To Caen and then Home

We arose about 0730 and following a quick pack and had breakfast in the Hotel before heading across the road to the car park for the car. We departed Tours around 0830 is and headed very quickly to the Motorway and the North.

We needed to purchase some fuel which is bloody expensive in France compared to the UK, god knows why, and then continued with

a full tank and arrived in Caen and the traffic around the Perifique was at its usual slow pace but we arrived at the Port at about 11.40 for a 1400 departure. 

The ship was quite busy but enjoyed a cabin where you could rest and listen to my musing and Jennifer read her book after we had a cheap lunch in the canteen style restaurant. We did consider the main restaurant on board which is good but the prices are quite steep now.

It was a lovely day as we arrived Via the Isle of Wight and in to Portsmouth harbour and 45 minutes after arriving we had gone thro UK Immigration and on our way back home where we arrived at just about 2100.

Well that the end of this trip which was most enjoyable  with the family and only some personal circumstance change and the hot weather made is change our plans. Have to start planning the next trip soon.

See YAH

We leave for Tours

We departed the Hotel at around 0945 and followed the Sat Nav which lead thro some interesting villages as we headed North thro the Region Lot. The temp was already showing around 27C as we arrived at the local supermarket to purchase a baguette which we would eat later that day.

We headed North using a mixture of Motorways, Toll Roads and N roads and stopped for lunch by the side of a road about 1330 . The roads had been fairly quiet then they started to get quite busy and particularly on the final 50 odd miles to arrive in Tours. We located the Hotel  quite easily and also the underground car park which was designed for noddy cars as any vehicle than out Lexus NX would have great difficult negotiating the up and down ramps and also fitting in a marked spot. Anyway we found a space and the lift brought us to within 50 yards of the Hotel, perfect, and we checked in to the room and enjoyed the air con for  while before heading to a local restaurant for dinner. Had the usual issues with my dietary requirement and they said you have have the steak, not surprising as the most expensive on the bill of faire. The Sirloin was not that great but you could at least eat it and also enjoyed a couple of glasses of beer which in hind sight  was not perhaps the best thing to do. 

After dinner Jennifer went for a walk don by the river and bridge whilst Noel returned to the Hotel, usual reasons, then realised that Jennifer would not be able to access the lift to the room without the one key that I had in my pocket and so I had another beer in the bar and chatted to the Icelandic bar keeper and also acting Hotel receptionist.

He was a nice guy and had lived in Tampa and and also Germany for a while and then settled in France for the time being due to having a French girlfriend, Jennifer turned up half an hour later and tried a Japanese Whisky they had in the bar which she enjoyed very much.

We returned to the room and watched some stuff on the TV and then to bed and we need an early morning as still have 150 miles to Caen and the traffic around Caen can be terrible

A tour along the Lot Valley

We had our usual breakfast on the balcony although it was rather warm and expected to get warmer during the day with temporaries of 36C expected. However we thought that this morning we would travel along both sides of the River Lot and the valley from Carjac to Cahors and back and just to enjoy the scenery. This journey took about 2.5 hours as we did not rush and only took a couple of photos as we have been visiting and taking photos around this place for many years.

We arrived back in town at about 1400 and it was rather warm but we visited a little café service a limited selection of food but enjoyed a croque monsieur with salad before heading back to the Hotel to begin our preliminary packing in advance of our return journey to the UK starting tomorrow morning. We had originally planned another few days in France and returning the St Malo where we would meet an old friend but with Hotels being full, particularly those with air con, and we did not want any more hot nights and days we had decided to leave France early. We never go to France in August as its always crowded but extenuating circumstances means that we did but there is not point in paying out good money when the result is not what you want. So we have booked a Hilton Hotel in Tours and changed our return ferry from St Malo to the one that leave Caen as its an afternoon one we could catch without difficulty.

We had a light dinner in the room of of a salad which was nice and then tried to sleep in the hot room with the fan chugging away like crazy but not comfortable for sleeping.

We finished off most of the packing and went to bed.

A quiet day with nice lunch

A slow start to the day having breakfast on our balcony overlooking the driveway!! however we are surrounded by bushes and trees so quite acceptable. We were not sure if a friends of ours was going to join us for lunch be he did confirm ad we agreed to meet at our hotel at around 12.40 only he was delayed by a group protesting about something. However he arrived and we had a brief chat then headed back to Cajarc where our restaurant we have booked is located.

We have used this restaurant several times over the past 10 years and pleased it is still managed by the same owner that we met in the good old days as the chef was learning his trade in the Holiday Inn Hotel at Leeds/Bradford Airport and where he had a Russian girlfriend. But due immigration issues they had to lave and he arrived in Cajarc  to start his own restaurant ina building that need a complete refurb. We have previously brought some American friends here and they thought it was really great.

We had an excellent lunch , not cheap, but they had taken care of my food requirements very well and so I was happy to enjoy without fear and so it proved to be the case after 24 hours. It was a very hot afternoon with temperatures around 34C and with tummies decided that swimming would not be the best thing and so spent some time in the room and then Noel watched the Chelsea vs Liverpool match which was really good and the start of the new team looks quite positive and I believe there are still a few guys to start as well.

In the evening we watched a little bit of TV and started to watch a fi on Netflix but the sound volume was so low whilst the TV in the room had a sound restriction and although we turned on subtitles we soon got bored and then watched a couple of things on You Tube.

Lights out and its still rather warm

Getting quite warm

Following a light breakfast on the room balcony we departed by car to travel alongside the River lot in a direction we had not used before. The route took us east alongside the river and eventually we had to cross and then wended our way back to Carjac. The trip took about two hours and it was nice and comfortable in the car showing 22 C whilst outside i was showing 33C. Its interesting to note the one side of the river is in the Averyon District whilst the other side is inn the Lot District. WE too a few photos en-route.

Upon arriving back in Carjac we discovered it was very busy due to the local market taking place and so we found a location to park and then walked back to the town and walked along until we came to the Hotel President where we have never stayed but have used the restaurant a few times in the past. When we had passed by last Thursday it was closed and initially I thought it was closed for good but no, it just closes the restaurant on a Thursday.

We went thro all the usual rubbish about no onion, garlic etc etc and took the easiest way to order a simple dish of Cheeseburger and fries and the staff sent out the manager to double check what I could and could not eat which was nice. The burgers were very good and also large, why one would eat a McDonalds when you can get a burger like this beats me. We had a couple of beers to wash it down and whilst sitting there we heard lots car hooter being used and the sound of the emergency services and shortly afterwards a load of cars and an Fire Engine went by blasting their hooters and celebrating a marriage. This is a traditional thing to do in France.

On returning to the car we stopped in to the bakery and bought a baguette and some nice biscuits intending to use the bread later with say cheese or the ham we have but frankly decided that we were full. It was now about 34 C and to hot to go to the pool and as we were both feeling full , swimming would not be a good idea, so we enjoyed a rest in the bedroom for a a while.

Later on we watched, possibly for the third time the film Captain Philips about a Maersk Container ship captain taken by Somali pirates, a good film and well played  by Tom Hanks.

And so to bed

A quiet day in Carjac

We had breakfast in the Hotel this morning as it was easier but of course its not free and they charge approx £ 25.00 for the two of us for a big choice of which Noel can eat very little so in toom catering is called for. So first thing we did was go down to the riverfront next to Carjac bridge as alongside are a number of restaurants that look interesting, initially we drove down the very narrow streets to the river but no parking available so returned to the main town, parked up and then walked back to the river front to survey what food was being offered. All the usual it appears. From there we walked back to the main town and to look for a great restaurant that we had used several times before.

The restaurant is called Maison Du Safran and we have visited there several times over the years and once with our American friends who thought it wonderful. The restaurant is owned by a couple who lived in Leeds for a while and was working I think at the Holiday Inn with his Russian wife and they moved back here some six or seven years ago to set up this restaurant. The chef achieved his object by becoming Michelin Restaurant recognised and at that point decided life would be better by not opening every evening and so now they do 10.00 till 17.30. We have booked to go there for Sunday lunch but this time I have emailed them with my food issues.

From here we visited the Intermarche Supermarket for our lunch and evening food and then headed back to the room where we enjoyed smoked salmon on crispbread for lunch. In the afternoon Jennifer went to the swimming pool for several hours and in view of Noels nether region problem he stayed in the lounge and updated this blog with photos etc .

In the evening we enjoyed a nice light snack of French baguette with ham and lettuce out on the balcony of the room, most pleasant. In the evening we watched a documentary on Netflix about IOM cycle champion Mark Cavendish , most interesting from reaching a significant high spot in world cycling then dropping to the bottom and then rebuilding his life. I must say that Netflix does these documentaries very well. We then watched ‘Plank of the Week’ on You Tube and also having a lovely video call with our son and his wife.

And so to bed

Onward to Carjac on Le Lot Valley

Following a light breakfast in the Hotel we loaded the car and left the Chateau at around 1045 and plotted our way from Millau to Carjac. It was a pleasant drive  through the countryside with occasionally being slowed down by farming vehicles of all sorts.

We arrived in to Carjac at around 13.30 much to early to go to the Hotel which was check in time at 16.00 so we found a little bar and  bistro which sold food and we both had a Croque Monsieur for lunch and passed the time of  day until about 1500 we decided to locate the Hotel called Carjac Blue Hotel which was on the outskirts of Carjac. We arrived and and must stay it is very nice indeed with modern up market throughout with nice bar, swimming pool , gym etc. We checked in and did the usual unpacking , this time for five nights, and then Jennifer went to the pool whilst I stayed in the room to be near the small room of the house, yes from the night before!.

At around 1700 I joined Jennifer at the pool for a while and then on the way back to the room we bumped in to the Chef and as it was my intention to speak to the reception about my food issues thought I would talk to him. Perhaps not the best thing to do and first of all he said it was not possible and became most difficult and even the receptionist, who may have been his wife, was also suggesting it was not possible. This attitude surprised me as have not had this before so then later I went back to reception to explain why I have these issues and then the attitude changed and they became a little sympathetic and said they would see what they could do.

We changed for dinner and had a drink at the bar and they did produce a very nice dinner for me, with a tomato started the size of Surrey with about seven different types, then followed by  cod with potatoes, carrots and French beans , which earlier they said they did not have so somebody must have gone shopping and I finished off with cheese. Jennifer had a starter of Duck Salad, also very large and then for mains had a Lamb shank which she did not expect and it was much to large and could not finish but there were some large bits of garlic and onion and to finish a strawberry pot with a rose wine sauce which she polished off.

We went back to the room and watched the Tv for a while and then slept although it was bit warm.

A nice drive to Millau

For breakfast we drove down to the local bakery only to find that even at 0945 all the croissants had been sold, which was a shame so Noel had a Croque Monsuir and Jennifer an our friend had a very nice pastry with a couple cups of coffee.

We returned to the house and Noel packed the car ready for a departure at at bout 11.00 as today we are driving to see the Millay bridge and the journey will take a couple of hours, maybe more and subject to traffic. However there was hardly any cars anywhere until we got to the outskirts of Rodez which is quite a large and bustling town but then the Satnav ferried us around the outside of the main town to avoid the main traffic. At around 1.30 pm we were beginning to feel a little peckish and so we came across a parking area where we could stop and and eat our previously prepared cold salmon baguette which were excellent.

As we got nearer to Millau there were signs to lookouts for viewing the bridge but we ignored for a while but Millau was a very busy town with the roads and people walking in to the street and not making life easy for driving. Should be a law against it!!

We arrived at the Hotel called Chateau De Creissels just on the outskirts of the town with a view overlooking the Tarn Valley and of course five pillars of the famous Millau Viaduct. Our room overlooked the swimming pool but we were both a little tired and decided to have a rest for s short while and then Noel caught up on some office stuff. In the evening we went to the restaurant with a choice of in or outside and we chose the latter and had a nice dinner where the staff went out of their way to ensure I would have no food problems but my own fault I tried some white whine, not Chardonnay, and it later gave me a difficult time leading in tot eh next day travel unfortunately.

After dinner we walked along a parapet of the castle which dates back to see following info

Hotel Millau : a place full of history

In the heart of the History of Creissels

Converted into a hotel in 1960, enlarged in 1972, the Château de Creissels has a rich history. It is the oldest hotel in Millau and could tell many stories if its walls could tell what they have seen. The castle goes back to a high antiquity, an act of 801 making mention of it. But it was Henri II who built the castle in the 12th century in order to live in it. Then, great families of France succeeded one another among the owners. The 1st Viscount of Creissels, Raimond de Roquefeuil is none other than an ancestor of the rich Rockefeller. The Château was owned by the French Crown from 1589 (the accession of Henri IV, known as "The Great") until 1628, when King Louis XIII, known as "The Just", donated it to private individuals.

Since then, this residence has often been passed on by women. Over the centuries, the building has undergone many transformations. However, the living room, the library, the reception, the restaurant rooms (former guard rooms) and the parapet walk constitute the oldest parts of the castle dating from the 12th century. The square tower was built in the 19th century, after the fire of 1814, which destroyed two thirds of the building. The ramparts were built on the terrace to hide the ruins of the part affected by the fire. Throughout these years, the Château welcomed many personalities, including two bishops who, in the 19th century, had their family home there, and whose eponymous room has been preserved with its period furniture. More recently, the great lyric artist Emma Calvé stayed there and left many memories.

Noel took a couple of sundown shots of the bridge .We would certainly stay here again should we visit the area.

Shopping and a French letter

We were all a little slow of the ground this morning after rather a late night reminiscing  over things past. As our friend had not been in the house for several months there were a number of items that needed work and one such thing was the house phone had stopped working completely and this turned out to be due to a bad battery and I also think due to the change of router the phone would not work as about 15 years old, so a new one was required.

So in the morning we did a run down to Montauban to a Super U Hypermarket where we purchased some new kitchen utensils , a three handset phone and a few other things and then proceeded home for lunch of cheese and biccies on the balcony. We also needed to collect the spare car from a garage about 30 minutes away as it had been there for some repairs and was needed and of course as u cannot drive more than one car at a time a lift to this place and the car was collected. Upon return we set up the new phone which, after a few hiccups works fine and its a big improvement on the other one which is great.

We had thought of going out for dinner to the local restaurant which is apparently very goo but they have a very limited menu and so to avoid my problems we stayed in and had a cold salmon salad which was very nice indeed. No wine tonight and played it straight.

With regard to the French letter , there is an ongoing wrangle with regard to property inherited by the Roux family and its descendants, which includes me and my two sisters where a property in France needs to be sold but their is a guy who believes the property is his and wont move out. This who issues has been ongoing for the last 4/5 years and getting tiresome. Its a very complicated matter and the French legal process is slow which does not help. Oh well lets see what happens next.

After dinner we watched some you tube stuff including a 45 minute documentary about the Millau Bridge which are planning to visit tomorrow. We decided we need an early night but still about 10.30 pm

Time for bed

A visit to Puyleroc which ended in failure

The original idea for breakfast was to go to the local boulangère and then go a short distance to a café where you can eat said bread and croissants whilst enjoying the morning sun. However we suddenly recognised being a Monday all the local shops and cafes would be closed and so instead headed in to Caussade to the large Carrefour store to purchase the required items for breakfast.

So a late breakfast with our friend having several visitors to do some work, putting up lights whilst Noel installed the Amazon fire stick for David and then one of the workman, who happened to be a Brit, helped set up some Wi-Fi extenders so that the Wi-Fi signal covers most of the house which is a significant improvement on the current status.

All this took several hours and then we had lots of chat to catch up with dinner with us enjoying salmon and salad and the odd glass of plonk. We chatted for a lot longer than expected and did not get to bed until about midnight.

We plan another trip tomorrow to collect a car which our friend keep here.. And so to bed.

En-route to Puyleroc

We left the hotel after a light breakfast in the room and loaded the car and headed off to the Leclerc Supermarket which was about a mile away where spent about 45 minutes loading up with rations for our stay with our friend.

Following that we turned on the Sat nav which gave us several choices and we chose the apparent fastest at that time which was go south to Bordeaux then East above Toulouse and then down to our final destination and it would take about 4.5 hours although whilst en-route that SatNav informed us that there we re road delays which we discovered were around Bordeaux where the traffic was very slow indeed but nothing you can about it and to change routes was not possible.

Around 1400 we stopped in a roadside ‘AIRE’ and had lunch before heading on the Puyleroc where we arrived at about 4.30 Pm. We knocked up a dinner of prawns to be peeled and chicken breasts from Costco and some wine and lots of chat.

By 11 pm we were getting tired and so to bed

Oh dear more rain

We awoke to the pouring rain and decided to wait it out and it stopped at about lunchtime. In the meantime we had a light breakfast of French toast and jam with a cuppa in the hotel room and then at about 1.30 pm when the rain had stopped we headed back down town in the light rain to find the little bistro that we had visited the previous day and the staff remembered my food challenges and again made sure everything was ok.

For lunch we both had a croque madame, which is a croque monsieur with egg on top??? and it came with fries and salad and most filling. We left the restaurant whilst the rain held off and did some minor shopping in a Carrefour City shop of milk and a couple of cheeky chocolate biscuits.

Noel spent some more time in the afternoon reviewing our travel plans and spending quite some time on the internet looking for suitable hotels which match our proposed route back to St Malo. So we have booked a five night stay in Carjac an old ton in the Lot Valley with the promise of no rain and but nice and warm and then three nights in Angouleme and nice town on a river where we have booked an aparthotel. and then we still have two nights to fill but will do that in a weeks time . And finally a night in a Hotel in St Malo so as to be in ample time for our early ferry back to Portsmouth.

Tomorrow we leave this Hotel and head off to see a friend who lives in a place Puylaroc which is not to far from Cahor/etc.

Then spent the rest of the evening watching TV.

A walk around Rochefort

The weather was going to be a bit mixed today but we also wanted to explore tis old town and the rope factory. We were both still feeling rather full from the previous evenings dinner and so decided we would skip breakfast and head of on our walk and then get something to eat when the hunger surfaced.

So we walked down alongside the old rope factory which is now a museum and this where they used to make the long ropes for the tall ships of old and its is a very impressive building indeed. With Noels knees issues and a general lack of interest in Museums we walked along to river and the quiet side of town and then up thro the main part of town which was very quiet and just what we wanted . By this time it was about 13.30 and feeling a little peckish we came across a little bar/bistro which seemed packed with locals which is always a good sign. For lunch Noel explained his garlic and opinion issues and they me no problems and so I had a cheeseburger and fries and Jennifer had the ham and cheese omelette and both were very good and so much enjoyed this we thought we may go back tomorrow.

After lunch we headed back to the Hotel all the time taking photos etc and got back to the room just as it started to rain again. So we used the afternoon to catch up with photo uploads, blogging and Jennifer reading and generally a very quiet afternoon indeed.

In the evening Noel set up the Roku Tv gadget and we caught up with some tv, and then to bed

Time to move on and its bucketing down with rain

What a rubbish morning. We have been so unlucky with the weather since we arrived with loads of rain and grey skies and the only saving grace was that the grandchildren could use the indoor pool where it was heated to a nice warm temperature so they could play for hours, which they did.

We had an early breakfast and finished the rest of the packing whilst waiting for the rain to stop enough so I could load the rest of the stuff in the car and finally succeeded at about 09.20 and then went to help if we could with the rest of the family packing but both were in a good state. We and Michael and Becky left the site just after ten and Joanne and Tim shortly after all going in different directions. Michael and Becky were going to Caen/Ouistream and Joanne to Cherbourg. We all came over on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry but the return leg leaves around 10 am in the morning and there would be no way for them to make it as its three hours away hence using different routes for them to go home.On our part were heading South and in between the heavy and light rain headed back to Vannes and then South as we are planning to stay in a place called Rochefort which is close to the famous old town of La Rochelle where we are staying in a Mercure Hotel which was once part of an old ship rope making factory. The journey on the Motorways with heavy trucks kicking up lots of spray was not enjoyable and quite tiring but we eventually arrived at the Hotel around 3.30 pm where we immediately took a rest for an hour or so before heading to the restaurant for dinner. When we arrived there were only a few people there which made me worry that the restaurant perhaps was not so good but by the time we left at around 9pm it was packed. I passed them my dietary issues and they went to great length to ensure all was OK, Jennifer had the confit of duck and Noel the salmon and to avoid worries about vegetables etc had it with chips. Together we risked a bottle of Chardonnay and then finished off with Strawberry Pavlova only it was really strawberries and cream with some meringue in the middle, but quite tasty anyway.

And so to bed and Jennifer with reading and Noel containing with the case against Mr Stacey but it is all not what it appears and the defence are doing a good job whilst the storage of Kevin Spacey personal goods in Philadelphia will assist. It appears that he was a bit of a hoarder and kept everything he ever received, receipts for restaurants, short term leases on houses and apartments, old mobile phones, you name it and he had it and it was a blessing in disguise.

Goodnight

This blooming rain is not great

We decided that eating out would be nice thing to do today as we are due to pack up and leave tomorrow morning by and we tried to book the place we had been at a couple of days ago only it was closed on Wednesday however we located another Italian Pizza restaurant nearer to town and booked that instead.

Michael and Becky and family went off to the local market for a while and then looked at joining the Petit Train and purchased tickets that they would use later in the day. Joanne and Tim did their own thing that morning and hen we all walked down to the restaurant at around 1300 and all met up. 

As usual the grandchildren all ate well but the Pizza’s for the kids were rather large and so we had a box to bring back home. It was then decided that they would all go on the Petit Train and so back to the Tourist office to purchase some more tickets before heading back to the departure where there were so many people waiting for the Petit train it looked hopeless. When discussing with the guy controlling the train he said they were selling more tickets than the rain could handle for many hours to come and he had told the office to stop selling tickets but they did not. So deciding this was a no go they went back to the Tourist Office to get their money back only to discover this was not possible in that in French it says non refundable but the English translation does not. Not only that if purchased for one day it cannot be used the next in other words non transferrable.

So very upset and disappointed they all returned to camp and Jennifer visited Site office and they really tried to assist but to no avail and £ 40 wasted. Noel when he get home will write to the Mayor of Carnac and lodge a strong complaint.

So the afternoon the rain had eased and so we packed our car as far as possible whilst the kids went off to the pool and later on to visit the Disco that was taking place which they all enjoyed very much but it was a late night for the grandchildren. One the kids were in bed then Joanne and Tim, Michael and Becky started the packing so as to be able to leave by tomorrow morning.

W e had a quiet evening with Jennifer reading and Noel listing to a podcast on the case against Kevin Spacey trial in New York where he had been accused of sexually assaulting a 14 year old boy. More info on this to follow.

Its Birthday time

Well its Katherines birthday today as well as Jennifer's and so this evening we will have a special dinner for all to join but first the weather took a further downward turn and it pretty much rained all day. In the morning the kids went to the beach to complete some sand art and hope to have some photos of the event and will publish when internet it better.

In the afternoon Christopher participated in the kids fencing championships and enjoyed that very much. On our part we hung around and rested as walking in the slightly cool weather with lot of rain is not a great thing for us to do. But overall the children have really enjoyed being able to go to swimming pool everyday and will no doubt miss it when they get home.

As mentioned earlier we decided to host a dinner party for all and we had roasted chicken with veggies and also apple tart and chocolate eclairs for the kids to celebrate the birthday girls. We had a nice evening all wrapped up due to the cool and wet weather but it did not spoil our enjoyment thank heavens. At around 9pm the kids went to bed and we sat up for a short while catching up on the days world events which actually make dismal reading what with a war ongoing in Russia and Ukraine which I wish would end soon as it will not ever achieve anything.  Have also watched with interest the war over Coutts Bank with Nigel Farage and glad that he has proven his point.

We have now changed our ferry booking as when we booked many months ago we did not know when we would return after some French Sightseeing but have delayed our trip home by a few days but now looking to book a Hotel at St Malo the night before our sailing so as to not to need travelling a great distance and missing the sailing.

Ah well this part of the holiday ends on 3 August when we all leave the Camping des Menhirs in Carnac and head off all in different directions