Early spring holiday 2024, 8 March

Courtonne-La-Meudrac, Pays d'Auge.

Although I like Le Mans, I was feeling really tired this morning - and we have been there before - so decided to pass on having another look round it. There was a boulangerie a couple of hundred metres away, so the Swan Whisperer got a demi-baguette and some croissants, which were nice. We then emptied our grey and the loo (using the contents of our hot-water bottles to rinse the loo, as it really wasn't worth spending €8 just for that and a top-up of water! Our route out of town did take us up the hill and past the cathedral, but though, as which was a bonus.

I really couldn't think of anything I wanted to buy today, other than perhaps begin to collect stuff to take home, so passed on that, too, and basically drowsed off for awhile. The Swan Whisperer decided that we were going to visit a chateau en route, at Saint-Germain-de-Livet, but when we got there - down tiny roads we were thankful not to have et another car on - it was closed until 1 April, so we came away.

We arrived here at Courtonne-La-Meudrac at about 15:00, and were not best pleased to find most of the aire taken up with parked cars, when it specifically said Camping-cars only. However there was a space, so we grabbed it, wondering whether nobody could read, but it turns out there was a funeral at the church and so the church car park was closed, so those who wanted to attend the funeral didn't really have much choice.

The Swan Whisperer went for a walk, and I read and watched a couple of YouTube videos, and tried not to doze off.

Later, I went to investigate the local restaurant, but found that they only serve food at midday, and are just a bar in the evening. So I have had to cook (courgette and mushroom risotto, which is smelling lush just now!).

However, the restaurant gets bread delivered in the morning, and I have ordered a baguette and two croissants to be picked up after 08:00 tomorrow. Meanwhile, the funeral party has gone, and the two remaining places have filled up! This seems a very pretty hamlet - I don't think it's more than that. 

Early spring holiday 2024, 7 March

Le Mans, Sarthe.

The Swan Whisperer went for a run this morning, and after breakfast we both walked round the lake, which was a shorter distance than it felt! A lot of the path was very wet, and my navy boots are now rather muddy.

When we got back to the WoMo, I had a second cup of coffee while the SW had his, and after using the services we set off for Le Mans. It was just as quick to go cross country than to use the toll motorways, so we did, stopping for lunch and then for the SW to cope with an emergency in one of the Circuit's manses that has been let out, although what they thought he could do from France I don't know. Anyway, I think they've sorted it for now. 

This is the third time we have been to Le Mans; the first time was on our very first motorhome trip and the aire was on the other side of the river; then that aire closed, and we had to use the car park where we now are, but there were no dedicated places for motorhomes, and no services provide. Now there is a small area dedicated to motor homes, and there are services, although they are quite expensive so we will probably only use them to empty our grey water. We could empty the loo, but not rinse it. 

The Swan Whisperer went for a short walk, and I hope to join him in the morning, although it is very steep up to the old city. Still, there is a free shuttle bus that runs all over it, so once we are there, it shouldn't be a problem.

Meanwhile, today I saw daisies growing in various patches of grass, for the first time this year, and there are some lovely flowers just outside our habitation door. Spring is coming, even if it isn't here yet! 

Early spring holiday 2024, 6 March

La Celle Saint Avant, Indre et Loire

I don't seem to have got out of the WoMo all day, which is very wrong of me, I suppose, but I appear to need a rest day. I had been going to go over to the supermarket just up the road from last night's campsite, but we didn't need milk, and I forgot that I should have quite liked to have looked for one of the delicious salads they make here - chickpeas, perhaps, or peas.

Now, if I had been thinking clearly, I would have suggested that, instead of coming here tonight, we checked What's Halfway to find a place more directly in line with tomorrow night's planned stopover, as we had gone so far out of our way yesterday. But I didn't think of it, which meant we had a very long drive today. Having said that, much of it was scenic and enjoyable.

We stopped after about an hour for the Swan Whisperer to have coffee (I have mine with my breakfast) and then found a car-park somewhere for lunch. I made a large bowl of salad, including both chickpeas and sweetcorn, which was delicious!

Then it was another three hours or so of driving until we got here, which is actually a very nice place indeed. There is a lake, which I think the Swan Whisperer has gone to explore, and I shall do so, too, in the morning. 

Early spring holiday 2024, 5 March

Donzenac`

We were actually supposed to be in Niort tonight, but I gather from Park4Night that much of the aire there is closed due to flooding. So the Swan Whisperer took over planning, and decided that we would go a little back on ourselves and drive down the Dordogne to this village, not far from Brive-la-Gaillarde.

But first, he went for a walk and I pottered around the church (it was locked, so I couldn't go in) and the enormous cemetery attached to it. I thought of going into the village, but it didn't look particularly special, so I didn't bother. 

We thought at first we had made a terrible mistake, as really as far as lunchtime the road just went through industrial estate after commercial centre after industrial estate, with roundabouts every 500 metres or so. Horrible, and very dull.

After we had stopped at one of the many supermarkets we passed, for me to shop and the Swan Whisperer to have his coffee, it began to rain. And it rained. Threw it down! Really nasty.

But when we stopped for lunch in a village called Lilande, the rain stopped, the sun came out again, and the place where we had stopped was absolutely lovely!

As, indeed, was the afternoon drive, although I did fall asleep and woke up again before the last 35 km which ended up being on the motorway! Once we got here, it was raining again (there had been some very splendid rainbows en route), to the point that it got really dark and we had to turn the lights on. 

It did clear up a bit later, and the Swan Whisperer went for a walk into the village, which has a mediaeval centre which I should love to see, but, alas, it is up a very steep hill, and well over a kilometer away from here, so it won't be possible. We will drive through in the morning and see if there is anywhere to stop while we are there, but unlikely. I think I shall get my exercise walking to the nearest supermarket, which is about as close as Tesco's to home! 

Early spring holiday 2024, 4 March

Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Gironde. 

If you are ever planning to visit Moissac, don't do so on a Monday. Everything, but everything is closed! Bakeries, cafés, the markets, you name it, it's closed on a Monday! 

Moissac is, however, a lovely little town. I spent a very happy fortnight there at Easter 1970, which is a very long time ago.

It was a lovely morning, though - thick fog first thing when the Swan Whisperer went for a run, but then that burned off, and we had a far more pleasant walk than yesterday - the wind had dropped and we were warmly wrapped up. We walked around the town, looking at the house where I had spent my holiday, and at the school that my hostess attended at the time, and I spent two very dull days at! We also looked at the Abbey Church, where I think - I wouldn't swear to it, but I think - I attended an Easter Vigil that year. 

i simply can't make it not rotate my photos! 

Our first port of call after that was a hypermarket just out of town - these are open seven days a week, of course, although limited hours on a Sunday - where I shopped although I forgot to buy eggs, fizzy water and mixed herbs! Actually, I did remember the mixed herbs, but was tired by then and didn't really want to go looking for them. Anyway, they are on the list for tomorrow. 

By the time I'd done my shopping, it was lunchtime, so we had that and then we drove towards Bordeaux, quite a lot of it on the motorway. I remember us going on to the motorway, and I remember the Swan Whisperer saying he was going to stop to make himself a coffee, but I don't remember leaving the services, nor do I remember coming off the motorway!

I woke up with about 50 kilometres still to go to this little village, where we are parked up outside a cemetery. It is free, and there is no electricity, but there are services that we need to pay for if we decide to use them. It is raining. Again. 

Early spring holiday 2024, 3 March

Moissac, Tarn-et-Garonne, Occitanie

It rained. All night. And it was very windy in parts, too. In fact, it may even have snowed a bit - certainly the tops of the hills were covered in a thin layer of fresh snow. I do hope that it rained at Mas Alart, too!

The Swan Whisperer went and bought croissants and Sunday patisseries (really, one between us was enough, so the other can live to fight another day) and we didn't hurry over our breakfast, so it was nearly 11 by the time we had used the services and headed on.

 Whereupon I discovered the hard way that one of the skylights leaks, and sent a gush of water nearly over my person (quite over it until I moved!) and all over the floor. We have treated the skylight with masking tape (it is the one at the front that doesn't open) and hope it will hold until we can get a proper repair job done back in the UK.

We had a long drive today - the Swan Whisperer decided we wouldn't go on the motorway, and I'm glad he did, as apart from a long and boring stretch on the outskirts of Toulouse when it was roundabout after roundabout after commercial centre after commercial centre, it was really a lovely drive.

We are still in Occitanie, but now in Moissac, where I spent a wonderful fortnight on a French exchange in (I think) 1970. We have been back since, but not for some years. 

We both needed a walk, so went into town along the canal and back along the river, but we should have worn hats and I wish I'd had a warmer coat on, as it was bitterly cold, especially going, with the wind in our faces. The Swan Whisperer said he didn't want a long walk today - I'm really not surprised!

Now we are back in the WoMo and waiting for the Lent Zoom service to start now that we actually have the details (we couldn't find them last week!). It is raining again, so I hope it won't be so heavy as to drown out the minister. There is, paradoxically, also a beautiful sunset! 

Early spring holiday 2024, 2 March

Quillan, Occitanie. 

I would absolutely hate to depend on alcohol - or anything else for that matter - to ensure a good night's sleep, but after that wine-tasting yesterday, I slept very well indeed! Not that I'd had a huge amount, at least, I don't think so, but there were rather a lot of bottles to try... Anyway, I was absolutely fine this morning, but didn't hurry out of bed.

We were in no rush, and the Swan Whisperer went for a run. I did go back into the shop just before we left, to say goodbye and to buy some olive oil, but they had run out of it.The harvest was pretty poor last year because of the drought, and they are longing for rain. 

Our first port of call was Lidl, except that I forgot to buy eggs and the SW had to run back to kindly get some for me. Got various other bits and bobs, though, and a couple of things on their coupons. Still need to buy tea and mixed herbs (which I did look for in Lidl, but to no avail; I got some salad seasoning, though, which is always good). 

After we had driven to St-Cyprien and north along the coast, so pretty, and carefully avoided both the motorway and Perpignan, our drive today was mostly along the very lovely D117, which varies between good, straight, fast road, windy hairpins, and cut into the rockface! Great fun, and you don't get bored. Mind you, I did sleep for some of it after we had stopped in a random layby for lunch. 

We are parked up in a Camping-Car Park in Quillan, our first choice, which was in Limoux, where we have been to before, appears to be closed just now.

 Here is good, not too far from the town, which I expect we shall explore tomorrow, and there is WiFi, although it is rather unreliable. I watched a whole episode of Great British Menu before I realised I was on data! Oh well, I still have plenty left and it renews next Sunday. It is unlimited in the UK, but only 25 Gb when travelling. Still, that seems plenty, unless one wishes to watch television all evening, which I don't.