France 30th August - 6th October 2026 Total mileage 1,665.7
Sunday 30th August
After booking the ferry at the start of the year, we'd decided in April to attend the French Florette (our make of motorhome) Owners Club gathering. in early September. No other plans had been decided so everything is up in the air.
An early start to get to the ferry terminal at Portsmouth for
7am. No hold ups along the way so it was
an easy drive. We saw the sun rise,
something we hadn’t seen for a while. Although we got there early, we were
whisked through customs to await the ferry. Not long to wait at all.
We had seats looking out over the bow again and were able to get a little sleep. During the trip we saw a pod of dolphins playing in the water as the ferry slid by, just off the French coast.
We had a long wait when we got off the ferry for
customs. We thought maybe they had
started the retina and fingerprint identification but when we eventually got to the customs kiosk, all
they did was look at our passports, look on their computer and send us on our
way.
We took a stroll along the beach and had a beer at one of the outlets there.
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| We watched the rain clouds and the rain in the distance. Quite ethereal. |
In the town, there was a restaurant called Le Goeland (Legoland). Quite a clever name. (it's actually French for Seagull)
We had to shop as we are not allowed to bring milk of meat products into the country. We couldn’t decide what to have for dinner and decided on cold meats and cheese with a few tomatoes. The veg didn’t look very appetising at all but then it was Sunday.
Monday 31st
Further travel into our journey, this time to Le
Mêle-sur-Sarthe, near Alençon. We
stopped enroute at a E.Leclerc supermarket.
It was a large shop and the selection of foods better than a Carrefour
of the same size. We even had lunch in
the carpark, something we would never think of doing at home. Maybe the French think we are weird.
So far we have had some rain everyday but it is warm and
muggy still and the rain doesn’t last for long.
However, the grass is much greener than at home. Maybe overall, they have
had more rain than us anyway?
Our site for the next 2 nights is next to a lake which has some wonderful willow trees. A quiet location although I have just seen the local Gendarmerie cruise by around the campsite. They didn’t stop so it doesn't seem as though we are amongst criminals. The electric hook-up for this place has a French plug/socket. Unfortunately, Mike can see it in his mind's eye sitting on the bench in the garage. Just as well that we have these super-duper batteries and solar panels :)
We took a cycle ride into town. The path starts off around the lake so it was a very pleasant ride. The town is on the small side and some shops were closed. However, we did find a local Tabac and had to stop for a drink. We sat outside and watched the people and cars go by. A very pleasant time.
Back at the site and we see the motorhome with a trailer, that we saw twice during our recent drink at the tabac, was parked up near us. It seems they might have been trying to find the site.
Camping Car Parks are well utilised and are very convenient being near towns but also having basic facilities. This particular one has a shower block, not that we will use it.
We are deciding whether or not to get to L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue for the huge Sunday market. We need to get there on a Friday as we need to stay at the campsite for a minimum of 3 nights. We leave the Florette rally on a Monday and it is 500 miles. Do we do that 500 miles in 5 days or not go?
We decided to hammer it down there over the 5 days then slowly work our way back through the Dordogne. We have some semblance of a plan.
Tuesday 1st September
We didn’t do much today, having seen the town yesterday. We
stayed around the site for the morning, Mike sorting out the lockers, he
found the electric adapters and me doing some embroidery. In the afternoon, we took a leisurely stroll
around the lake. There was a plethora of
wildlife in swans, Canada geese, herons, egrets, and dragonflies and that's not
counting the fish that breached the surface searching for flies. Down one end there was a bathing area that
had a beach and various huts, a cafe and changing rooms and others. All this was fenced in and was closed and
empty. We later found out it was only
open from the beginning of July to end of August. Quite a lot of facilities just for 2 months
of the year. We came away from the lake
and wandered into town for a beer. I
also found a boulangerie open and I bought us each a slice of custard tart -
Tarte au foile, which we ate walking back.
A man who saw us wished us bon appetit! (it reminded us buying Yorkshire custard pies in Bradford before we were married 46 years ago - they were massive and needed supporting to take a bite)
We used the shower block. It was perfectly OK but I still prefer using my own shower. Book club this evening so hopefully I can sort out a hotspot for it. All was OK and hot spot found. The book we were discussing was an unreserved flop.
Wednesday 2nd
We set off to new sites. I drove this time. I should drive more as it always takes a while for me to get used to driving this big vehicle again. We stopped at a E.Leclerc enroute. There is a multi-level car park so I venture under the first level. It looks tall enough to take Daisy - and it was. Phew! It was quite tight parking though so I had to be careful at manoeuvring & turning corners, which I tend to take too sharply. Anyway, small prang averted and we find a double parking space next to a pillar. The shopping complex also has many other outlets so we are unsure exactly where the supermarket is.
I spy am E.Leclerc sign up the escalator and see someone with their shopping trolley on it so assume it is upstairs. No! The escalator is to the upper level of the car park. So back down we go laughing with a French couple behind us as we go. When we find it the E.Leclerc is massive! However, it didn’t sell any macrame twine, that I think I will need, so not overly impressed.
Mike got us out of the tight space that I’d got us into, then we parked up to sort out the sat nav and so I could take over. No sooner had we set off and got on the road to the toll that we stopped at a layby and had lunch. Mmmm. French bread and cheese. It tasted so good.
The onward journey went well and we ended up at Bouloire. As we drove through the village, I thought it worthy of a walking visit so after a cuppa at the site, we walked around the local wooded & lakes area. Some of the lakes looked very scummy with dead vegetation. It could be due to the water shortage we are going through at the moment but it feels like it has been like that for a while.
On leaving the site before the walk, Mike
mentioned he had seen a lizard while we were entering the code to get into the
site. We found him again just by the
pillar that houses the code entering bit.
He must have his home underneath as he popped his head out. He was in shadow, so we couldn’t get a good
photo of him. What we did see on the
walk around though was a tiny mouse, just sitting in the path. I could quite easily have squashed him if I
hadn’t seen him. It looked like he had
just eaten an acorn so maybe he was fully satiated and couldn’t move.
Around the other side of the lake, we entered the grounds by the local chateaux. There was a small hut-type building with iron bars at the window, perhaps a mediaeval gaol?
I went to have a look around the chateau (only the outside). There were a few teenagers playing around there and on my way back one said ‘Bonjour’ then another said it then another. How lovely. We walked into the village and found a local hostelry and sat outside with our beers. Who should pass by on a moped but two of the teenagers I saw previously. The pillion must have seen me as he waved to me several times. Of course, I waved back. Mike wondered what was happening. Sitting in the square near the chateau and church, it felt really good albeit a little noisy from the road noise. Maybe it was the beer mellowing me. After our beer, I went to look in the church as it was open. It was really old and had a wooden ceiling. I didn’t linger as there was someone cleaning it but it had a good feel to it.
There is a Pizzeria in the village so we decided to eat
there this evening. Whilst writing this, I can still feel the effects of the beer - it was strong! (thank God for spell checkers)
We went to the pizzeria, in fact we were the only ones there
all evening! I don’t know how these
small places can exist. Maybe they do
better at weekends and during the school holidays. The pizzas were large and very filling. I decided to have a salmon one with a creme
base. It was OK but far too much salmon
flavour for the whole pizza. Still, at
least I’ve tried it.
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| View from the pizza restaurant, just catching the evening sun |
Thursday 3rd
Neither of us had a brilliant nights sleep. Mike was uncomfortable and I felt like I’d drunk lots of coffee but I hadn’t even had a cup since breakfast. No idea what was the matter. Still, it didn’t prevent us from setting off for another venue after visiting the local U supermarket to get milk.
Mike decided to use country roads rather than the motorway toll road. It was much more interesting. Many houses seemed to be just plonked in place, with no rhyme nor reason for them being there. I assume it was from a time when the people had to build their houses near their fields. It does make for an interesting drive. Other than houses there were countless trees, which is not a bad thing.
At one point, the satnav took us the wrong way and we ended up at a beautiful looking chateau. After re-aligning ourselves, we ended up at the Camping Car Park at Mazes but our code didn’t work to let us in. We did wonder why but then Mike remembered he had requested our entry for 2pm. We had 40 minutes to wait so he did a multiple point turn to return to the road and go into Mazes. We managed to park along a street and went to explore. There wasn’t much. The church looked impressive and the sky above it was blue, blue, blue!
We saw a sign for Jardin Public L’Apostrophe so had a look in there. Again not much apart from a children's play park and the library (we assume). Along the road was a very ornate Boulangerie shop with old tile artwork. Unfortunately the shop was closed and was actually for sale! Going back along the street, we went into the only bar there and got a drink to await our allotted entry time.
This time we were successful, so bagged a spot and set up the awning with our new comfy chairs to while away the afternoon.
Of course, I can’t sit still for long so I went to investigate what the bridge we could see spanned. It is a river but we couldn’t see it from the site due to the hedges. Unfortunately, when I ventured down the side of the hedge to get nearer the river tributary, I noticed someone had used the area as a toilet. Honestly, some people have no pride in their surroundings, or they are really lazy. The road over the bridge is a main D55 road and during the day is quite busy with cars, lorries and agricultural vehicles. . We are finding sitting under the awning quite cool - more so than in Daisy - but later on, we took it in so we could sit outside during the evening as the day cooled.
Friday 4th
After a quick clean of Daisy (inside) and fill up with water, we travelled to Gennes on the southern bank of the Loire to the site where the Fleurette club rally is being held.
At the barrier, we were welcomed with a microphone to introduce ourselves. We must have been understood as we were shown to our pitch to set ourselves up then go to register. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Whilst we were sitting out so many people came up to say hello - even though they couldn’t speak English. They may have thought that we could speak French but we all got by. In fact, whilst Mike and I were walking around looking for the reception for a token for the washing machine, someone (Pierre Colin) invited us over to have a drink with them. We had to get our own glasses but we had a lovely start to the time here.
In the evening, we all converged at the official club tent and the President of the club said a few words which did seem to go on for quite a while but then we couldn’t understand what was being said.
All of a sudden, we were encouraged to stand up and go to the front to be
introduced to everyone as the new English club members. We were given a bag with some goodies in
too. The President welcomed me with a kiss on both cheeks and went to shake Mike's hand, to which Mike ignored it and went to kiss him on both cheeks. That went down well and raised a few laughs and broke the ice.
We were also introduced to Guy-Noel & Marie-Jo who speak a little English. They have been given the job of interpreter for us. We will try not to rely on them too much!
Saturday 5th
We joined many other members for a pre-arranged trip out. There were so many of us there were 2 coaches to take us, firstly to a mushroom cave in Cave aux Moines in Préban. We were shown how three different types of mushroom were grown there - brown button mushrooms, oyster and shiitake mushrooms.
We were given a booklet in English to read. Very interesting. After the tour, we all went to the restaurant still in the cave and were served a 5 course meal, using the mushrooms they grow there of course. It was delicious! Part of it was "foue es", small loaves of bread full of air that come out piping hot from the wood-fired oven. You then break them open and fill with salted butter, rillettes (shredded pork), mushrooms, beans, cheese and eat them like a sandwich. There was also wine throughout the meal too and coffee to finish.
After that, we all returned to the coaches and then went to Pierre et Lumièrea museum cave, this time to see very skilful sculptures created in the cave of various churches and cathedrals around the area. They are very ornate and intricate. Some of them are carved out of single blocks of the local Tufa rock.
Our last visit was to a tank museum in Saumur. Not really our cup of tea but nevertheless we
still took part. However, after the
third room I got bored and went to find the shop and go outside. Turned out I wasn’t the only one and many of
the ladies were also just outside the shop sitting together. I joined them and slowly others came out
too. It was around 6.30 by the time we
returned to the site. It had been a long
day, albeit in the cooler caves but quite hot outside. However, we were then invited to someone's
pitch with several other people for a drink and nibbles. We really feel very included and people are
trying to converse with us. I do feel my
French is coming along but I still can’t understand people conversing
together. Hopefully that will come.
When we left, we went into Daisy and closed the doors and
windows so as not to let any biting flies or midges in. We have been plagued with them and both of us
have plenty of angry looking and extremely itchy bites to prove it! They are keeping us awake at night so we are
feeling quite tired because of it.
Sunday 6th
A slower start to the day as we didn’t want to join the
cycle ride nor the walking group.
However, we did use our bikes (velos) to go to the local supermarket to
stock up on drinks and nibbles so that we can return the invite to our pitch.
At lunch time, we joined many others once more and walked to the local boule club. There we had a lunch, which went on for quite some time but it is the French way. We managed to talk with people sat near us, Guy-Noel and Marie-Jo also being nearby. The first thing we were given was an aperitif (I think it was peach wine). I thought that as we hadn’t had any breakfast it would go straight to our heads and I think if we had had much more it would have done. We then went up to get food, a meat dish with mixed cabbages to start then chicken, sausages and beans in a sauce as a main, then some cheese and tart then coffee. Again, quite a feast.
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| Michel Launay, the outgoing Club President |
After the meal, we all went next door to see
and play the boule. The indoor pitch is raised at the sides so the players make use of the slopes. The boules were slowly let go. It was a very slow game. Only those people with socks on could take
part as shoes were not allowed on the pitch. Mike was the first invited to have a go. He took his shoes off and stepped down. There was a laugh all around. He was wearing bright orange socks so Mike grabbed hold of his own collar and marched himself off the court to much laughter!
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| Marie-Jo & Guy-Noel |
On arriving back at the site, Mike was already there sitting outside so I joined him but again the tiny, tiny biting insects are out in force. The spots they create are 30 times the size of the insect themselves! And the itch seems to last for several days. I think they are worse that the Scottish midge!
Monday 7th
Another trip out today, firstly stopping at a Girouetterie (weather vane) workshop. They make and restore weather vanes. It was started in 1993 and they make
girouettes from peoples designs or pictures.
Quite interesting although we could not easily understand the guide’s
explanation. The vanes are made out of
copper or zinc or brass. On show are some of the works in progress.
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| Tour de France weather vane |
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| Vane from the 1992 Winter Olympics |
Following that stop we went to Angers, one of the main cities in the area. Angers has a wonderful old castle dating from the 12th century (I think). Apparently, the Plantagenets (from England) took it over for a while until they were ousted out).
We had lunch in a restaurant just opposite the castle. We were all seated in a room partially situated underground with a low ceiling so the noise from everyone talking was quite loud - until they started eating that is. Again the food was lovely although not so many courses this time but again we had wine. Following the meal, we were divided into 3 groups and each had a tour guide who took us around parts of Angers. We saw the old part which had some very old and interesting buildings. There was one old house, number 17, which is the oldest in Angers (possibly the whole of France - I couldn’t really understand. At the base of the houses are large uprights stones. These were put in place to guard against the carts wheels bashing into the houses and causing damage. They made quite good seated resting places! We also saw the cathedral spires with, of course, girouettes. Mike noted that they were not pointing the same way. The cross in between had 2 horizontal sections presumably one to represent the sign above the cross with INRI.
We went to the cathedral, Cathedral St. Maurice dating from 1096.
It has a very strange front portico which doesn’t blend very well with the date of the cathedral. We found out that this is more for protection from the sun and rain and wind. Seeing the carving above the door you can understand why. At one time these carvings were coloured, presumably with paint and some of the colour still remains but not much. Inside it was a simple design with a single area and no side sections. There was a very large organ originally built in 1748 partially restored in the baroque style. There were tapestries depicting the life of St John the Baptist and stained glass. One of the rose windows depicts signs from the zodiac which is extremely unusual in a cathedral and doesn’t appear anywhere else in France. At the altar there was a very ornate centre piece with 6 pillars and gold archway at the top. There was much ornate carved wood with the pulpit being the largest but it wasn’t clear how someone would get up to the place to preach. Maybe a hidden staircase.
We left the cathedral by a different entrance so had to go and find Mike, who was sitting down outside.
Our guide then took us to an ornate 5 storied house Maison d'Adam (which was a shop on the ground level) and pointed out the carvings, one being a boy running whilst showing his balls.
Walking through the centre were shops and roads coming from all directions and also tram lines with trams & bendy buses. It was quite busy but then it was getting near the end of the work day. We also saw a long queue of students looking for work whilst studying. I suspect not all of them found a job. We got back on the coach at the botanical gardens. It was a shame we didn’t have time to walk in there. The trip back started out very slowly due to the amount of traffic. We were all very tired and many people fell asleep.
When we got back we had a quick refresh and sit down then went to Guy-Noel and Marie-Jo to meet some English people (Barbara & John) who are also in the Fleurette club but were only passing through this time. They had been members for 10 years and it was good to hear how they picked up the language and were able to hold full conversations with people. I would love to get to that stage and fully intend to try when we get home. We have already signed up to a FB page for a conversation group. We really do feel included.
Tuesday 8th
Slow start today as there is a market on in Gennes (the local village) so we could visit that when we wanted. We didn’t have breakfast as we thought we’d be able to get something at the market. There was a van selling crepes and galettes but we walked past without thinking about eating! Following a quick visit to the supermarket (we had our bikes (velos) with us) we returned to the market to buy some cheese for our lunch and some local honey - Acacia and chestnut.
The fruit and veg stalls looked very colourful and healthy! During our lunch, so many people past by and said “Bon appétit”.
In the afternoon, we went on another excursion, this time to the Espace Air Passion Museum at Angers Airport. Although it was in French, we had quite an education and saw many exhibits, some really old. Using our translation app, we were able to see the information about the aircraft.
I’m sure the guide gave our French friends more information but it didn’t matter, we were happy. Guy-Noel met someone at the museum that he used to work with in the French Air force, what a small world! During our time in the museum, the rain poured down. Luckily, we were inside and by the time we left, it had finished! It cooled everything down a little.
Free time when we got back so we took advantage of catching up on laundry and sitting down!
Wednesday 9th
Today was the day of the general meeting and selection of the new president. There were long speeches which Mike and I were able to partially follow using Google Translate. Our phones got very hot with all their work!
We were then given a 5 course lunch which ran from 1pm until 4pm. So much sitting down today. During the lunch, there was also some dancing which I got up for some of the time. Much of it was similar to a tea dance for couples dancing but it was enjoyable to watch. We got home for a relax.
In the evening we decided to go for a wander around the camp site. We very soon we were accosted by midges! Clouds of them! We quickly retreated back to Daisy, went inside and battened down the hatches.
Thursday 10th
No trip for us today but to start the day we had to fill up with water as we were literally empty. The club had left a pipe out for people to use but it wasn’t long enough. Eventually Guy-Noel got his with a few connections and we managed to make the pipe long enough to fill up Daisy. As we hadn’t got any plans for the day, we cycled to the local vineyard with Guy-Noel, Marie-Jo and Jean-Marc. We were a little early so we went to see if the Abbey was open but it wasn’t. So we went to the little chapel behind it but that was closed too so we spent a little while looking at the graveyard.
Guy-Noel said that some graves have sign on them indicating that after so many years have passed the bones are dug up and the plot is re-sold. That was because there was no family left to pay for the ongoing years for a family grave. The grave side was old but the oldest grave was only dated from around 1850. It was time that the vineyard was open so we cycled back there.
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It was our first vineyard trip. We saw the large vats with wine and the smell
was to die for but we didn’t get to see any of the workings of how the wine was
made. We did, however, get to sample
some wines. We ended up ordering some
for collection on Saturday. But, whereas Guy-Noel and Jean-Marc were
ordering by the case (of 6 bottles each) we were ordering by the bottle. We certainly weren’t used to how the French
buy their wine. We did end up buying a couple of boxes of wine though.
It was a lovely cycle ride there and back and we managed to take a few
lovely photos of the Loire.
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| Jean-Marc with his home brew! |
That evening, we were invited to Jean-Marc’s camping car for an apero. He had a lovely woven encased bottle with an aperitif. Yet another lovely evening spent with people who are rapidly becoming friends.
Friday 11th
Another trip out, this time to an old restored house purposefully made to encompass old style shops and apothecary’s. It was good looking around what used to be the norm, and quite shocking at times. I was reminded of going to the dentist when I was younger and quakered at the thought.
The guide gave a demonstration of some of the merchandise on sale during the olden time. It was explained in French so we missed some of the descriptions but there was much laughter so I assume they were no longer thought to be appropriate.
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| Gee Ollie! |
We then had free time to go around the rose garden
before boarding the bus again. We then
stopped at a nearby auberge for our lunch.
Only a three course lunch this time with 2 bottle of wine between 6 of
us. We were sat with people who either
didn't speak any English or only a little but we got by with Google
Translate. It turns out that one of the
party had also been a nurse and she also used translate to speak with us. We all got on well and had a laugh. Mike and I are really loving this new found
confidence to try to speak French and just go with the flow.
The trip then went onto the troglodytic site (a cave)
entitled The Mystery of Faluns at Doué-la-Fontaine. We walked through these caves going from one
era to the next with visual scenes of either art works or video clips projected onto the
rocks. It was amazing. My favourite location.
Saturday 12th
Another free day - well almost. Mike went to collect the wine with Guy-Noel while I stayed to do some washing and also clean the inside of Daisy. They were away for so long that I was able to have a sit down outside to read my book for a while. I’d forgotten what it was like to rest! We actually spent the rest of the day not doing much and we're due to go to another apero in the evening.
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| Not a cloud in the sky |
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| Just a balloon that we thought was going to land in the river! |
It turned out that the club had been having a whip around for one of the members whose house had burnt down and the insurance wasn’t going to pay out for a year. The presentation for this was going to be in the evening so the appero was postponed to the following evening.
We went along to the presentation, having been able to make our own contribution. The evening turned out to be brilliant. After the presentation, which was quite emotional, everyone then started offering their bottles to anyone who would succumb. We had some very nice home-made aperitifs along with some wine and some martini. We all had a very good time and a laugh at the same time. We were the last to leave!
Sunday 13th
Our last full day. A
picnic was planned for today but before that there was a small ‘for sale’ area
where various motorhome parts were for sale along with some wooden items made by
one member. Mike bought 7 LED lamps to
replace the halogen ones we have.
The picnic tables were set out. There were many of them and they trailed
along the paths nearby keeping to the shade from the trees. Again a wonderful time was had by all.
We went too our last apero in the evening. It seemed like many of us were speaking Franglais but were managing to make ourselves understood. I got my tongue drum out which seemed to go down a treat and everyone had a go on that. You cannot make a bad tune with it.
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