Another Day…Another Sunset !

I was up bright and early at Camping La Foret, and from the look of the black clouds I had picked a good day to travel. packed and on the road by 9-30 a.m. I set off further south, and not before time…I had only been going a short time, when the rain started, and for a short time was quite heavy – perfect timing !

I drove along the coast (although again on the (free !) motorway…travelling through Bayonne, where I got some supplies, and skirting Biarritz, before travelling along the coast near St Jean du Luz and arriving just past at Fort Socoa, and Campsite Juantcho…http://www.camping-juantcho.com/index_gb.html my home for a few days…and as I had lunch, I tucked into some of the ‘supplies’- a tray of Petit Fours…I’m sure they were meant for more than one ! so I saved some for the next day !

Then having a rest for the afternoon, I left the campsite,crossing the road, and watched the sun go down on another part of the world …  

Resting in the Dunes..

 

I had decided to stay here at the foot of the Pila dunes for a couple of days…reading,relaxing and eating – same as normal really. The sun was up bright and early both days, and as I looked out of Wally’s windows,this is what I saw , a very relaxing sight each morning..ready for Pain au chocolat and coffee , just the job.

So, not a great deal to report, although both days did go out for a quick spin on the bikes, further along the coast on the first day, getting differing sights of the great dunes ,the second day I rode into Arcochan itself, and along the beautiful bay ,

and of course being at the foot of a 250 ‘ high sand dune, up and over several times ,finally watching the sun set across the Ocean (lots and lots of pictures !)

 

 

 

 

So, off further South tomorrow, to end up somewhere near Biarritz, for the weekend, and before heading over into Spain.

That’s What I call a sand hill /dune !

 

I set off from my very generous hosts Kevin and Susan in Lorignac, with what I could only describe as a ‘pilgrim lunch’…fresh bread ,boiled eggs and cherries ( lots of them, delicious),and continued travelling South, passing through Bordeaux, albeit on the busy motorway, so didn’t really see any of it, and continuing south travelled into the Arcochan basin, a sort of inland almost lake/bay, which during its forming had created the Dune de Playa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Dune_of_Pyla the largest sand dunes in the Europe !

it was an amazing sight, as I drove into the area, to suddenly see these hills looming up in front of me, not covered in grass, but actual sand dunes rearing up in front of me …golden,soft…and inviting.

Having got some provisions on the way I arrived at Camping La Foret…http://campings.village-center.fr/aquitaine/camping-la-foret.php in the forest,but at the foot of these great sand dunes  which just loomed overhead…

I settled in, got the washing done, and went for an early evening walk, up and on top of the dunes, and looking down at the Ocean below..how many steps to the top of the dunes ? 500+ !! good job I’m as fit as I am !

-although maybe not as fit as I thought, the chap on the pitch next to mine, was cycling and camping, having started out in San Sebastian 5 days ago, and going to Paris !Wow, although he then told me he was getting the train from Bordeaux ! – I took pity on him and lent him a chair for the afternoon/evening, and wished him bonne chance, as he was setting off at 7 a.m. !

It was a tremendous sight, very similar to being on the top of a snow clad mountain, with the wind whistling up the side, and depositing the snow over the top, almost like a cornice …

then it was romping down the sand the quick way, and a tastyy lamb BBQ…with some lovely red ‘Julienas’ wine…and an early’ish sleep..

Not forgetting my grandsons birthday…

Happy Birthday Tristan….love Grandad ! Although this picture’s  four  years old…he’s still got the same cheeky grin, and that’s my sun hat !

Watching the Grapes Grow…

A weekend of ‘strenous activity’ lay ahead…

firstly I left Western Briittany early Saturday morning, and continued travelling South along the west coast of France,into the Charente Maritime along the Gironde River,passing La Rochelle as I went , and by mid afternoon had arrived at my weekend hosts – Kevin and Susan, at ‘Chez Gradwell’ a lovely house and cottage in the village of Lorignac http://www.frenchconnections.co.uk/en/guide/city/142665-lorignac-charente-maritime a welcoming treat of a cup of tea, and strawberry jam smeared on fresh bread..delightful ! and shower,clean bedding and towels..sheer luxury.

Saturday evening we went to a really delightful mass at St Gregoire d’Ardennes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Gr%C3%A9goire-d'Ardennes a beautiful small village church, with a small welcoming community, and delightful singing – all in French of course, but I’m sure they understood me !

Then it was back to Chez Gradwell for a pleasant supper,washed down with lashings of Bordeaux superiur wine – Red of course ! and a good nights sleep.

We were all up early Sunday morning, and after a swift Breakfast, and read (!) of the Sunday papers, we went off to a ‘Brocante’ at Epargne’ – almost like a car boot sale in England, with all sorts of ‘antiques’ and bric a brac on sale…and lots of eager French sorting through items, even though black clouds were hovering overhead, and it was a fair bit chilly !

Not discovering any bargains…we then went to the coast to a really delightful beach area St Palais http://www.saint-palais-sur-mer.com/, where the laid back and smart chic area, was complemented by wide sandy beaches, with rocks behind – I could just imagine the Devon ‘Riviera’ being similar ! The sun was shining, but a stiff breeze continued to blow !After a walk around we called to a pleasant restaurant for lunch http://www.creperielaterrasse.com/ of Moules frites…mussels and chips ! followed by a nice sweet crepe…

Then it was off to Royan , a great port further along the coast, with lots of yachts in the harbour, and tours along the coast, and up the Gironde.

From there we carried on to Talmont http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmont-sur-Gironde a great little village on the top of cliffs ,and as you looked along the coast could be seen the fishing huts ,Le Carrelets ,which are used for ‘easy fishing’-dropping the nets into the water as the tide turns, and catching the fish that swim into the nets.. Lots of arts and crafts shops abounded in the village, however we only stopped for a quick coffee, and then on to Mortagne, to view the sea views and memorial to a Welsh fighter… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owain_Lawgoch …killed by a Scotsman, paid by the English !!

then it was back to Chez Gradwell…to collapse…

A Great weekend, and thanks to my hosts for their company,and hospitality…before moving south of Bordeaux tomorrow

There’s life in the Old Bar yet !

As I ‘peeped’ out the window during the night,and saw the heavenly starry sky, I thought- shudda brought my star spotters guides with me ..Ooops !The stars were very strong overhead, with constellations clearly in view, although yet to see any shooting stars, so back to sleep !

A glorious but cold morning greeted me (at a normal time- what’s normal?), blue cloudless skies, and a full day to meander..

I’d decided to ride around the peninsula to the Furthest point, the Ponte du Raz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointe_du_Raz a great jagged piece of rock, western facing ,across the mighty Atlantic to where I was only a few weeks ago…America !

I mistakenly thought the roads may be flatter than the Peak District of England – not so, it was up and down on a roller coaster ride as firstly I made it to the easterly point – Ponte du Van, passing roadside memorials to French people killed in the World Wars, and getting to the end point I took out some light refreshment I’d been carrying – a Power Bar from 1998 ! good enough for Scott of the Antartic I thought, good enough for Jotown ! I wondered how many adventures this had been with me and Wally ? However, it hadn’t finished yet, and slipped away down the rocks (recaptured later) so I temporarily made do with a nut bar..

The views across onto the Ocean and rocks were great, but clearly from their jagged appearance many a storm had passed this way before !

I then continued along the roller coaster,swooping down into Baie de Tresspasses –

Bay of Death…for surfers.. a great, from the looks of it surfing location with 20/30 surfers out on the Ocean , riding the waves into the beach…phew

then,as with any big downs, there’s a big ‘up’ and so up I went the other side of the bay, and onto the headland of the Pont Du Raz ,where there was an old semaphore station,and statue to Our Lady (to the shipwrecked) http://www.audierne.info/pages/capsizun/villes/plogoff/loisirsplogoff/notredamedesnaufrages.htm have a look at the story if you can translate –I can …

I had a wander round on foot,looking out to sea, 

and generally gearing myself up for the return journey, finally having the 1998 Powerbar –beautiful ! 

Then it was serious business for the return journey, non stop all the way to the campsite, up and down the steep lanes, before the real heat of the sun caught up with me… I returned to a lunchtime BBQ of steak,salad and spuds..great !

and all this for one person !!! 30 miles round trip..

A relaxing afternoon was called for,siesta   and wine for the evening, before moving further South tomorrow, having accepted a kind invitation from Kevin and Susan… more to follow..

although disaster has struck, temporarily I hope,my first weeks blogs have been removed,hopefully to be replaced…due to faults on the Blogger system-don’t panic, I shall return !

Keep Going..until you’re in the Sea !

Today was really a day for travelling, although when I started I didn’t know where I was travelling to, in my mind I thought, keep going…till you hit the sea – so I did !

I left St Michel early (for me !) at 9 a.m. and drove along the coast, towards Roscoff and Brest…unfortunately my romantic dream of pottering along the coast was slightly misconstrued, I did get occasional glimpses of coast/sea/yachts, but mainly I travelled along the motorway, eventually hitting Brest, a big city, that I didn’t spend long in, although I did find a McDonalds and free internet !

I then continued South  for a while, and eventually late afternoon arrived at Camping Pors Peron, http://campingporsperon.com/campingporsperon.html, which is on the headland of Cap Sizun, in Western Brittany

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_Sizun – a lovely quiet campsite (with free Wifi !) and an English owner !,although with the quality of my French, that doesn’t really matter…. vraiment !

A wander down the lane to the nearby beach, glorious warm sand….and freezing cold Atlantic Ocean…yes, I got my feet wet !

…before returning to the campsite for the first BBQ of the season…followed by Cheese,washed down with red wine..magnifique!

With great plans for a ride around the entire islet tomorrow,…….I’ll bid you an early bonne nuit !

Storming the Bastions…of France ?

I awoke to brilliant sunshine,after a good nights sleep, and ready for a full day at Mont St Michel.

I had decided to ride the 4 kms along the River, to the foot of the citadel – the great symbol to the French of resistance to the English in the 100 years war….perhaps that’s what it’s all about ?As I neared the foot of the rocks, the throngs of tourists amazed me – what it must be like in high summer ? In any event I was able to park my bike just outside the city gates, and joined the throngs, up through the narrow walkways – full of ‘tourist shops’- not making any money out of me !, and up to the abbey itself…. where unfortunately I had to part with 9$ to get in – shocking, although I made sure I got my free guided tour leaflet ! As i wandered round the great Abbey, you could feel the ancient past beneath your feet… I was able to stay for a beautiful sung mass at 1215…which lasted till 1325 !, got to get my moneys worth !  Then continuing the tour of the Abbey, around the cloisters  ,and down below to see the great vaults and crypts beneath, holding up the mighty church above.

Then back out into the sunshine, and to the surrounding seashore…where, another spot of good luck ? occurred…a seagull made a deposit straight down onto my face/sunglasses…they say ‘muck for luck’…wonder what’s going to happen ?

Then it was time to return to the campsite for an evening of relaxation, before a night time viewing of  Mont St Michel..

A Sombre Start to the Journey..

 

As I awoke at 6-10 a.m., or 7-10 a.m. French time ! …to the gentle swaying motion of the sea, I looked out the windows of the ship, and saw that we were already nearing the coast of France, the sun was shining, the skies were blue…it was to be a good start to the travels ?

I had decided to visit the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy, as they were nearby, and so as I rolled off the ferry into Le Havre, I crossed the port town, crossing  the River Seine (the one that goes to Paris !) , on a huge suspension bridge that seemed to climb up into the sky, before plummeting down the other side, and I drove towards Ouistreham ,with, as usual not a clear idea of what I was to find/see.

As I neared Ouistreham, I saw signs for the famous ‘Pegasus Bridge’- the landing had begun (all over again). I wandered around the new, and original bridge that had been captured by the British ,the gliders that were there,and actually stood on the spots where the 3 gliders had landed…I could only imagine what had occurred that night.

I then travelled along the coastline, viewing the various beaches, SwSword,Juno,Gold,Omaha and Utah – all of them being long flat expanses of sand, no doubt a churning mess on the 6th June 1944 !

I finished my tour by visiting the American and British Cemeteries…a very upsetting sight, to see the immaculately kept graves stretching out as far as the eye could see…in straight lines… and thought, as Edwin Starr sang ….War ! what is it good for ??

 

Absolutely nothing ! Nothing changes…even today, does it ?

I then left the Normandy coast, crossing to the bay of St Michel….and sunny cheery Brittany, for my first nights stay  in France at Camping Aux Pommiers , 4 kms from Mont St Michel…

Rainbows for Luck !

I set off from home in the middle of the day, ready for a nice steady drive along country lanes and down to Portsmouth.

I left in brilliant sunshine, and not a cloud in the sky…before I’d even left the High Peak, the sky turned black…and as I got further into deepest Derbyshire….the heavens opened, and the rain, and hail, yes HAIL came thundering down on me, and poor old Wally, battered before we’d even gone far from home.

As I travelled further down south, the sun occasionally came out, before once again the rain poured down, and as I looked behind me I saw Rainbows chasing me as I went – was this the omen of Good Luck, and no more rain to come ? I don’t think so, but an exciting view behind me !

I had arrived in Portsmouth, as the sun was about to go down, and a brilliant sight it was, by then clear skies, red sun, and the sea..how romantic ?

After a ‘last supper’ of the Englishman’s favourite – Fish and Chips ! I went to the ferry terminal, where after quite some time I was loaded on, and leaving Wally behind I went to sleep in the ‘Pullman Sleeper lounge’, a full sized lounger to stretch out fully on, and sleep most of the pleasant crossing to France….. Bon Voyage !!

Packing,packing….even Chelsea sent Packing !!

Well, what a start to my travels !!!

Everything packed, although I keep thinking I must have missed something, as it’s been so easy !

Off to the famed Hayfield ‘Beer house’ – the Kinder Lodge http://www.kinder-lodge.co.uk/siteflash/ to watch the Champions elect Manchester United, thrash Chelsea 2-1 (should have been far more!) the pub was packed, and in uproar by the end…6 points ahead, 2 games to play…nothing to stand in the way of yet another Premier League Championship ! Well done the Reds…

and now, time for me to travel – I’ll next post from the Continent somewhere..have fun, and I’ll leave you with a picture from up in Scotland..

Quite appropriate…..don’t you think !!!???

There’s No Holding Back…

Well, that’s it, I’ve done it…

Booked the ferry for next Monday night, overnight crossing from Portsmouth to Le Havre, France, arriving at 8 a.m. the next morning – I’ve even splashed the cash…and booked myself a sleeper seat !

So, look out Europe…here I come !

…and whilst preparing Wally for the road, including sanitising her water tanks,and sparkling her windows…I dropped, and broke one of her headlamp protectors….ooooh is this a tragedy ? No, Bluebird customs http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/t5%20ext.htm are posting a replacement, to arrive Friday …

Now, all I’ve got to do is work out where I’ll be going (any ideas on a postcard!) , what I’ll be taking….and everything else !, but, I’ve got the target to work to, and Manchester United beating Chelsea on Sunday afternoon will be a great start !http://www.manutd.com/Splash-Page.aspx

Early start, to a Long Sunny Day

I was up bright and early – 6-05a.m., a final drink, quick Breakfast, farewell to a tired Kate !

and off I went at 6-40 a.m. for my trek back down South, to home.. only to remember I’d left my camera in the kitchen, and so I had to return,collect it…and start again at 7 a.m.- on a beautiful sunny morning, although there was frost on the heather and mosses that were still in the shade.

I made really good progress , so much so, that I diverted to Keswick to look for some outdoor clothing, but it was so busy wen i got there, and i couldn’t find he shop, or decent place to park, so continued to Preston at a caravan accessories shop, again not finding what i wanted, so continued home, calling in at Sainsburys,Denton, for much needed grub, and home for 6-20 p.m.—440 miles…in the sun.

And now ?? planning my next trip…next week , see you then !

A final Zip around the Lanes…

A beautiful day dawned in Elgin – sun shining, clear sky, and not too much wind, and yes, it was another Bank Holiday that I missed, disgraceful,not getting Bank Holidays any more, I should write to complain!

I’d decided that the ‘patient’ Kate could manage without me, so I was going to set off for home on Tuesday, after I’d done whatever would be needed to tide her over.

Whilst she was doing some studying I decided to take advantage of the day, and the relatively ‘flat’ and undulating lanes in the area.Setting off from Kate’s I whizzed around Elgin town Centre, passing Dr Grays Hopsital, where Kate had been last week, and on the road towards Pluscarden Abbey…http://www.pluscardenabbey.org/home.asp about 8 miles away.

I whizzed along the lane,which was very quiet, and so I was able to enjoy the sunshine.. I soon arrived at and passed the Abbey,to look later, and continued riding up what became a long tortuous hill, which seemed to go on for ‘ever’ !,however,as usual I reached the top, and swiftly rode down the other side, along pleasant lanes, and onto the Road which took me to the town of Forres http://www.forresweb.net/ where I decided to have a rest,eat..and return…

I sat in a pleasant sunny park, for a short time, then climbing my trusty steed…started the return journey. I had considered going a differing way back to Elgin, but in the event decided to return the same way, so I could call in at Pluscarden Abbey, look round..and maybe an ice-cream ?

The journey was a lot easier than I hoped for, and I was soon at Pluscarden, where I stayed for a short time i the wonderful quiet of the Abbey Church, and it’s surrounding gardens – it’s easy to see how the minks can be ‘at peace’ here , wonderful !

I then resumed my journey, back to Kate’s, surprising her with my appearance – looking far too fit to be 56 ! A 35 mile round trip, and I knew it !

For my reward…and before I left she made me do the lawns again, and take her shopping..oh, and a nice steak meal for dinner…

Time to pack up and leave, in the morning !

Tackling the Monsters’’again !

Up bright and early today, to drop Kate at Lossiemouth for a study course, and then onto near Mulben…for the car Park at Ben Aigin forest, and ready for …http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-6mrjht  The Ben Aigin ‘Hammer’… a difficult red route climbing up through the forest, to the top of Ben Aigin, descending around the top, and along sections like ‘The Hammer’, ‘The Widowmaker’ and…a fast downhill section….

I returned to the mast, and then down to the car park along the ‘Mast Blast’….and phew, a cool drink, and cruise back to Elgin…

Then, to read the papers….apparently there was a big Wedding in London yesterday !

A Royal Celebration …in Elgin

We had prepared for the ‘big event’ by doing all the shopping on Thursday, intending to get some bunting,flags, and ‘wedding memoribilia’, ready for the big days events…

Unfortunately (it being Scotland) there was nothing available, so we decided we would just have to ‘pretend’…

Slight complications were that Theodore (cat!) was still unwell, and we had to take him into Vets at 4 p.m. Thursday…and ‘drat’ we had to return on the ‘Big Day’ to leave him for an X Ray, at 0900 !….

So, the big day arrived in ,now sunny,Scotland, we were up early, with television on, so as to not miss a single second …

although we did have to dash to vets, and back again…breakfasting on bacon and egg barms….and settled down to watch every second of the day….

Fantastic…England at it’s best….and a fantastic spectacle, oh, we wished we were there…still the television coverage was very moving..and fun !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishmonarchy/sets/72157626613171058/show/

We watched it live, immediate highlights, later highlights…and to bed, as the next highlights appeared !

Oh, and Theodore was collected with a ‘special (and expensive) diet’ ….hopefully cured.. !

Sunshine…finally

Well, the sun has finally started to arrive in North East Scotland..

Kate had been discharged from Hospital on Monday afternoon, so I made her ‘’chucky eggs’ and ‘soldiers’ , served on the sunny patio…

Up to Kate’s bas for a check up in the afternoon, and b evening the sun was still shining, so I decided to get the Road bike out, and go for a spin along the sunny evening roads.

I travelled from Elgin, passing Lossiemouth, Hopeman and up to Burghead, a really pleasant ride in the sunshine… then I decided it was time to return, and as I turned found a fierce wind in my face, blowing hard against me – not as easy as I thought !

So, I puffed and panted all the way back…22 miles round trip in 1 hour and 20 minutes…not bad !

Then Spag Bol, garlic bread and lemon zest pud !

Around the Fochabers Ring

The sun was shining, weakly on this Easter Sunday morning,and I was about early to go to Fochabers for the http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ourwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandMorayandAberdeenshireNoForestForestsofMorayandAberdeenshireWhiteashMorayMonsterTrailsTheFochabersRing Monster Trails that were there !

Several routes were there, around the grade that I like (Red), and I was ready for some rough riding after a few days of a sedentary life !

…that’s when the first error of the week reared it’s head- my bike shoes were at Kate’s house…Ooops ! Rather than going back I decided  to ride in my sandals… the trail was initially OK for me to negotiate in sandals, just a fairly steep climb for some distance, up to the pyramid monument to the Duchess of Richmond, then down and into winding steep tracks through the forest…which soon became quite tortuous,and infested with gnarly tree roots, which did their (failing) best to throw me off…and quite tricky at times.

I returned to the car park, packed up and went off to Kate’s….collecting the paper on me way –well it’s Sunday….papers day !

I had the ‘afternoon off’ visiting…and so took it easy, and walked to the hospital in the evening (less than an hour away), saw Kate who continued to do well, although she wasn’t too good at ‘I Spy’ ! , and walked home for an early night.

Easter Blessings

Kate’s Operation had gone well the previous day, and it was good to see her in Hospital, looking bright and cheerful…making a good recovery.

My young charge had meanwhile responded admirably to the tender ministrations of Jotown, and had ‘dried up’…

So, that evening I went to St Mary’s Dufftown, for the Easter Vigil Service http://dufftown.stsylvesters.org.uk/history, it’ some years since I sang as much at a vigil service, or had as many readings…so the two hour service passed fairly quickly, with all the clergy of St Sylvester’s parish present http://www.stsylvesters.org.uk/ 

A great start to Easter….

As you will see St Mary’s Dufftown needs money..the altar couldn’t be used properly due to the dry rot…Paypal taken…please join me in helping !

Easter Blessings to You All

Caring for the Young One…

It was a big day for me…

Kate taken …and left at the Hospital for her Op the following day…and Jotown ?

…..remains in charge of ‘Theodore’, aka ‘Theo’,aka (to me) ‘Kojak’… and who was in need of ‘tender care’,

….as he had a bad case of the ‘trots’…

delightful ! ….Welcome to Summer 2011

Oh, and by the way, whilst the rest of Britain basked in sunshine and high temperatures….North East Scotland…was cold and dismal !

On the Road Up North

I was up bright and early for my trip up North, to the wilds of Elgin…and the North East of Scotland

I was to go up North for a while, whilst Kate my daughter was having an operation, and wanted her delightful father- Jotown to help, if needed. her husband Wayne – my blog creator –was away on his ‘summer holidays’ in the dessert for a while – stay safe Wayne, and all your mates…

I set off from Derbyshire at 9 a.m. in wonderful sunshine, and the prospects of a warm,pleasant drive up North

-as usual, that was to change, as I continued further North, the skies clouded over ,until eventually by mid afternoon, and crossing the Cairngorms…the rain came !

I landed at Kate’s in Elgin just after 6 p.m., a good ,quick road journey..and the start of my summer travels !

I won’t be updating every day…only when I get up to some….adventure !