Oldies On Tour

Friday 12th August

After a rather disturbing family ‘phone call we packed up Rosie and headed off; destination U.K.   our normal route is to head north through Spain and catch a ferry from Bilbao, Santander or occasionally, Gijon, but alas no availability so it’s off to France and the channel ports.    Wait a minute, Andrew is in Frejus with Elton for the weekend so why not detour that way, and that’s what we did.

Friday morning after Christine had her “nails” done we hit the road around 1130am, straight onto the motorway at Los Montesinos, “pedal to the metal”, Frejus here we come.   We were slightly apprehensive as we hadn’t used Rosie before but fully confident she would be a good girl.

Travelling mid August in the exhaustive heat was bad enough but the traffic was unbelievable, and nearly every car had a top box; holiday-makers arriving or returning, but clogging up the motorways and service stations!!!!!   We suspect this was the Dutch, Belgiums and other northern europeans “their staycation”!!    The other issue at the top of our minds was LPG; we had tanks fitted but couldn’t find a service station that had an LPG pump and when we did, they had none!!!   At least our new generator worked well and whatever we went without, Christine still could boil her kettle and make her tea🥰🥰🥰

100-kms short of Barcelona we pulled into a service station and found a spot to stop over, not the quietest mind you with commercial vehicles running their fridges all night but acceptable.

Saturday 13th August

After a very hot and noisy night we had our breakfast and hit the road, even though it was only 0830am, traffic was heavy and passing Barcelona was bumper to bumper at 💯 KPH; good fun!!!   Add to all this, we were still looking for LPG so drove through most service stations along the motorway, and they are numerous but non selling what we want!!  We resigned ourselves to buying it in France as it is probably used more there when suddenly we drove into “another” service station and we were spoiled for choice, they had about 6-LPG pumps, wow, another tick in the box.  Our plan now was for one last stop in Jonquera, the last service station in Spain; might as well take our last chance advantage of the “generous” Spanish rebate on fuel!  Arriving at the service station, with traffic backing up on the motorway and crawling very slowly, we were confident that after we had filled up and had a spot of ‘elevenses”, the motorway would be clear.

Our “woes” started here.    There were about 6/7 cars queueing for each side of the pump islands and here, there are about 6-islands so around 50-cars all trying to get fuel with more joining this queue by the minute.  Several cars didn’t bother and drove across the pavement to get going.   We had time on our side so kept creeping forward as a car left.   Like many garages in Spain one has to go into the shop, register their car and which pump they are drawing fuel from.  This in itself is a painful time wasting exercise, especially these days with sophisticated numberplate recognition available but that wasn’t the end of it, oh no, they couldn’t take credit cards👹👹👹👹👹 and folk who had filled their tanks were scratching around for cash whilst leaving their cars on the pumps!!!

After the best part of a wasted hour we got to the font of the queue but knowing we had zero cash, just drove off and before you ask, there was no cash machine available!!!   Oh well we’ll just have to fill in France!!!

When we got going we hit the motorway “car-park”, far from easing, it was worse and we drove bumper to bumper along with cars with every European number plate the last 8-kms in Spain and the first 15-kms in France at an average pace of a “heavily-pregnant-snail”, another couple of hours lost!    The hold up turned out to be, what looked like a minor RTA in front of the French Toll Road booths!!!   At last we’re off now and hopefully we can pull back a little time; no, wrong again we kept getting held up, even on the peaje; so slow this journey and no discount of the charges for the inconvenience; just not our day.

  Probably the one bright spot in the day was hearing police sirens coming from behind, well it sounded like police sirens but they turned out to be Fire fighting vehicles, probably 40 in total but once the last one had gone, we tucked in behind and had clear passage for a bit, yeah!!!

We are due to meet up with Andrew and Elton tomorrow so decided to take a short detour and stop at a vineyard we know in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and enjoy a bottle or two but no, time had run out and we would have arrived after they closed so plan “x” came into play.  We found another vineyard that allowed overnight parking not far from Montpelier so quickly jotted their address into the ‘phone and headed into the mountains that run along the Mediterranean.  

    On the way up we passed acres and acres of burnt out forest fires, the land was so scorched one wonders if it will ever recover and as the area was so large, most of France’s firefighters must have been employed!! Perhaps the fire fighting appliances we’d seen earlier were the same ones!

Languedoc is not our first choice of wine region but hopefully going straight to the Château we won’t be disappointed, anyway we’ll give it our best shot!!!!  The route to get to the vineyard was interesting and Christine was hanging on as we drove along the narrow and rough road.   I really must get a “truck” GPS that takes size and height into account, this was not a suitable road, still we arrived at the “Clos de L’Amandaie”  in a village called Aumelas. 

Naturally our first port of call was the vineyard shop for some “dégustation” before buying, so far so good, the second one we tried hit the spot so bought a case to go on with but shock, horror, as we were walking out of the shop we were stopped, very apologetically admittedly, by a lovely lady and told we couldn’t stay over night as they had a big wedding function tonight; bleep bleep: “and” we’d spent a fair amount of money!!!!!   Anyway we were invited to join them in their car and taken to see an alternative overnight parking place.   During  the 2-minute drive we discovered our host was Philip, was the sixth generation of the family vineyard business, and his wife Stephanie, the English speaker who together took over the “torch” in 2002.

The alternative spot was fine but before heading back they showed us the way to the ancient castle “up-on-the-hill”, they suggested we may like to take a stroll later: hhhhmmmm a definite “no”; too far, too steep, to hot!!, so they took us to see three of their plots growing the vines but due to the lack of rainfall, they looked rather “off-colour”; I think they had a number of prayer mats out for rain.   They told us about the two main grape varieties they grow and said how lucky they had only suffered minor fire damage recently, having vines growing in a number different locations, they were luckier than most.

Once “deposited” back at Rosie and our good-byes said, we headed to our new overnight stop; a very large, parched area, probably the village green in normal times but all to ourselves.   

Their website is worth a visit on their link:-   http://www.closdelamandaie.com/

The village of Aumelas boasts a medieval castle up-on-the-hill but little else, other than numerous plots of vines growing.

We were spoilt for choice when it came to parking Rosie but after much discussion settled for the evening and after dinner played crib before heading for another ‘hot” night.         Me-thinks an air conditioner may be the next thing on the list!!!; however we were for a surprise in the night, it rained😁😁😁, not before time looking around this part of France!!!

Sunday 14th August

We were away early, even before breakfast as we had no way of knowing what the motorway traffic had in store for us.    Fortunately we didn’t have to repeat the way we arrived yesterday afternoon, this morning we headed straight into Montpelier and onto the peage, so far so good, so soon stopped for fuel, breakfast and diesel.   To coin a famous phrase “I don’t believe it”; the guy in front struggled to get his pump to work and eventually he finally moved forward, but that wasn’t the end of it.   The car in front of us who had been watching,  tried as well and he was forced to move forward as he was unsuccessful!   All this took up valuable time but what was worse, we couldn’t have moved to another pump island as the service station was so busy.

After fuelling ourselves and Rosie we hit the road again and have to say, though heavy traffic it was generally moving at a fast pace which meant we arrived at the planned time for lunch.   After the previous days, this one was a doddle.      To be continued…………..

Saturday 18th June contd.

…………………. After an uneventful drive we arrived and as usual we were greeted like long-lost-relatives;  covid again got in the way, as we usually have their two boys over for a Spanish treat in their school holidays.

This afternoon and evening was all about catching up though this evening they introduced us to “their” rules for “Phase-Ten”!    We started soon after dinner and only got about 25% through the game before it was their bed time; part two tomorrow.

Sunday 19th June

This morning we headed off to have lunch and then visit the beautiful and elegant “château de Sully sur Loire” sitting on its man made island surrounded by a rather green moat.   But first, “Restaurant des Artes”  for an early lunch, well early by our standards, but normal here in France.   

Today followed the earlier days, very hot weather and after lunch at excellent French restaurant, we headed to the château to begin the tour.   The main party strolled on ahead of Tobin and I, my knee was giving me real gip today but to our horror there were stairs everywhere and no consideration for less fit folk and the clerks did not “commend” this for us, my knee and Christine’s hip joint; I rather think the two boys were silently pleased this was a no go!!!!   So another stroll back to the cars in the heat.

Back at base and after a snack this evening, round two of “Phase-Ten” began.   The competitiveness between “certain players” was palpable, still just as things were getting “tasty”, and with school tomorrow it was bedtime for the boys.   Part three tomorrow!!!

There then followed a few hands of crib between the four of us before it was our time.   The “Riley” household rises rather too early for our taste, what with the early start for Mike and followed still at some ghastly hour, the two boys leave, still they were very quiet.

Monday  20th June

Today being a normal workday we decided to make ourselves scarce and head into Orleans, on the tram and be ”grockles” for the day.

Our trip into Orleans was “interesting” to say the least.   Mike had given us directions on Sunday for the tram stop.  This morning Catriona gave us instructions to the same tram stop, however, the crucial junction was described differently by both so when we arrived at the junction we debated.    Christine said left whilst I said straight on, and that’s where we headed. Eventually, after what seemed an eternity I looked on Google maps and clocked two icons depicting a stop on each side of the road up ahead, so off we went but on arrival noticed there were no tram rails and two bus stops.  By this time it was a grovel to Catriona and after describing and sending a short video of where we were, the words she uttered “blimey, you’re right up there!!, completely the wrong place”.  “OK I’ll send Zander to collect and take you to the tram stop”,  next minute we see Zander running up the road.   He was off school as he had been poorly in the night, his loss, our gain!!!!

Arriving at the tram stop and with Zander’s help we bought a couple of day passes and jumped on the first tram.    On advice we decided to get off on the opposite side of the Loire and walk back over the bridge and head up into the main square etc.  The bridge (Pont Jacques-Gabriel) spans the River Loire and there has been a medieval one here since the 11th century but in 1716 it collapsed.  The current replacement one was built at the beginning of the 18th century and is 283m long, it is made up of 11 arches, and is the last arch bridge on the river that is pointed. It was listed as a historical monument In 1937.

We strolled up the Rue Royal where all the shops are in the arcades, each side of the street and on into the square that is dominated by a giant statue of Joan of Arc sitting astride a large horse.    We have been here before but it rained, fortunately today it is dry though a little cloudy.   It was on this square we eventually found somewhere to eat, not a full blown French lunch, just a light snack.  

After lunch we continued our “grockling” by jumping on the tourist train that circulates through the old and new parts of Orleans.  We were asked by the driver for our country of origin and was “placed” in Carriage number 2:  once we started we realised why the question; each carriage’s commentary has a different language, ours was English.  This city has a great history dating back to before Roman times and it has been of importance ever since, fascinating history; Joan of Arc and the English siege was only one very small part of it.   

After our train ride, and to continue the theme, we sat in the square and enjoyed some delicious ice cream.    Next we headed to the magnificent Cathedral, built originally between 1278 to 1329, but was partially destroyed in 1568 during the French religious wars: It was rebuilt between 1601 and 1829 in the gothic architectural style.   During the English siege the cathedral was visited frequently by Joan of Arc and this is depicted in the cathedral’s stained glass windows.

Our walk back to catch the tram we passed the Hotel Groslot Mansion, it was built in the mid 16th Century as a private house.   Later it became a royal palace where King Francois II of France died, the husband of the fated “Mary Queen of Scots”.  In 1758 the building was sold to the town and later became the town hall until they moved out in 1981. Today it is a museum and a wedding venue.

We wandered back and caught the tram, but to ensure no mistakes on our return got everything up on Google maps.   The return walk back the “Google” way was so easy, why did they send us the difficult way???

Over dinner we all had a good laugh before settling down for another couple of rounds of Phase-Ten: hopefully we will be able to announce a winner tomorrow!!!!

Tuesday 21st June

A free day today to sort out a number of administrative things that we had been putting off for sometime; quite boring really but they had to be done, not least sorting monies to pay my income tax that the Spanish authorities “just take” on the 30th June!!!!!

After our final meal we settled down to Phase-Ten for the last time and the needling was “rife”, no quarter given by anyone especially to Mike who had been ahead all the way through, but tonight everything changed; Christine came “up-on-the-rails” out of nowhere, totally unexpected, she left us all scrabbling around and just won this marathon game played over four nights.   Through gritted teeth, well played Christine.  As Mike and the boys we’ll be away at the crack of dawn we said our goodbyes tonight.

Wednesday 22nd June

This morning we were up much earlier to pack and get away after breakfast.   Thank you Mike, Catriona, Tobyn and Zander for making us welcome, we had a fabulous few days.   See you in Spain late July.    We are now heading to Beaune, a superb wine region, can’t wait……………..

Tuesday 21 st June

…………………Our drive from Orleans to Beaune took about 3-hours using Peage; expensive but the thought of extra couple of hours or more in the car wasn’t very appealing.    

We arrived in Beaune just after lunch.   Our hotel was right in the centre and fortunately they let us into our room early but more importantly, the hotel car park!    We soon dropped our bags and walked up the street into the heart of Beaune where all the restaurants, cafes, bars, wine shops and life is to be found.

Beaune is a walled town at the centre of the Burgundy winemaking region in France. Surrounded by the Côte d’Or vineyards.  The old cobbled town was heaving with tourists, no doubt like us and all nationalities, also here to enjoy the Beaune Wine.    The old centre had numerous restaurants and bistros to choose from so as we wandered we were also “sussing out” where we would eat tonight but unfortunately the rain came so we dived for cover under a large blind that covered the pavement where the tables were and folk still enjoying their lunches.     We waited for service but none was forth coming, no doubt the waiters were fair weather waiters!!!   Anyway the rain stopped so we left, still “parched” and  continued on our mission until we came across a attractive and full establishment with one spare table so sat down.   In between ordering and being served, the heavens opened so quick as a flash and without hesitation we moved inside.   Within seconds everyone outside thought this was a good idea and followed us in.   By being first, we had a choice of tables inside so sat and watched people scrabbling for tables, and staff running in and out collecting everything from outside; it looked like mad panic but somehow I suspect the establishment owners had experience of sudden downpours and operated like a well oiled machine.   So organised that once everything had been retrieved with every member of staff soaked to the skin, we suddenly realised that one-by-one they were reappearing in dry clothes!!!!!     Once all the “to’ing and fro’ing” had stopped our carafe  of Beaune wine arrived, lovely.   

The rain was still pouring down when we completed the carafe, so naturally ordered another but this time we accompanied it with a cheese platter to share.     At this time of the afternoon with the rain, no one was going anywhere, after all we were holidaymakers enjoying a stroll around a beautiful town in shorts and tee shirts!!!!

Eventually the rain passed and the sun came out so we all ventured outside again whilst the café re-set their outside tables and life continued as normal.     We headed to the tourist office to enquire about the small train that tours the town but the next one wasn’t till early evening so decided we would do it tomorrow morning before heading south.   We returned to the hotel for an hour before heading out somewhere to dine, after all having shared a cheese platter, we weren’t too desperate to eat; we’ll just yet!!!!

We finally ventured out with a positive attitude and no brolly, IT WILL NOT RAIN!,,

After another quick scout round settled on a restaurant just outside the main square, (which is actually round!!!) that was filling rather quicker than most, so this must be good sign and entered.   Though it was busy, we had a choice of a few tables and at this moment our “positivity” dropped and we chose one that, if it rained we would not be affected.

We had a very nice meal with a superb bottle of Beaune to wash it down, and no rain!!!     It was now getting a bit late so strolled back to the hotel, tomorrow we head to Frejus but first we have the train ride to look forward.

Wednesday 22nd June

We were up in reasonable time to enjoy the hotel breakfast, sort the bill, get permission to leave the car in the hotel car park before strolling back to the main square to pick up the train.

Breakfast was good but upon returning to our room it started!!!!!!   The thought of being stuck on the “little train” with no access to a loo was a little too much, so pulled the plug on it and instead decided to hit the péage, and stop as necessary at service stations!!!!!    I blame the snails I had at “Restaurant des Artes” on Sunday; never had a problem before and I’ve always enjoyed them!!!!

So off we set, straight onto the motorway and headed south to even warmer weather…………………

Thursday 16th June 

The crossing was so smooth it was hard to know we were heading across the channel.    After a good nights kip we had breakfast in our cabin, two hot cross buns and a tub of prepared fruits, bought yesterday from Asda.

Passport control in France was straight forward and customs ignored us so picked up our route and was away, heading to Sandy and Wendy’s, friends of mine for the past 30-years or so.  They live just outside Melrand, a small village in the department of Morbihan;  Brittany.   Our journey-time will be a little under 4-hours so no time to waste and no toll roads!!!

We arrived in time to witness Sandy sitting on his lawn tractor cutting the verges outside his “estate” and immediately he used this excuse to drive it back to the house; job done!!!

Due to Covid lockdown etc., it has been a few years since we met up so there was a lot to chat about; in fact we barely had time for lunch though carried on until we released there were another 4-guests arriving for dinner.   The fact is we forgot all about time and they arrived!!!, oh well dinner may be slightly late!!!!

After a delightful “al-fresco” meal and a stimulating conversation, their other guests departed, and after clearing up etc., we hit the sac.

Friday 17th June

We woke to another glorious day and mid morning headed down to the boatyard to meet up with Jules, their son, who was putting the finishing touches to his 41-ft sailboat; my juices started and I got the “urge” to be on the water in our own boat again; Christine soon put me right!!!

We then headed to a little little seaside place for a snack and beer etc.   The fascinating thing about this small place is it’s history, so much including the HQ of the “French East India Company”, and to think when we were at school we only really knew about the “British East India Company”!!!!! And there’s plenty more:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-Louis,_Morbihan.

The run back was uneventful but a little Friday PM traffic followed by another evening of chat, chat,chat and a stroll through his woods whereupon we came across his old Land Rover; a project in waiting me thinks!!!!

Saturday 18th June

Today unfortunately our flying visit came to an end😢😢, still there is always a hope they can visit us in Spain, subject to selling of course.

After our goodbyes we were away about mid-morning heading to Orleans, a four and a half drive away, intending to arrive just in time for a cuppa………………………….