Tuesday 18th June 2019
Woken with a start at 6am having forgotten to change or even turn off the alarm clock.
It was however a beautiful morning and so we had an early shower and breakfast and began making good for our move today on to Epernay. We stayed here, at the same site, many years ago and look forward to revisiting.
In the end we didn't get away until 9.30 by which time the sky had clouded over although it remained hot, humid even.
An uneventful journey, we stopped for a comfort break then later for diesel. £1.393 (not €'s) per ltr, I paid £1.249 when I filled up before leaving home.
Midway through our journey the sky cleared and we were treated to unbroken sunshine until well into the evening. We arrived cool enough but with a clear sky and added humidity, by the time we had set up home for two nights we were unatractive blobs of persperation, waiting, and wishing, to be rung out.
Everything takes that much longer when you're tired, and hot and sticky, oh, and old! The heat and humidity really made us feel our age.
The evening meal now out of the way, we're just sitting here watching the world go by and preparing a shopping list for tomorrow before going for that long awaited shower.
Epernay day two
Wednesday 19th June 2019
A lie in this morning, not up until just after 7.30. It had been a warm night and was 19 degrees as we walked to the showers. Suitably refreshed, we treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast.
Today was a rest and replenish day and so by about 10.30am we set off for the local Carrefour. We have always sung the praises of continental supermarkets and this one lived up to our expectations.
Firstly the smell. It's a wonderful mix of cheese, dried meat and a vege come pastry aroma, absolutely delightful. And they're so big! We could, and did, spend more time just perusing the aisles than actually shopping.
Afternoon spent wandering the site, sitting and reading, batteries on recharge. With a temperature of 24 degrees C, blue sky and a hot sun, we avoided all exertion.
A lie in this morning, not up until just after 7.30. It had been a warm night and was 19 degrees as we walked to the showers. Suitably refreshed, we treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast.
Today was a rest and replenish day and so by about 10.30am we set off for the local Carrefour. We have always sung the praises of continental supermarkets and this one lived up to our expectations.
Firstly the smell. It's a wonderful mix of cheese, dried meat and a vege come pastry aroma, absolutely delightful. And they're so big! We could, and did, spend more time just perusing the aisles than actually shopping.
Afternoon spent wandering the site, sitting and reading, batteries on recharge. With a temperature of 24 degrees C, blue sky and a hot sun, we avoided all exertion.
Beaune
Thursday 20th June 2019
Up at 7.30am and, don't tell anyone but, we didn't shower. A quick wash inhouse followed by a swift breakfast then all hands to the final chores prior to departure.
We were away by 9.30am and, with around 200 miles to go until we next put our legs down, glad we got away early.
Little to comment on today. An uneventful journey with just a couple of comfort stops. Occasionally plagued by a strong cross wind which made the caravan swing frighteningly a couple of times.
Following a refreshing shower and a salad for our evening meal we were too tired even to read so watched The King's Speech on dvd. Excellent.
Up at 7.30am and, don't tell anyone but, we didn't shower. A quick wash inhouse followed by a swift breakfast then all hands to the final chores prior to departure.
We were away by 9.30am and, with around 200 miles to go until we next put our legs down, glad we got away early.
Little to comment on today. An uneventful journey with just a couple of comfort stops. Occasionally plagued by a strong cross wind which made the caravan swing frighteningly a couple of times.
Following a refreshing shower and a salad for our evening meal we were too tired even to read so watched The King's Speech on dvd. Excellent.
Beaune, day two
Friday 21st June 2019
Slept well and a little late. Breakfast at 9.30 then showered and dressed ready for the shops by 11am.
Diesel again, £1.227 per litre this time. Great shopping experience in E.Leclerc, a supermarket on a scale not seen in UK, sad I know but we could spend hours just wandering the aisles. Had a shopping list but failed to stick to it.
Rather dull today with just the odd glimpse of the sun. Temperature of 24 degrees C was comfortable as we've lost the humidity.
Bought a couple of sun-loungers as ours at home were too heavy to bring with us. These are much lighter, as is my wallet.
Slept well and a little late. Breakfast at 9.30 then showered and dressed ready for the shops by 11am.
Diesel again, £1.227 per litre this time. Great shopping experience in E.Leclerc, a supermarket on a scale not seen in UK, sad I know but we could spend hours just wandering the aisles. Had a shopping list but failed to stick to it.
Rather dull today with just the odd glimpse of the sun. Temperature of 24 degrees C was comfortable as we've lost the humidity.
Bought a couple of sun-loungers as ours at home were too heavy to bring with us. These are much lighter, as is my wallet.
Lyon
Saturday 22nd June 2019
No urgency to rise early today as we have just a 95 mile drive to our next overnight stop, Lyon.
Our daily mileage to date has been:
To our 1st stop, Bien Assise, Calais, from home, 220 miles.
To Epernay, our 2nd stop, 182 miles,
to Beaune, 3rd stop, 212, and finally to our stop here in Lyon, 95 miles.
With 170 miles to do on Monday, taking us to Salon de Provence, we will be a little short of 900 miles from home.
To give you the full itinerary, we have 13 nights at Salon de Provence after which we drive to Macon, some 170 miles where we stop for two nights, then 240 miles to Paris where we shall stay for 5 nights. 175 miles back to Bien Assise for our final night in France then 220 miles back home on Monday, 15th July, coincidentally, our 52nd wedding anniversary. Whew!!
Back to today. With the usual couple of comfort breaks, we arrived at the camp site just outside Lyon at 2.15pm.
The day had started damp, a little light rain, and just 17 degrees but gradually improved as the day wore on and as we progressed further south. On our arrival the temperature has risen to 26 degrees with clear blue skies.
An odd site that has seen better days but we quickly set up on what was a service pitch, where we're able to connect to the mains water and to a drainage point, plus electric of course.
By 6pm, all available pitches around us were full and we were metaphorically slapping ourselves on the back for getting here early.
In and out, sun, shade, a short walk, back in the sun. This was our afternoon. A light salad later then, too tired even to read, we watched The End of the Affair on DVD. Bed then beckoned.
No urgency to rise early today as we have just a 95 mile drive to our next overnight stop, Lyon.
Our daily mileage to date has been:
To our 1st stop, Bien Assise, Calais, from home, 220 miles.
To Epernay, our 2nd stop, 182 miles,
to Beaune, 3rd stop, 212, and finally to our stop here in Lyon, 95 miles.
With 170 miles to do on Monday, taking us to Salon de Provence, we will be a little short of 900 miles from home.
To give you the full itinerary, we have 13 nights at Salon de Provence after which we drive to Macon, some 170 miles where we stop for two nights, then 240 miles to Paris where we shall stay for 5 nights. 175 miles back to Bien Assise for our final night in France then 220 miles back home on Monday, 15th July, coincidentally, our 52nd wedding anniversary. Whew!!
Back to today. With the usual couple of comfort breaks, we arrived at the camp site just outside Lyon at 2.15pm.
The day had started damp, a little light rain, and just 17 degrees but gradually improved as the day wore on and as we progressed further south. On our arrival the temperature has risen to 26 degrees with clear blue skies.
An odd site that has seen better days but we quickly set up on what was a service pitch, where we're able to connect to the mains water and to a drainage point, plus electric of course.
By 6pm, all available pitches around us were full and we were metaphorically slapping ourselves on the back for getting here early.
In and out, sun, shade, a short walk, back in the sun. This was our afternoon. A light salad later then, too tired even to read, we watched The End of the Affair on DVD. Bed then beckoned.
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| Reception at Camping de Lyon |
Lyon, day two
Sunday 23rd June 2019
Final day of our first week and, having remembered to turn off the alarm clock, we woke around 8am. Our pitch is one of the few not bathed in morning sun which initially brought about a minor resentment but, once showered and dressed, it was a blessing as we cooked our breakfast of mushrooms, plum tomatoes and scrambled egg, all on toasted French bread spread generously with French butter.
It's 11.30am and 25 degrees out there. Like mad dogs and Englishmen, we're off into the city for a stroll around the centre of Lyon, France's second city. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, it is second only to Paris as a tourist attraction. Pity we only have today.
Lyon centre was just under 5 miles from where we were staying and we got caught up in some heavy traffic as we made our way in. Once in the city all was a little quieter and we soon found out how, and where, to park. We spent a couple of hours walking the streets of Lyon in the midst of a Fete. Music, much drumming and youngsters playing some great saxophone.
Back to the Site by 2pm for a late lunch.
Well that's it for our first week in France. As we are away for four weeks the plan is to dispatch this blog once a week. That's the plan.
You will see at the top right of the first page "Our Four Weeks in France" beneath which is week one, week two etc.
That's all folks, more news in a weeks time.
Final day of our first week and, having remembered to turn off the alarm clock, we woke around 8am. Our pitch is one of the few not bathed in morning sun which initially brought about a minor resentment but, once showered and dressed, it was a blessing as we cooked our breakfast of mushrooms, plum tomatoes and scrambled egg, all on toasted French bread spread generously with French butter.
It's 11.30am and 25 degrees out there. Like mad dogs and Englishmen, we're off into the city for a stroll around the centre of Lyon, France's second city. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, it is second only to Paris as a tourist attraction. Pity we only have today.
Lyon centre was just under 5 miles from where we were staying and we got caught up in some heavy traffic as we made our way in. Once in the city all was a little quieter and we soon found out how, and where, to park. We spent a couple of hours walking the streets of Lyon in the midst of a Fete. Music, much drumming and youngsters playing some great saxophone.
Back to the Site by 2pm for a late lunch.
Well that's it for our first week in France. As we are away for four weeks the plan is to dispatch this blog once a week. That's the plan.
You will see at the top right of the first page "Our Four Weeks in France" beneath which is week one, week two etc.
That's all folks, more news in a weeks time.
Week Two - Our Arrival in Provence
Monday 24th June 2019
Up around 7 am, left Lyon at 10.15 with a clear blue sky and temperature of 27 degrees.
An uneventful if somewhat long journey of around 180 miles where the temperature continued to rise as the day wore on, being 33 degrees C on our arrival at 3pm.
First impressions of the site were that it was tired, dusty and a little unloved although, in its defence, we've seen many French sites like this, particularly down south where it's extremely hot.
We registered and found a pitch with a degree of shade and sun that we liked. Again, to be fair, all the pitches were large and had water and mains electric available.
We were unsure whether we wanted to commit ourselves to 13 nights here but thought we would decide tomorrow.
Well, it was the showers and toilets that decided us. No detail necessary, just to say they came well below our acceptable standards. Not unclean, but basic beyond belief. We will see yer man tomorrow.
Up around 7 am, left Lyon at 10.15 with a clear blue sky and temperature of 27 degrees.
An uneventful if somewhat long journey of around 180 miles where the temperature continued to rise as the day wore on, being 33 degrees C on our arrival at 3pm.
We registered and found a pitch with a degree of shade and sun that we liked. Again, to be fair, all the pitches were large and had water and mains electric available.
We were unsure whether we wanted to commit ourselves to 13 nights here but thought we would decide tomorrow.
Well, it was the showers and toilets that decided us. No detail necessary, just to say they came well below our acceptable standards. Not unclean, but basic beyond belief. We will see yer man tomorrow.
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