Sunny Saumur

Chris broke his chair last night so today we went to Decathlon in Saumur to try to buy a new one.  Lovely drive to Saumur, beautiful river.

Decathlon was useless; no chairs but I did get new sandals for my very swollen feet!!.....and a watch that we can't change the time on!! Drove to the viewpoint above Saumur and took some great panoramic photos.

Went around about 50 different shops looking for chairs and ice and fridge solutions but no joy!  Arghhhhhh!!!!! The biggest thunderstorm in the world last night - was clear when we went to bed so I left the washing out to dry again.....BIG  mistake!!! 2am woken up by rain and then followed the biggest thunderstorm we've ever known! Dutch couple's awning blew down! Couldn't sleep through it but very thankful we were not in a tent!

La Fortress de Chinon and dragons!

Feet swollen because of the mosquito bites, ouchy! Leisurely morning tidying tent while kids did Maths and English books - their choice honest!  Then went to the fortress de Chinon, 7€50 entrance for Chris and I, kids free again! Fantastic castle.

 

Great remains and dragon exhibition, kids loved finding dragons as we went around.  Lots of steps up and down loads of layers in towers.  Very hot day.  Wine tasting in castle grounds, arrogant vineyard man let us taste red and rose but offered no English at all - bought red and it was very nice.

Great views across Chinon from the top of the towers! We could just about see our tent on the campsite below.

Spent evening talking with Dutch couple from tent next to us - really good company! Talked about loads; lovely couple.  Did washing by hand - hard work, not doing that again when there is a machine on site!  Big thunderstorm overnight, washing all got soaked, what a waste of time!!

Villandry

Mosquito bites!!!!! I am covered, lots of midges here as we're right next to the river.  Went to Villandry Chateau and gardens. Cost 7€ for Chris and I, kids were free, amazing value.  Parked in the aire next to the chateau.

Fantastic gardens and play area for the children.  Beautiful - really impressed.

 
Drove back along river to see Chateau Usse, the Sleeping Beauty castle, and also saw many of the troglodyte dwellings in the cliff faces.

Very impressive.  BBQ prawns for tea, yummy!!  Morgan didn't go to sleep till 10.30, might be a long day with her tomorrow!!!

And relax!

Travel to Loire, 2 hrs
Arrive at a municipal campsite on the banks of the river at Chinon.  Amazing view of the fortress including a blue dragon!

Large campsite but quiet.  Good showers which are very welcome! Fridge finally stopped working and also found LPG for first time after 5 stations advertised but didn't actually have any.  Very friendly site owners and neighbouring campers. Everyone says bonjour, bonsoir etc.

Perfect spot to sit and watch castle at night - lit up beautifully. Solar fairy lights working well!!

On the road

View from the van this morning was beautiful!!

Continue to travel south 4hrs to aire at Marboue, a beautiful location in a park with a river.  Clean toilet, no fee! Fantastic!

Walk around village with kids after tea, very quiet but nice.  Kids loved the park, site was very dusty though!







Du vin, du pain et du fromage!! YUMMY!!!

Day 1!!!!

5am start, kids dragged out of bed but ready and en route by 6am, Calais bound.

Arrived at Dover at 11.15, drove past the garage selling LPG - regretted it!! Fed the seagulls while we were queuing!!

1st grey, rainy day in 4 weeks but sky cleared at Dover.  Great crossing,

2hrs drive to Le Crotoy - an aire in the Sand dunes, 5€ for the night. It's on an estuary beach but the sea was so far out we couldn't see it!!!!

5pm Flo's fridge starts screaming = broken fridge on day one - uh oh!!! Kids loved playing in the pools on beach, then they showered with the pump travel shower behind Flo, great buy!  The estuary mud and water was stinking!!  We weren't the only fire engine in the dunes that night either!!

Sand from the dunes got everywhere and there were  loads of caterpillars that bothered us a bit but overall great 1st night!

Last minute checks

Last minute LPG checks in Chester- all went well. Gas connection also fitted for fridge and hose fixed. 9pm lost van keys.........2hr panic........found in shoe bag, typical us!!!!!