt to draw him off. The obstacle was a weir … with a chute and then a drop for canoes. None of us managed to topple out, despite being told to hang on … quite what to we are not sure! Zozo decided to ride the canoe like Boudica until she toppled in. K then joined her for a river walk but could not re-enter the canoe until it was fairly shallow. The picnicking family only offered her water (bah!) when she asked for ‘un petite verre”! Zozo, fed up by now with standing in the canoe became the masthead, but at the back and sabotaged any directional work K was doing. Exhausting! And memorable!

James and Niecey … she kept her promise not to capsize him.

Louis with the technique!

Zoe as masthead

K now really exhausted and abandonning Zozo!

99 – Monday: Chalais market, Tattoo and Tyres

A wander around Chalais market and the obligatory cafe – grand creme. It’s all Niecey’s fault … she suggested it! K ended up with a tattoo on her arm …. similar to henna so it will fade. Unlike Maddy’s new tattoo, a Taurus branding on her thigh done in Lanzarote last week.

Am I really doing this? Bright idea Bakers!

Answers on a postcard as to what it says!

Also managed to fill up the 2 x 5l emptied water bottles with Merlot at EUR2.40/litre.

A huge lunch ‘formula’ in Bonne and then K and J were dropped off at Chalais Tyres, where we had left Chardonnay in the morning, to await delivery and fitting of two new front tyres. We had just got the damp laundry out to hand off the bike rack and J was just about to sleep off his boozy lunch, when the tyres arrived and were fitted.

Zero fuel so we headed to the Intermarche, sorry but our delivery did not arrive …. nearest was almost back at C2’s house, which we made on vapour. Finally we set off in the vague direction of Bordeaux. Stayed the night on a Bordeaux Grand Cru vineyard … the only motorhome there so very peaceful.

C2: we forgot to write in your visitor’s book. Our official entry …

Amazing free pitch with great company, free electric, pool and washing machine to be abused. Extra services include hair dying and motorhome washing.

Day 100!!! Tuesday: Maddy Arrived

We collected Maddy from Bordeaux airport via the biggest Carrefour we have ever seen. The whole retail area was infinitely bigger than Cribbs Causeway in Bristol! There was even a store devoted just to Table Football.

Poor Munchkin had come back from burning the candle both ends with what she described as ‘Fresher’s Flu’. Dosed up, she pretty much slept, so we put some miles arriving at a campsite in Crayssac (Cahors area). Yes we could BBQ and with coals and they had a pool.

K revealed her ‘tattoo’ and Munch was not taken in for a moment that it was real …. mostly amused that K would be stuck with it for about 2 weeks!

A quick dip and then supper. The band started warming up and were pretty good … a tribute to a French singer that we’d not heard of and nothing like typical Eurovision French music. We wandered down to listen with our chairs and a plastic jug of decanted Merlot … classy!

Cannot believe that we have been travelling 100 days. It has been the most amazing experience. Loving it.

101 – Wednesday: Cahors and Saint Enemite, Gorges du Tarn

Hilly and humid runs for K and J. It started to rain as we stuck camp, but we just got M’s tent down in time. We had planned to stop in Cahors for a coffee but the rain was still teeming down. And cars were all teaming into Cahors; probably everyone heading in as a wet day destination. So we kept going. Given the weather and Maddy’s cold we turned it into a driving day.

Stopped in the Gorges du Tarn. Scenery remincient of some of the Scandinavian drives … steep sides and J did not look down much as he was driving.

A tight turn into our campsite …. alongside the river. BBQ on the Cadac Safari gas grill.

102 – Thursday: River Walk to Saint Enimite and Saint-Gilles

Again, Maddy slept whilst K and J ran. After striking camp, we left Chardonnay on the pitch and crossed the bridge to the pretty path that led to the village of Saint Enimie for a coffee.

Typical chimney

Maddy and I used to make such twig houses when she was little

We had planned to stop for two nights within 1 hour of Marseille airport, but the traffic around Arles had other plans. Gendarmes in force, bouchons as far as you could see in all directions and cars abandonned in favour of walking home. We headed off a round about down the only road that was clear – and onto a Peage. Our first since the start of our trip, but we got off the motorway quick incurring a classe 2 toll of only EUR1.70 and headed south.

J googled a campsite in Saint-Gilles on his phone, but actually we could NOT have missed the huge banner across the road. To get a pitch that would take the >8m of Chardonnay and allow us to open the door, we ended up on a pitch with electricity … such expense! But we have a super large pitch and put the awing out!

Gas BBQ again and K got stuck into Apperol with sparking wine … thanks to Steph at Cotham for telling me about it …. absolutely spot on for a hot evening.

Breakfast … actually wearing some of it!

Is this what I ordered?

That Englishman abroad again!

Pilgrims old church

How Maddy occupied herself whilst we wandered the cemetry … Ugh, it’s disrespectful!

103 – Friday: Lazy Lunch and swim

No exercise today … both feeling indolent. A leisurely getting started … but then a hive of industry. K scrubbed and pounded, whilst James wrung and squeezed! Whilst all this laundry was being washed and hung out … Maddy slept!

We wandered into Saint-Gilles: it is on the pilgrim route from Italy to Compostella, so an old church and we wandered the ancient cemetery. Some of the old gravestones had signs stating that they were to be reclaimed … lack of use or rent?! One wonders what happens to the bones of the outgoing incumbent as the new arrives!

Ate far too much at a restaurant along the canal, where we fortunately had a breeze. Staggered back to the campsite … this is where a wheel barrow would have come in handy for our distended stomachs. K and M to bronze and cool off by the pool and J to nanny nap in the van, until he also came for a cooling dip.

Our PA in England had emailed all sorts of admin jobs, so we dealt with these and relaxed … hoping the heat will abate later. We have an early start … will leave at 7.00 tomorrow to drop Munchkin at Marseille airport.

Our pitch

Days 88- : Blimey – its hot!

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Clunegapyears

88 – Wednesday: Driving and France Passion

Made contact with a friend who has a house just west of Besancon… ‘yes come on over’. But by the time we exercised, tidied up and put the Sat Nav on and set the settings against Peages, we decided we did not have enough time to get there in one day. We basically drove. Stayed overnight in a France Passion … nothing to do with our sex life! France Passion are farms and small businesses with a bit of space around them who allow 3-5 motothomes to ‘park’ overnight. We used them last year on several trips and nearly all were pretty fabulous. This one was in a tiny village called Midreveaux on a small cow farm. We had the parking to ourselves so got the table and chairs out. Quick walk around the village and back for a glass …. gin straight from the freezer :). It is warm.

89 – Thursday: Blimey it’s hot!

With the heat starting, we staggered around our exercise … J made of more resilient stuff as K kept getting overheated and having to drop to a walk 😦

Sally Sat Nav took us down LOTS of VERY SMALL roads; fortunately little traffic. Arrived at our friend’s house: offered and gratefully received a cold drink followed by a dip in the pool. The pool has only been open two weeks and the surroundings are still work in progress. But the pool …. 32C and the water like silk. Just brilliant. According to the thermometer, the afternoon reached 41C. Blimey it’s hot!

We dined out in style at a restaurant called the Cactus … French chef whose Mexican wife is front of house. Don’t know where we put it given our reduced stomachs from our meagre and healthy rations from travelling Scandinavia, but we all managed three courses and a coffee.

90 – Friday: Thunderstorm and Hotter!

Having had a bellyful of food and wine last night, the exercise went awol this morning. Started to feel humid and then a thunderstorm making it more humid. We left about 11.00 just as the sun started with some heat …

Stopped at Beaune as James had not seem the Hotel de Dieu, a charitable hospital, still in use since C15. It has a very recognisable roof and is still part funded from its own vineyard sales. Not sure how that works on the PC front … wine and health! Absolutely boiling, airless and humid walking around the Hospital. Our ice creams were melting faster than we could eat them. Spot the Englishman abroad! Note, no socks though!

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Drove onto a place called Digoin on the Loire. We are in a large aire de camping car. It has facilities and were able to empty the chemical toilet. Attempted to pay for water using a variety of credit and debit cards, but the machine was not having any of it. The weather app says it was 38C – think real feel must be higher as it is soon debilitating. All windows and roof lights are wide open.

Maddy sent me a pic of her and her best friend on a camel; apparently it was very sassy … the camel that is!

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90 – Saturday: Vichy, funnily enough known for water!

Decided the aire was a rubbish place to overnight. Not just the insect sort, but gnats (mopeds) and little boy racers used the large car park as a circuit until about 4.30. And this on top of the noise and tannoy from the boules tournament going on below and, of course the heat. We both slept in the nud, with all the windows open … serve anyone right, had they looked in. But we were in good company as the other 13 ‘vans all did much the same, although i can’t vouch for their sleeping attire!

Not much at Digoin, but a rather pretty viaduct canal over the Loire river. Both J and I used it for our exercise … as we were late up and it was starting to get hot, I Norked, but J ran.

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We lunched and a neighbour helped us with buying the jeton for 100l of drinking water …. he had rung the supplier of the point de service earlier and sorted out the problem I had the day before. Both us and Chardonnay fully replenished, we set off for Vichy.

Vichy was the home of the collaborative government during WW2, but next to nothing is made of this. It is all about the spa drinking waters. And the waters came and got heavier as we started to explore …. I am sure the droplets were twice normal size. We sheltered in a coffee and cake shop :).

Then had a quick look at the park and the source of one of the springs. We did not go for a prescription of waters … apparently you have to book the Dr 3 months in advance!

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We did not linger in Vichy as we would have been washed down a gully. We found a France Passion about 40 mins from Vichy at a chateau in Vicq. As we arrived, we were shown onto a proper hedged camping spot. Offered water and electricity, which we did not need. Asked if we would like to attend the theatre production this evening; which we declined a J has little French and I would also have found it hard work to follow. By now the weather was on / off sun and rain, so we actually managed to get the awning out and sit out for our drinks and meal. Bear in mind that France Passion are supposed to be a arrive with what you need, leave nothing and few facilities, if any … these camping pitches over looking the Charolais white cattle were quite special.

K even made a mossie / wasp trap, which sadly did not catch even an ant, but has brought it with us and is determined to show it works.

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Day 68: Maddy’s Ball and A

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Clunegapyears

68 – Thursday 25th: Grr – Weather

Maddy sent me some pix of her all dolled up from her Leaver’s Ball last night …. proud of my beautiful daughter – don’t she scrub up well!

Our overnight Football pitch … completely alone 🙂

The rain cleared for a while so we could exercise, but it was still damp and chilly in the air, so our planned walk did not materialise. We drove through Lecknes, doing some basic shopping and getting rid of recycling. And onto A. yes, the town at the end of the island, really is called A. As we came over the top a mountain, the clouds parted enough for the sun to poke through to reveal the most amazing views at Reine. We, and as many motorhomes as would fit in the parking all stopped to take pix. K even got tripod and changed camera lens, so sorry quite a few of similar subjects

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At A we parked up with our fellow at the museum car park … by night fall it was cheek to cheek / bumper to bumper motorhomes, but thankfully quiet from about 11.00 till 8.00. More stockfish hanging to air but heads this time. Surprising how large and ugly they are. Small fishing village pretty, but little here unless you fancy visiting the museum all about fishing, or actually going fishing. it is however, the Maelstrom Sea that when it get going, if wind and tide are in the same direction, the waves crashing on rocks can be hear d5km away. Stayed peaceful for us.

Rows of suspended cod heads … still not sure what they are used for.

Close enough, thank you!

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Just part of one row of overnight motorhomers …

Days 47-49: Katherine and 10 Degrees of Separation

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Clunegapyears

47. Thursday … Munchkin, shopping and indulgences

Early start and J drove me to Helsinki Airport. Gatwick into BR is a dream: the railway station is right next to the terminal. It was mayhemic, but I had pre-booked the ticket. Slight issue that my CC I had booked with initially did not want to work in the machine … something to do with lack of use for x number of weeks? Lots of staff on hand, helping people with luggage as well as tickets … excellent service.

It felt a bit like arriving in a strange country … the trees are a lot more varied than pine and silver birch, wider range of plants generally and different architecture. The biggest difference was the TEMPERATURE – it felt so warm, at least 10 degrees C warmer than Helsinki.

40 mins later and a brisk walk from North Camp station to the Aged P’s house. They were living it up in London, but had left me a key and LISTS of things for me to do and a FOLDER with labelled sections of our paperwork … I had to get listing from somewhere! I seem to remember the girls ribbing me about my Girlie Camping folder … but we were always booked in!

Picked up the car key (as well as admin, PA and hotel services, they also offer car care / storage!) and drove to collect the Munchkin who had just finished her last exam. I won’t dwell on how good it felt to have a proper squidgy hug, but is was bloody good. We went to Guildford (via a camping shop to buy a gas regulator … I had a list of things to do and bring back!). First task was to exchange a top: Maddy had spotted a top she thought would suit me … layers of floaty grey. Very me, but swimming on me. Check this: I’ve lost another half stone since we started travelling. Top exchanged and now officially lost 5 and a half stone and 4 dress sizes on my top half. Big :). Other bits of shopping, including a very smart bikini top for Munchkin, followed by lunch at Bills.

Me and ma Munchkin

My really lovely top from Munchkin

A year on and still 5’4″ … you really ain’t going to get any bigger.

Dead Sea face masks

Sainsburys on the way home for chicken, crisps, chocolate, cheese and wine … we had a movie night and indulged. Tesco’s delivered at 8.00: various items, but most importantly 10 litres of gin, which Maddy decanted into emptied, bought for this purpose, 2 ltr water bottles … is there something wrong about getting one’s 17 year old to do this!??

Decanting the Gin

48. Friday

Up and at ‘em. Into Reading for a Apple one to one to help set up the replacement Mac Book Air, which had been delivered to the Aged P’s, along with loads of other goods. Better add Receiving Office their list of support. Patronising American tit of a git who did not actually resolve some of the questions I had … but followed on by a helpful chap who sold me the replacement phone. Oh joy … new toys and back on mobile comms 🙂 Maddy had the blinding idea to book us a pottery painting session. I had attended children’s parties when they do this, but it was a really lovely time and very relaxed, painting away. Maddy did GCSE Art, so should be arty; I recognise that I am more autistic than arty, but neither of our efforts will rank better than the output from said children’s parties.

Maddy’s sunrise: her, me and Chardonnay :). Colours apparently come out very strong when glazed and fired. Sorry, forgot to take a pic of my submission … probably just as well!

Munchkin had a sleep and I did admin, uploaded and downloaded on new kit. Please note: Maddy is 17 and needs nanny naps, I am 50 and as Finland is 2 hours ahead, had effectively gone to bed at 3.00am!!! A really pleasant supper with Maddy and David, catching up on news of his job, family and people I used to know.

It was a real wrench leaving Munchkin BUT we have agreed that quality time every 5-6 weeks is better than the odd evening when she can fit me in between College and her Sat/Sun job. In Maddy’s words, I had the nicest time.

49. Saturday

Another early start – 4.30 UK time (so only 6.30 by my body clock). I had travelled over very light, with just a small ruck sack, but paid all of £10 to return with a suitcase. Final packing, weighing and re-packing and would you Adam ’n Eve it, I had to leave one of the 2 ltr Gin bottles behind … suitcases weigh about 4 kilo and I had other bits to bring back. Amazingly, the suitcase was dead on the 20 kilo limit! I put all the heavy, non liquid stuff in the ruck sack, but still got pulled at the airport scan as I was carrying 3 tins of red salmon … apparently liquid in the tin put the container over the 100 ml category … however, they let me through with them. It really does seem mad bringing salmon to Scandinavia, but tinned is either expensive or non existent – the fish counters in supermarkets have a massive range of smoked and cooked salmon … we will splash out and try some.

James easily findable at the airport as Chardonnay is rather large and back to the campsite. Easy afternoon as it was raining and feeling lazy. BBQ on the Cadac Safari grill (no charcoals on the pitch) using the new gas regulator and meat brought in from UK.

Interesting new neighbours … Finish Romanies. Not sure that they are the native Sami people as her costume did not seem to match the images I’ve seen. She sported a long skirt with a frame over the hips, so the skirt came away square from her waist. They played really lovely ballads. Just a shame they chain smoke and talk loudly and frequently on the phone. Away to bed: a very busy two days.

Clune Gap Years

A journal and reflections of our motorhome travels

Tag Archives: maddy

Days 98 – 103: Paddling, Tattoos, Tyres and Maddy Munchkin

Days 88- : Blimey – its hot!

Day 68: Maddy’s Ball and A

Days 47-49: Katherine and 10 Degrees of Separation