Early Spring Holiday, 2 March 2026

Saint Nicolas de la Gave, Tarn-et-Garonne

Not the world's best day!  We had decided to visit a highly-recommended motorhome repair place, about an hour's run in the wrong direction.  It was a very lovely drive, though, cross-country, through lovely countryside and loads of pretty villages and so on.  But when we got there, nobody was at home - I think it is a sole trader, rather than a dealer.  The neighbour said they had gone to Spain for 3 weeks.  Wouldn't you have thought they would have put it on Google maps, as other businesses do?

There was nothing for it but to come away.  And we drove more cross-country, stopping to buy bread, and then again in a supermarket car park for lunch in the town of Sauveterre!  Yes, of course I thought of Fabrice, who wouldn't?!  Anyway, I didn't actually need anything as I'd got bread, so didn't go in, and they were the kind of supermarket that has solar-panelled roofs over the parking spaces, so we were in the shade - necessary, as the main skylight has broken.  This machine is ten years old, and is showing its age!  The bedroom door has also broken again.  And then the gas on one of the burners turned itself off and wouldn't stay lit.  At which point, I said we would have to call it a holiday and go home, as I couldn't possibly cook on just one burner - fortunately the Swan Whisperer found how to fix it, and has!  He now says it isn't working again - I am not prepared to put up with it, so we'll have to come home if we can't get it fixed!

Anyway, this was after we had removed the Satnav's prohibition on toll roads, and driven down the A62 (I think - I slept most of the way) and more minor roads down here to Saint Nicolas de la Gave, which is near Moissac - a town I know and love from a French Exchange here back in 1970!  I hope we can fix the gas burner and carry on with the holiday!  There is another repair place not far away, so if the SW can't fix it, they might be able to.

But what he has, finally, fixed is the hab door lock!  I don't think he knows quite what he did, but all of a sudden it started working.  Something to do with a solenoid, whatever that is.  Anyway, it's working, which is the main thing - we won't have to barricade it with the steering lock.  

Today's photo is of the pollarded trees around the aire.  I haven't had a walk today, but I did practice tai chi while the SW was having a leg-stretch.  

Supper is ready....

Early Spring Holiday, 1 March 2026

Verteillac, Dordogne

The Swan Whisperer went for a run round Lac Saint-Cyr this morning - only about 5k, but he enjoyed it.  Look at the daisies on the grass, not a very good photo, but they really were daisies!  

After a rather late breakfast, we headed on to the nearest supermarket - not that I needed much, but we like to treat ourselves to patisseries for lunch pudding on a Sunday (these were apple tarts, and very good they were, too) when we are travelling.  By the time we had done all that, it was noon, and we tried to listen to our church service while driving on, but the sound quality was dreadful - I don't think it would have been had we been listening on a laptop or even a phone via headphones, but on a phone which was then Bluetoothed to the car radio.... Not good!  Still, we enjoyed the hymns.

We stopped for lunch soon after the service had finished, and then continued on down to this tiny village of Verteillac, which is really rather nice.  After a cup of tea, we went round it to see what we could see.  The Sunday market was just finishing when we arrived, but really by the time it had spread itself over two squares and the car park, that was basically the end of the village!  Nice church, though!

It is very nice here; there are services, although you have to pay for water and/or an hour's electricity (useful for charging up a recalcitrant battery, but I don't think we'll need it); emptying services are free. 

We are basically a day ahead of ourselves, as I tried to send us down a route that What's Halfway suggested for the four nights we had changed plans, but the first place was in the middle of the Aquitaine floods, and thus closed out of use.  And the Swan Whisperer pointed out that this place was the exact same distance from Lac Saint-Cyr as the place I'd chosen, and it was two sides of a triangle.  So we will either get to Mas Alart a day early, or spend two nights at one of the two stopping-places en route.  We shall see..... We decided that going up into the Pyrenees and spending the night in a non-winterised motor home was seriously not a plan!  

Meanwhile the hab door is playing sillybuggers again; the Swan Whisperer has tried to fix it, but no joy so far.  We will ring our motorhome place in Sussex to see what they recommend, or there might, of course, be a repair place locally.  On verra.

P.S. Am rather annoyed - I bought a new set of pill-dispensers because they were rather lovely and I need a new set anyway, only to find that two of the lids broke as I was taking them off to fill with my week's pills!  Dreadful quality!

Early Spring Holiday, 28 February 2026

Beaumont-Saint-Cyr, Vendée

Bernay really is the loveliest town, and on a Saturday it has a street market, too.  It is quite a hike from the Camping-Car Park, so we drove to an Intermarché car park which is much nearer the town centre.  In fact, this Intermarché is "Drive" (Click and Collect) only, and they have opened a shiny new one literally just across the road.

Anyway, we walked into, and round, the town, and had a lovely time!  There will be photospam on Facebook, You Have Been Warned!  Meanwhile:

So when we returned to the car park, I did a shopping and the Swan Whisperer had coffee, and then we headed on to our stop for tonight, in a Camping-Car park near a lake, which isn't flooded, although rather muddy!  The place where we had originally planned to spend the night is closed due to flooding, so we had to have a quick rethink.  I hope this place will be nice for a walk in the morning.  

Our drive wasn't as nice as it ought to have been, as I fell asleep and the Swan Whisperer didn't hear what the Satnav was saying above the radio programme that was playing (which was, for some reason, My Fault), so we went the wrong way, and then the Satnav wasn't quite clear and I was too sleepy, so we went the wrong way again, and ended up having to drive a good 30 miles extra down the motorway and back!  And then, before we got here, the heavens opened into a very, very heavy shower, we nearly had to stop!

The weather has actually been very good all day, apart from that shower and a couple of others, but it meant it was after 18:00 when we got here.  Anyway, we've parked up and are snug, and the Swan Whisperer cooked our Saturday sausage and mash, and I have spent the evening trying to sort out where we are going next, as we decided to change our plans and not go on Le Petit Train Jaune, as we should have been there today if we were to take advantage of the cheap fares the local rail authority runs on the first weekend of every month.  So we decided we'd go up in the motor home instead, and then bottled out of the idea of spending the night way above the snowline!  So I have spent what has felt like hours trying to sort out a route that avoids the floods in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and finding places to spend the night that are actually open!  The Swan Whisperer was trying to be helpful, but really, what I need is my laptop when I can have several different tabs open at once and cut back and forth between them.  Anyway, if he doesn't like what I've suggested, he can do it himself!

Early Spring holiday, 27 February 2026

Bernay, Eure

I was awake a bit in the night worrying about a Church issue, which can and will be resolved but not until next week.  Why does one worry about things one can't control?  Anyway, I decided to treat myself to another half-hour of sleep after the alarm went off and I had taken my first pill of the day - it was actually nearer 45 minutes!

The Swan Whisperer went for a run before breakfast, and it is as well he did, as the rain started almost as soon as he got back, and has only really stopped this evening. It was not a wide band of rain, but it was a long one - and we were driving down the length of it!  Before we set out, though, we went to Auchan where I did some shopping and the SW got diesel.  The only two things I have definitely forgotten this holiday are some lip balm (which I remedied in Auchan) and the little bottle of antibacterial washing-up liquid that I use to clean my dentures.  That isn't important, as I can use liquid soap instead, but it has reminded us that we need to buy washing-up liquid tomorrow!

We got away about 11:15 and drove on in the rain down a succession of motorways, stopping for lunch, and tackling Rouen. Why they don't build a proper motorway bypass of the city is beyond me - the Satnav's directions weren't totally clear and we took a wrong turning, and then  got stuck in trafic, although not badly, and the Satnav did get us out of trouble, but all the same....  a proper rocade or ring road would be nice!

Anyway, we finally arrived in Bernay about 16:30 and found the Camping-Car Park which is obviously a former campsite - and may, indeed, be used as such in the summer.  There are a few hard-standing pitches, which we are on one of, and seem very well found.  The Swan Whisperer went out for an explore and I cuddled up under my duvet and watched videos, and it is about to be supper time!

Look at the sunset from my bedroom window!

Early Spring Holiday, 26 February 2026

Calais, Pas-de-Calais

This week appears to  have been inordinately busy!  "Tired" doesn't really begin to cover it, and getting up at 06:00 this morning really didn't help!

I think the older we get, the longer it takes to get ready, and it was after 09:00 when we set off for Sussex.  A slow old drive, somehow every traffic light that could be red, was.  Actually, I think that is an exaggeration, but not by much.  However, we arrived by about 11:30, and the Swan Whisperer went to get the WoMo, and we spent the next hour transferring stuff from the car and putting it away, all except the SW's clothes and making the bed, which we did on the crossing.

After a delicious lunch of kedgeree and home-made cheesecake, we set of shortly before 14:00; I fell asleep as we joined the M23, and didn't really surface until we were almost at Le Shuttle!  We got on a crossing 30 minutes before our booked one, and it was very empty.  Just time for a quick cup of tea, and we were through and on the train.

When we arrived in Calais, we did a quick trip to Carrefour to get some vegetable matter to go with the cooked chicken thighs I'd bought for supper, and then up here to the Camping-Car Park.  I am annoyed because I folded up my rainbow shopping bag, which I love as it folds almost flat, and now I can't find it.  It has to be in the WoMo somewhere, but where?  Oh well, it will either turn up or it won't, and I do have others.

Meanwhile today's photo is of the rosemary bush outside no 6, which is looking lovely.  Spring is definitely arriving - there was a polyanthus in their garden that was already in flower, and lots of blossom and primroses and so on.  Such a pity the weather is much colder today, and we have the heating on low.  

The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show, 17 February 2026

In hindsight, of course, we should have gone by train to the NEC, but when your tickets include free parking, you don't really think of it!  However, the NEC is about 3 hours each way from London, and it made for a very long day in the car.

We set off at about 10:15 am, stopping for petrol and buying sandwiches when we were at it, and arrived at about 13:30.  We were able to catch a shuttle-bus up to the NEC itself, our car park being about 15 minutes' walk away.  Once there, we made ourselves comfortable, and then spent a very happy 3 hours or so wandering around the five halls devoted to the exhibition.

We are not in the market for a new motorhome, but it was nice to look round the new Pilotes, deciding what was nicer than our one, and what was less so ("But where do they put their clothes?" we asked, of one model!).   However, the joy of these occasions is the huge variety of stalls scattered along the sides of the halls, selling everything from accessories for a motor home or caravan (but we couldn't find a reversing camera, which is what we really wanted, and the only thing that might have been a stove-top oven, which I quite want (like this one, for instance) was eye-wateringly expensive.  In the end, we didn't buy very much - a new power-bank which came with a free screen protector for the Swan Whisperer's phone, and some glasses-cleaner (what, has that got to do with camping, I wonder - something we wondered about many of the offerings!).  We did, however, pick up quite a lot of brochures about France (which, one of the stall-holders told us, is pretty much completely under water right now - I hope we don't get too wet when we set off next week), and about television aerials/wi-fi boosters, as ours doesn't seem to work.

After a much-needed cup of tea, with a slice of cake (for the Swan Whisperer) and a flapjack for me, it was time to head home.  There was no sign of a shuttle-bus to our car park, so we walked back, and then it was a long, slow drive home.  I did sleep some of the way, but found this morning that it takes more than one night's sleep to recover from this level of exhaustion.  But it was great fun, and I'm glad we went.  Next year, if we go again, it will be by train!

Brittany Christmas Markets, 7 December 2025

Brixton, London

So we are home.  We got up fairly sharpish this morning, and headed to Auchan, where I did a Last Shop in France, and then headed over to the Eurotunnel terminal, where we were pleased to be offered a crossing half an hour earlier than booked.  But we nearly lost it, as we were sent to go through that horrible machine where you have to get out while they send your vehicle through the machine while you stand outside and it makes a horrible noise!  However, we just made the crossing by the skin of our teeth, and got back to the UK about 11:30 local time

And it was not only raining, but foggy with it - the most appalling weather!  But we were able to drive safely and with no hold-ups  we stopped at Clackett Lane to eat our lunch, and got to No 6 by about 14:30.  By the time it was all redd up, it was about 17:00, and we got home just before 19:00.  The weather, fortunately, has improved, although it was very windy when we arrived in London.

So that's it for the WoMo for the next few months.  We will be sleeping in it over Christmas, but after that, apart from much-needed servicing, it will be garage up until March.  We will have other adventures, though - watch this space.

Meanwhile, since I have taken no photos today, here is a picture of the back of the sweater.  I started it while waiting for the WoMo to be ready for us to leave on this holiday, and finished it this afternoon.  It will now go into hibernation while I knit a matinee jacket for my newest great-nephew to wear at his baptism in January. 

Brittany Christmas Markets, 6 December 2025

Blériot-Plage, Calais, France

We discovered that La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur had a Christmas market today, literally just behind our motor home! 

It didn't open until 10, so before that we went for a walk round the Parc de la Morelle, which we always enjoy.  It is neither as nice, nor as far, as the lakes at Cesson-Sevigné, but still enjoyable, none the less.  After that, the Swan Whisperer had a quick coffee, and then we popped next door to enjoy the festive atmosphere - which wasn't, very, as it was still very early!  There were several stalls outside, including one selling local apple products - cider, apple vinegar, various jellies, calvados and pommeau.  There might have been some spending going on, as the prices were incredibly reasonable, given the event.  There were more stalls inside the hall, although these were more of the handicrafts variety, and we didn't buy anything there, although I was rather tempted by a felt waistcoat.... 

Outside, we chatted to some human and canine representatives of Aquadogs Normandie; these are huge Newfoundland dogs who go into the water to rescue people in distress, wearing a distinctive harness with grab handles. 

 

Then it was time to go, and we headed on, trying to believe the Satnav that it knew best which was the quickest way.  We had a very enjoyable drive, actually, much of it not on the motorway, although we were on it a bit, and stopped at the Aire de la Baie de Somme for lunch.  We didn't go into the building, but to the part of the car park set aside for motorhome picnics.  The SW had a quick leg-stretch, and then it was on and on again until we finally reached the aire here in Calais.  

The Blériot-Plage Christmas Market is on this weekend, but it is a good 30 minutes' walk away, and it was raining, so we decided that one small market was enough.  However, after a cup of tea, we did set out again in the WoMo to drive round Calais and enjoy its Christmas lights.  And now back to the aire for the final night of our holiday.

Brittany Christmas Markets, 5 December 2025

La-Riviere-Saint-Sauveur, 5 December 2025

How is it Friday already?  This week has gone so fast, and tomorrow is our last full day!

This morning, the Swan Whisperer went and bought croissants and a baguette for our breakfasts, and after it he went for a short walk round the town. I, for some reason, fell asleep!

We weren't quite sure what we wanted to do today, but eventually decided to go to Camembert and see if we could buy some artisanal cheese from a dairy there. Then we would see, but probably end up in Falaise, as I needed to shop and we needed to buy gas.  As it happened, we drove past a supermarket where we could do both those two things not very long after we had set off, so we went straight to Camembert - only to find that the dairy had closed for the weekend at 12:30, and wasn't going to open again until Tuesday morning!  Bummer! Oh well.  So we ate our lunch in its car park, and then decided to drive at least as far as here - La Riviere-Saint-Sauveur - today, and then see whether we wanted to add an extra hour's drive to where I had originally intended for us to spend the night.  We decided we would rather stay here - there is a nice walk to go on in the morning, although it will be a very long drive from just south of Le Havre to Calais, and it would be nice to visit the Christmas Market in Blériot-Plage if there is time.  At that, there is one here this weekend, not at all far from the Camping-Car park, so maybe we could do that instead?  We'll see.

Meanwhile, I haven't taken any photographs today, supermarkets not being very photogenic affairs, but here is a photo of my eye drops bottle - as tonight is the VERY LAST drop to put in.  This journey started on 29 August - well, before that really, when I was first referred to Tommy's - and now, 5 December, it is finally OVER!  And I can see really well, especially when wearing my glasses, but I can also see well enough to read in bed without them, if I want to!

Brittany Christmas Markets, 4 December 2025

Condé-sur-Vire, Normandy, France

We are headed north again now, and, rather disappointingly, ended up going back up the same motorway we came down. We should have asked the Satnav to find us a different route.  However, that was later.

The Swan Whisperer went for a run this morning, and after breakfast, I went for a walk round the lakes - it is supposed to be 3k, but my smartwatch only registered 2.2k.  I think it is a bit slow! 

Anyway, I made sure of getting my heart rate up by playing martial music on my phone to walk to, which really does make such a difference - I am not good at walking fast without some sort of help!   And yes, I went the whole of the red route!

Our first port of call was supposed to be the local Carrefour, but we couldn't find anywhere to park, so while the SW was getting diesel, I decided to programme the Satnav to our destination for this evening, and added in a supermarket while we were at it.  We decided not to go to the aire I'd originally thought of, but to a Camping-Car Park in a nearby town, as that would have electricity and services, and the one I had chosen may well have locked its services out of use for the winter.  And we were really rather low on water, not having been able to get any yesterday.  The SW has topped up the tank with the 11 litre watering-can we keep for just such emergencies, and we will do a proper "vidanges" in the morning.

It had been a lovely sunny morning, but just as we got to the outskirts of Condé-sur-Vire, the heavens opened and there was a serious rainstorm, and it has rained on and off ever since.  We arrived here in time for a late lunch, and it really wasn't worth going much further today.   The SW did do a short leg-stretch in the rain, but I have stayed in the WoMo all afternoon!

Brittany Christmas Markets, 3 December 2025

Cesson-Sevigné, near Rennes, France

Very tired today, for some reason, so have done nothing except reading and knitting. We were unable to get water this morning as it appears to have been cut off due to road works outside the winery, but we think we have enough to do us. 

It was not a long drive today, so we decided to go via Châteaubriant, where there is a beautiful castle 

 The Swan Whisperer walked round it, and after lunch we drove up here, where we have been several times before, and he went for a hike. Tomorrow I shall walk round the lake here, such a lovely walk!

We have just had our Advent Bible Study, which was good, and are now about to have our final cup of tea! 

Brittany Christmas Markets, 2 December 2025

Vertou, near Nantes, France

After the storm, it was sort of a lovely morning, so after breakfast we went on another walk around Port-Louis, this time going along by the sea and the river, and then back through the town, by which time it was raining again! Today has definitely been sunshine and showers, either clear blue sky or else pouring with rain, but very little in between! 

After coffee, we used the services and headed off, stopping at an Intermarché to shop. The Swan Whisperer suggested we could go via Carnac, as it wasn't too far out of our way, so we did, and had our lunch parked up by one of the fields of menhirs, which you have to pay to actually go in, but can see from outside (just as well, really, when you come to think about it, otherwise you would get gangs of youths with cans of spray paint!). 

After lunch, we drove on to this place, which is a wine growers not far from Nantes. It is France Passion, but as well as parking, you get services and electricity in exchange for a wine tasting. A very copious wine tasting, I should add! Both of us are a tad light-headed now. Anyway, we have bought two bottles of a very nice, very dry white wine, a 5l box of rosé and two 3l boxes of grape juice, also very nice! The latter will be donated to the Church Christmas party on the 13th. There were several other kinds of red, white and rosé, including sparkling, but this were our favourites. 

Brittany Christmas Markets, 1 December 2025

Port-Louis, Brittany

There was nobody about at the cactus farm this morning, either, so we softly and silently vanished away once we had had breakfast (boiled eggs this morning) and cleared up. As it is 1 December, I broke out my Christmas socks for the first time this year. 

Our first port of call was going to be an Intermarché, but the Lidl was nearer, so I went there - no real coupons, like they have in the UK, but plenty of offers if you had the app. They also do on-line shopping, as they do in Germany, but that hasn't made it to the UK as yet. 

However, the Swan Whisperer needed milk, and Lidl in France only sells UHT, which is fine for yoghurt, but he won't touch it in his tea or coffee. So we did go to the Intermarché, and I finally found my favourite black pepper Boursin, which I have been looking for ever since I got to France. Also some Kouign Amann, which is kind of the local equivalent of lardy cake, and very good it is, too! 

We then set off towards Port-Louis, stopping for an early, and light, lunch as the SW felt rather sleepy. When we got here, we had real trouble finding the aire, but finally found the local campsite, which has now been taken over by Camping-Car Park's ever-expanding empire. It is actually next door to the CCP we had been meaning to go to, but it's fine. The only difference is that it isn't hard-standing, and as it is rather wet, the SW is worried that we will stick.... I don't expect we will. 

We had a cup of tea, and some more kouign amann, and then set off for a walk round the town, which was rather wet and extremely windy! I don't think there is a named storm going on, but it is nearly as windy as if there were! So we didn't stay out all that long, as although it was exhilarating, it was very tiring to walk against it! So back to the WoMo and snugged in for the night! I am making a sort of chicken curry/casserole for our supper, and then there will be fruit and maybe a tub of café liégeoise for pudding. 

Brittany Christmas Markets, 30 November

Guipavas, Brittany, France

It has been lovely and sunny all day. We had a leisurely morning, and at about 10:30 we used the services and set off to the local P&R, which was really nice, and positively welcomed motorhome! You took a ticket to enter, and this also entitled you to 24 hours' free travel on local buses in Saint-Malo. The bus timetable was easily available on-line, and we had about 20 minutes, so the Swan Whisperer had a quick cup of coffee, and we arrived at the bus stop just as the bus did. 

The bus terminus at the other end of the line was just by the Old Town and the Christmas markets, and we spent a lovely morning walking around both. We explored the Old Town first, which is sort of within a walled fortress, and then walked back down to the harbour where the Christmas Market was. By then it was pretty much lunchtime, so we treated ourselves to a galette and mulled cider from a stall, and very good it was, too. Not quite as good as the one we had in Caen two days ago, but not bad! 

When we had finished eating, it was nearly time for the next bus back to the P&R, so we caught that, and ate ice-cream for our pudding before we used the services and set off to drive here, which is near Brest. It is a France Passion place, but there was nobody around, so we have parked up and will introduce ourselves in the morning. They grow cacti, of all things, and I gather one can have a guided tour of the greenhouses. We shall see. 

There has just been a sharp shower of rain, and I am not sure what the forecast for the next few days is. I hope we will have as much sunshine as we did today, which was really lovely, and not too cold, considering we had both forgotten to put on our hats! Photos on Facebook, as usual. 

Brittany Christmas Markets, 29 November

Les Ilots, St-Malo, Brittany

There was a huge band of rain crossing Northern France and Southern England this morning - I gather it scuppered our usual tai chi class in the park, and it certainly made our morning rather unpleasant.  First we couldn't get out of the Camping-Car park, but when I entered the code the person on the phone gave me, the barrier suddenly stopped sulking and worked, although the person behind was obviously still having trouble by the time we had used the services (outside the barrier) and were ready to leave.  When we had arrived the previous day, the barrier had been completely broken off, probably by someone who had got fed up of it, but by the time we got back from our visit to the town, someone had put it back.

Our first port of call was a local supermarket, where I did some shopping and the Swan Whisperer tried to get gas, but they didn't have the kind we used; however, we called in at an Intermarché in Villedieu-les-Poeles en route and were able to get some there.  We had to wait, though, as the kiosk was closed until 14:00, so we had some lunch while we waited, and then there was no problem except for the rain!

We asked the Satnav to take us on a more scenic route to Les Ilots, despite the rain, and it was very pleasant driving along the coast, although rather slow, as it was village after village, so 50 kph, with random blasts of 30 kph, all the way.  However, we eventually arrived at this motorhome park, which is not a Camping-Car park, although about the same price and with the same amenities.  There is, however, a staffed reception, which is nice.  And the band of rain had passed over, so I am hoping that tomorrow's weather will be better.  The forecast is for it to be colder, though.

The original plan was to have been to get a bus to Saint-Malo to their Christmas Market, but when push came to shove, I felt really tired and slightly unwell, so the Swan Whisperer went for a long walk - and took some lovely photos, two of which are reproduced below - while I knitted and then rested on the bed while he got our usual Saturday sausages and mash!

Brittany Christmas Markets, 28 November 2025

Caen, Normandy, France

We didn't hurry all that much this morning, but nevertheless were away by 10:00.  We drove down to Caen via the motorway, and were interested - or startled, perhaps, is the more appropriate term - to discover that the A13 now has what they call "free-flowing" tolls; in other words, they have removed the toll booths, and just pick up ANPR; you have 72 hours then to pay your toll, although if you have a Liber-T pass, as we do, that is also picked up so the tolls are already paid.  At least, we hope so.  I don't know how well this will work in practice, but it is certainly a great time-saver.

We arrived in Caen shortly before 13:00, after a hideously wet drive,

and decided to lunch out.  Google Maps showed us there was a creperie about 10 minutes; walk away, and we went there.  The Swan Whisperer had the day's special - I forget what it was - but I was intrigued to see that they had what they called "Galettes burgers" all named after the D-Day beaches, so of course I had to get the Gold one, didn't I, since my father landed on Gold Beach a few days after D-Day in 1944!  It was delicious, but far too much - two fried eggs, a burger, and various bits underneath - I think onions, cheese and tomato, and bacon, too.  And a bowl of lettuce. 

I ate half of my helping, and the Swan Whisperer demolished the rest of it, although I did leave some salad.  We had cider to drink.  And very good it was, too, but we only wanted coffee after that.  The waiter was so nice, and told me all about his English friend who had driven one of the barges across the Channel, as I'd mentioned that the Gold was because of Daddy.

By this time, the rain was away, and, indeed, the sun came out. We caught a bus into Caen - memo to self: do try to find out how the buses work and how you buy tickets before you try to catch one.  Fortunately the driver was very patient and showed us what to do.  Basically you get issued a card on which he or she programmes the number of tickets you want, and then you validate them on a machine.  So coming back we got new tickets loaded on to the same card, which must be a great saving of paper!

Anyway, we got off the bus in the centre of Caen, and had a lovely walk round the centre; we didn't get as far as the Cathedral, but we saw the Eglise Saint-Jean, and wondered how badly it had been damaged in the war.  Sadly, although there were posters explainng the damage and the reconstruction, they were in a side chapel, which was full of people praying a rosary, so we couldn't go in to look.  

After that, we walked on to the Place de la République, where the Christmas Market was busy setting up; it doesn't open until tomorrow, but some stalls were selling things already, although most weren't.  We agreed it was rather nice to wander around without feeling obliged to buy something, even if only mulled wine!  

We then headed on further towards the Castle, wandering down at least one lovely alley en route; I was beginning to flag by then, so we didn't go up to the Castle itself, but walked round it until we found the bus stop that would take us back to the campsite.  After a much-needed cup of tea, the SW decided he would go out for another walk, picking up bread for supper on his way back, and I knitted for a bit, and then did part of the tai chi form before settling down to write this!  More photos on Facebook, as usual.

October Break, 12 October 2025

 Home.

I had set the alarm for 06:00 this morning, and we got straight up, showered, dressed, and had a quick cup of tea; we were away before 7:00!  We did stop at a services to have breakfast - and as said services had a McDonald's, we enjoyed one of their delicious breakfasts!  I had a sausage and egg McMuffin, and the Swan Whisperer had a bacon and egg one.

The drive turned into a bit of a nightmare, though, as we think we turned where we ought not, as we got confused by road works, and this added 30 minutes to our journey.  And then it didn't want us to go on the M27, probably because there was a huge tailback on it, but instead of sensibly taking us on the A272 and down through Lavant and Goodwood, the way I used to go to school, it took us on all sorts of tiny roads, and then on to the A27 before Chichester, all those dreadful roundabouts!  We ended up not getting to No 6 until just after noon.

We did quite a lot of the sorting out and then had lunch with my mother and sister, and the latter's partner, and then after lunch my older nephew and his family turned up, including the latest addition, 12-day-old Rowan!  It was lovely to see them, and to meet Rowan as well as the two older boys, who we have, of course, seen occasionally.  

Then it was time to go - we wanted to get back in daylight, or at least get the first part of the journey done.  And nearly 2 hours later we were home, and had to unload the car and unpack, and then get the first loads of washing on.... 

October break, 11 October 2025

Heightington, Shropshire

The Swan Whisperer went for a short run this morning before breakfast, along the Lancaster canal! After breakfast, we both went down to explore a bit, and saw varies narrow boats,

as well as trains on the WCML in the background, one of which must have been a special, although I don't seem to have any photos of it. 

We had a fairly long drive down today, and went a rather more scenic route via Chester and Shrewsbury, which meant we didn't have to negotiate the Birmingham system. We arrived at the Swan Whisperer's brother-in-law's place about 15:30, and had a cup of tea with him and his son who popped in later. Then we all drove down to our niece's place, where we are parked up for the night. Their local church had its Harvest Festival service this evening, so we went to that with them and then back to theirs for a meal, which was lovely. And so to bed, as we have a very early start in the morning! 

October break, 10 October 2025

Claughton-on-Brock, Preston, Lancashire

We had to start heading south this morning, but before we did so, we the Swan Whisperer went for a walk around the area. It was low tide, so not very beautiful, but I still took a couple of photos! 

It was about 11:00 when we set off, as we had to use the services before we could go anywhere. But once the grey was empty, the water full, and the loo empty, we set off. 

Our first port of call was Tesco's in Dumfries, which we first went to many years ago when we were at a skating competition there and then took a couple of days' break afterwards. I hope I won't need to shop again until we get home, although we might have to get milk. Once I had shopped, we had lunch, and then set off on the long, dreary route down the A75 and M6. I slept a lot of the way - I haven't been knitting lately because of my eyesight, although I probably could again now, and I can't read in a moving car, so there's nothing much else to do. 

We arrived here at this very nice Certificated Location (tiny campsite on someone's farm) at about 5:00. The owner was very friendly and welcoming, and showed us where things were, and made change for the EHU, which only takes coins. The SW went out for a walk to discover the Lancaster canal and the nearby railway line - I hope to do so in the morning, but we have another long drive, and are meeting family, so mustn't be too long. Also, we have to be away by 11:00.

October break, 9 October 2025

Gairlieston, Dumfries & and Galloway

This morning after breakfast I stewed up the plums and cooking apples I'd bought the other day - quite delicious, even if I do say so myself! We didn't set off until just before 11:00, only narrowly missing having to pay a late fee! But we didn't have far to go, and wanted to make a bit of a day of it. 

First port of call was a small Morrissons where I bought some stuff for lunch and some flowers for our hostess this evening. Then we headed south to the Irish sea, passing Ailsa Craig,

until we got to Cairnryan, where we had hoped to stop for lunch. However, the picnic area we had planned to stop at boringly had height restrictions, so that was a bust. I suppose they don't want lorries taking up the car park, fair enough, but they might think of us poor motorhome! So we headed a little further south, and on the outskirts of Stranraer found a nice place to park up just outside a static caravan park, and had lunch there.

It was not much further to drive until we got to our campsite, about 20 minutes south of Wigtown, where we parked up and had a cup of tea before heading out again back to Wigtown to visit the Swan Whisperer's sister's widower's brother's widow, who is a dear friend.

One of her daughters (she has 9 children; 5 boys and at least 4 girls, although one of the girls died as a teenager, and 19 grandchildren ranging in age from 30 to 10 months old. No great-grandchildren as yet, though!) was there, and cooked us a delicious roast chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes. One of her sons called in later on and it was good to see him, too. We had a very happy few hours with them, and then headed back down to the campsite for the night. After a very wet morning, it is a lovely evening, and the moon is just past full!