Day 31 Somme

Cycled into the town Saint Vallery sur Somme. A beautiful old town.

Then we cycled alongside the canal. However the selfie shows the cycle path not the water!

And cheval salad tonight!

Day 30 Rouen

Quiet motorway (expensive of course) but we decided to stop off in Rouen.

And on to the Somme.

Very lucky to get the last spot on the site! Meant for a tent but big and sheltered.

The estuary is huge and stunning.

Day 29 Durlat

And we're on our way back. Stopped at a lovely site by the river in a beautiful town called Durlat.

It was a public holiday and the town was completely shut and deserted! But we had a nice walk!

Day 28 Il de Re

Suns out! Managed to sit by the pool for a while. 

Then went for a bike ride but we needed coats, still windy. 

Day 27 Il de Re

A long ride out today to the lighthouse where I had moules! 20 miles in all covered!

Day 26 Il de Re

Cycled to Saint Martin for coffee.

And then on to La Flotte

Although it's quite sunny it's still windy so we decided to put up the awning.

Day 25 Il de Re

Off to Ars en Re to catch the market this morning but it was very disappointing and not as big as we remember it. So a walk around the town and back to the van just as the rain started. Dads been to the under cover pool for a swim this afternoon.

Supplementary story

On day 8 when we left Saarburg dad also left his toilet bag. No problem you'd think, just buy a few more toiletries but no: in the bag were his tablets!!!

We tried to email but our German is sadly lacking. So when we arrived at St Avit a nice young British rep for Eurocamp who could speak German offered not only to ring the site but did so on their own phone! As far as we could make out it was to be sent to the camp site and we would send them euros to cover the cost. ( we left there on the Thursday, emailed Saturday, phoned Sunday and it was posted Monday ) Great we thought but every day no bag. We tried phoning but thought it was confirmed it was on its way to us. So eventually the staff at St Avit said that when/if it arrived they'd contact us. Not a lot more we could do so we thought we'd move on. Then there was the roof debacle........when we reached Arcachon 3 days ago it had arrived!!!!! Not only would they put it in the post they would ring this site and tell them it was on its way!!!

And today after 12 days without it and tablets.

Day 24 Il de Re

Cycled into La Couarde expecting to find a market but it was only fruit and veg. Very cold and windy.

But after lunch it's warmed up a lot and we decided to cycle to Saint Martin. 

Where we saw the donkeys in their pjs. 

Managed to eat outside this evening and then had a ride to the beach. 

See below warning of what happens when you try to cycle on dry sand!

And yes he was fine!

Day 22 Il de Re

Had a fairly late start we drove through rain to Ile de Re. Although it's only forecast a few degrees warmer than home the sun is now shining and we've had a short ride to the closest town.

Now having a beer before we eat!

And then a bike ride to Loix and back before it rains!

Day 21 Arcachon

A very windy day so we only manage to cycle 11 miles to Lege. It was very hard cycling against the wind and it did nearly blow me over at on stage. We did get to see La Pyla the big natural dune though. And a short ride this afternoon. But we have managed to miss the rain. Dads just gone on another around the village but I hope if it stays dry to get to the shore this evening. Photos to follow when they sync from my phone!

Day 23 Arcachon

It's rained all night and all day! Most excitement is a mobile home being removed from the site!

And about 4:00 it stopped raining and the sky is blue!

Cycled to Andernos les Bains

Day 20 Oradour-sur-Glane

Headed of to Oradour-sur-Glane a town where the Nazi's rounded up a whole town and massacred 643 men women and children as a show of strength and to intimidate.The town has been preserved as a monument to them.

Then we headed off through some pretty nasty rain to Arcachon ( yes the name of our house) and we've just had a quick ride to the beach.

Day 19 Perigueux

Another lovely day so a walk into the town and then by the river.

And then back to the V W dealer for a 2 1/2 hour wait!

He insisted on speaking quickly and we had a job to understand but the R A C have been excellent and they think there may be a problem with the roof motor. Anyway we've moved on to Cognac-la-Foret. Lovely site run by a Dutch couple. Tomorrow we hope to visit Oradour-sur-Glane.

Day 18 Perigueux

Back on the bikes today a 14 mile ride along the banks of the L'Isle lovely! 

And then we've just been to see a choir singing in a church in 

Now having a beer outside the hotel!

Day 17 Pergueux

A lovely day spent on a walking tour around the old town in the morning and then after a bit of a rest and lunch around the Roman part of the town in the afternoon.

Whilst posing for this Mart was a bit jumpy turns out the we're bees swarming  over the walls!

Day 15 Dordogne

Thought we'd go to Bergerac for the day. But the van roof won't completely close or open. French mechanic turned up ( after 14:00 of course) and he may be good but has no English or any idea about VW's electrics!

Up early to a V W dealer! Fingers crossed.

Day 14 Dordogne

Quiet day on site.

Day 13 Dordogne

A rather long walk into La Bugue. Downhill all the way there uphill all the way back. May take a while to recover!

Nice market in the town.

Day 12 Dordogne

Cycled to the market in St Alvere and found a lovely town. It had a wash place that was used by the women to wash clothes until the 1950's

And a place where the farriers took care of the cows hoofs!

We also bought some asparagus for our lunch. Lovely! 

Day 11 Dordogne

3 hours driving to arrive at the most amazing site in the Dordogne. Lovely site in the heart of the countryside with a huge water park. Luckily there's hardly anyone here! At least 3 outdoor pools and 1 indoor- yet to be tried! Time for some relaxation for a few days.

Day 10 Argenon

The forecast wasn't good so we thought we'd press on. With a few disagreements with the sat nav we ended up in Argenon-sur-Creuse. Walked into the town and saw the remnants of an old Roman bridge.

Day 9 Troyes

After driving to France and finding the site we'd chosen was awful we had to drive further on not on main roads and saw some lovely churches.

Ended up at a site near Troyes very near to a lake. Nice site. 

Day 8 Echternach

Left Belgium and headed for lovely rural Luxembourg. Stopped in Echternach and had a big cake and a walk around the town.

Then headed for Saarburg in Germany. Beautiful  town.