We are off!! At last!! We had decided to drive to Spain a) because Chris wanted to see his brother in Chassignolles, France b) his cousin Lynn was in Montpellier and c) hire cars have suddenly gone ridiculously expensive in Spain!
We left early so that we had chance to visit another of his brothers in Lewes and duly arrived at the ferry port, Newhaven. Uneventful crossing – it was just so nice being back on a ferry! Watched the sunset over the sea just before we docked at Dieppe where we drove to Ibis Budget Hotel (secure parking with hotel if booked 10 Euros) 124611 -124808 197miles
Left hotel and had uneventful drive to Bonneval where we parked up outside the church – only to discover from the tourist office that we only had an hours free parking! Wandered around and found the canal ( and new parking space!) as well as the old abbey ( now a psychiatric hospital!) Walked the whole circuit of canals, taking in the old ruins and castle walls, as well as the old houses
On to Chateaudun ( after shopping and diesel!) and booked into the Baobar Le Saint Louis hotel - location great. Room – not so good – basic to say the least..and the TV didnt work ( only it did in the morning. As Chris found another TV remote!!)!!! Anyway, found the Tourist Office and followed the trail around the town that took in all the views of the river, chateau and old town, as well as a few of the old churches! Tried to find something to eat with difficulty! It seems you either have a Plat du Jour at lunchtime or you can forget eating until about 7.00pm! Had an Aperol spritzer ( as you do!!) to fill in the time! Before a wonderful meal at Le Bistro! Back then to our ‘wonderful hotel room!!! Miles 149
A cloudy/ sunny day passing loads of lavender fields (all cut), sunflower fields (all dead!) until we came to Beaugancy. Stopped to stretch our legs and had a quick look at the Chateau and the Bridge – it must be a famous
Carried on, loads of big skies and flat landscapes until we reached the forest area with its huge ‘cat. pylons. Long straight roads took us further south until we drove past the Gorges of Soile with the Chateau Rocher, that unfortunately is now a ruin! Then past Clermont Ferrand and up the mountains with its pretty villages, views, and pine forests until we reached Chassignolles about 6.00pm ish! Had a good catch up with Chris brother and then had a lovely meal – melon with mousse, followed by chillie beans, main coursed of guinea fowl, and an almond biscuit with home made ice cream. All good fine dining courses made mostly with ingredients from his garden! Washed down with a couple of bottles of organic wine! What could be better! Miles 260
A relaxing day!! We had offered to help pick the produce from the garden, and Manon and his wife and little boy called Jean were up for the day to pick apples so we did that first!! 160 kilos of apples later – he was happy as he said it
would produce 90 -100 litres of cider!! After that it was down to pick the courgettes for dinner this evening (There is no end to it Paul!!!) as well as quite a few that had turned into large marrows!!
Had an omelette for lunch ( eggs from the chickens, mushrooms picked from the forest by a neighbour!) and a salad, then as Peter had to go shopping went to the Church in the Square and explored the three roads that went into the village (it didnt take long!!) before walking to the cemetery. As it was a lovely sunny afternoon, albeit chilly, we went back to the Auberge for a chill out afternoon before dinner at ½ 7! Courgette soup, followed by Salmon and vegetables, and then for main course we had duck! Sampled three different chesses, before our pudding of plums and grape crumble!! Mileage 0
We had the first frost of the year overnight but woke up to ice on the car and a lovely sunny day. Fergus and his wife shot off early as they had a long drive back to Switzerland and Peter was going to Italy for a
few days, so he was off by 9.30am! We were on the road by 10.
