6 months is a Long time

 This was the title of the last post I did on this site and it should now read 6 years is  long time. For a variety of reasons, now lost in the mists of times but not unconnected to arsey comments, I stopped recounting our adventures and I'm very sorry that I did as reading it back brings up memories long forgotten and I now have to live with 6 years of blank canvases. So I'm going to start it again and I shall begin by itemising all (or perhaps most of ) the trips we have made since leaving Le Bacares in September 2017. This may take some time.

05.10.17  Left Le Bacares. Slowish journey via Villeneuve s/Lot and home 12.10.17                                    12.10.17 Up to Blackpool with usual suspects to visit as many Wetherspoons as we could find . In November we had our Golden Wedding do in Southsea, had a cracking Anniversary weekend in Bath and then went on a cruise to the Caribbean 

2018.No trip to Spain. Stayed home until March for reasons that completely escape me now but it must  have been that F was having some tests etc.

April/May....Hebden Bridge and the Lake district and then Devizes with the usual suspects.

June 2018 Down through France to Alsace and then to Annecy for 2 weeks where we spent many happy hours cycling on the brilliant cycle paths. Home via Burgundy and a pleasant stop at Vichy to take the waters.

August/September 2018. Up to Edinburgh and a THS for the Festival . 5 days of Fringe shows incl. Andy Salzman and Gyles Brandreth. Then the North Coast 500 and a visit to Skye, back home via York & Cromer. October to Southport with the usual suspects  and then we left for Spain by ferry to Bilbao on 28 November arriving at Conil on 1 December 

Villeneuve sur Lot

Nice town.

Farewell to Barcarès lunch

The GF tucks into a pot of Moules with Frites....

THULE Update

My original post that Thule were unhelpful has to be revised.....they have now been extraordinarily attentive and I will post a full details in a day for so when I am sure of the outcome.

FRANCE 2017

13th September to 30th September

Discover Le Barcarès and Camping Floride & Embouchere. Has to be one of the best Campsites we've ever found. Ticks so many boxes we stay forces long as we can. Even move pitch to an all singing one with its own shower, toilet and sink. We are 100yards from the beach and right next to a Voie Verte that runs 14 km along the river one way and 14 Kms along the coast and through the town the other, plus access to other cycle paths and the Euro 8 route which goes all the way down to the Spanish border along the coast.... will eventually run from Barcelona to Athens apparently. We cycle to Perpignan to watch Perpignan play Montauban one Sunday. Bus to Perpignan for €5 return for both of us (!)  City is well worth a visit..stunning cathedral.
Le Barcarès has lots of cycling and Geocaching. Campsite has indoor and outdoor swimming pools,heated and jacuzzis. Whole area is great; huge markets and great restaurants. We shall come back here, probably next year as it has so much going for it, including Acsi at €15 and 7 for 6.

10 -12th September

Frontignan. Close to Sete which we cycle to and which is a very pleasant town and worth a visit. Weather hot but windy. First choice campsite full so find another not so good but ok.

27 August- 9th September

AGDE. Find nice campsite at Grau D'Agde, only get in by skin of teeth, bit of blagging and speaking French nicely. In view of difficulty finding places book in for 2 weeks but only €13 and 7 for 6. Turns out to be very good, privately owned and madam seems to like me as get bottle of wine when we leave. Very good area for cycling and is the end of Canal du Midi.....unique round lock with 3 exits. Have very enjoyable time.

25-26th August

Toulouse. Stay at camping Rupe again. In April there was a small gypsy site across the road....now there were 100's of caravans and disgusting human waste all along the footpaths. Will not come this way again. Cycle paths into and around city are excellent and city worth a visit.

19-24th August

Jonzac. Stay at camping municipal for first 3 nights which turns out to be very good - on the river below chateau and 3 minutes walk to town. Have dinner with Geoff & Caroline first night who are in nearby B&B. Sunday is my birthday. We cycle to Gite at la Pommerai where the 22 Pates are staying and have excellent day....cycle home in the dark and only fall off once which is a miracle. Hugh, owner of Gite insists on mowing a track across the field to give the motorhome access ( the driveway is cherry tree avenue) and we move up after 3 nights at the municipal. Hugh also produces 100ft lead and insists we plug in which is most welcome as the fridge is working overtime in the heat. Excellent week...visit Cognac and Bordeaux with G&C and on last night have dinner at their B&B which was interesting....

16-18th.August

Overnight Canterbury park and ride.,. £4 a night incl bus to city if required.
Aire at Pont de L'Arche outside Municipal €5. Nice church.
Aire at Ste.Maure de Touraine on N10

The Good Fairy Wins a Bet..

It's a long story...

Mediterranean Sunrise