It wouldn't be a proper French holiday without the classic French dining experience so last night we set out for Moulins, 30km away, for a creperie which Arthur & Merri had set their hearts on.
We found it and asked for a table. We sat for 20 minutes before we were given a menu and a further 10 before a carafe of water was slammed onto the table. At 40 minutes, still no closer to being served we upped and left.
Frustratingly, the best we could do to guarantee quick service for hungry children was MacDonalds. They seemed to enjoy it anyway.
Today we're beginning to pack a few things away ready for leaving in the morning.
We've decided to revisit the Huttopia campsite at Rambouillet that we used last year, so we're quite looking forward to that.
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Friday, 7 August 2009
Camping & Cryptography
Arthur brought his spy kit on holiday so we spent an enjoyable hour on the Caesar cypher and the pigpen code before demonstrating to some French kids how we cracked the Enigma code and won the war for the cheese eating surrender monkeys.
I remembered that we had all we needed for some secret messages so I cracked open the Jif and got Arthur do do sone writing which we set to dry in the sun. I then lit one of the citronella candles and we set about warming the paper to reveal the hidden words.
This covert activity went unnoticed by children of all ages from across the campsite who didn't rush across desperate to have a go, which was good because that meant no second degree burns when their secret messages set alight.
Last night we prayed to St Nav again and headed out for dinner aiming for the Cheval Blanc about 10 miles away. When we arrived it looked... ok. The bar was open but there was no food being served. However, the genial barman said we could leave our car in his car park and visit another restaurant down the street - Le Goût des Choses. We're glad we did because that's where we discovered the meal of our hols. A fantastic Menu Enfant saw Merri eating a beautiful piece of fish with potatoes, whilst Arthur tucked into steak and veg.
Lisa and I had a menu constructed entirely from local produce including foie gras with pigeon, some amazing cheeses, an exquisite lamb dish which look like deep fried mars bar, in a good way, and a delicious mille feuille to close.
I remembered that we had all we needed for some secret messages so I cracked open the Jif and got Arthur do do sone writing which we set to dry in the sun. I then lit one of the citronella candles and we set about warming the paper to reveal the hidden words.
This covert activity went unnoticed by children of all ages from across the campsite who didn't rush across desperate to have a go, which was good because that meant no second degree burns when their secret messages set alight.
Last night we prayed to St Nav again and headed out for dinner aiming for the Cheval Blanc about 10 miles away. When we arrived it looked... ok. The bar was open but there was no food being served. However, the genial barman said we could leave our car in his car park and visit another restaurant down the street - Le Goût des Choses. We're glad we did because that's where we discovered the meal of our hols. A fantastic Menu Enfant saw Merri eating a beautiful piece of fish with potatoes, whilst Arthur tucked into steak and veg.
Lisa and I had a menu constructed entirely from local produce including foie gras with pigeon, some amazing cheeses, an exquisite lamb dish which look like deep fried mars bar, in a good way, and a delicious mille feuille to close.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Majorca sur Loire
We strapped the brolly to my bike and the picnic to Arthur's and set off for the banks of the Loire.
Lisa and Merri followed on foot to join us for some brilliant paddling and swimming. It's a hot day and we've just returned to camp. Arthur has immediately disappeared on his bike and Merri is playing with her toys along with a little Dutch friend in the shade.
We're debating whether to go out for dinner or whether to brave margarita'n'diesel pizzas again.
[little know fact: all Dutch children are called Mattias, Simon or Sara.]
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Mittwoch
Yesterday, we did nowt. Lisa was recovering from her food poisoning.
Today we drove to Decize to take in the sights - est 20 mins. Arthur and Merri spent some of their holiday money on some vastly overpriced tat before we set off looking for lunch.
The area is so spartan that you could drive for days without passing a living soul never mind a restaurant, so we prayed to St Nav who suggested that there was an Auberge in Dornes about 10k west.
When we got there it was all hustle and bustle. Well there was an old lady crossing the road. The bar/restaurant looked basic from the outside, but at least it was open. We chanced it.
We were glad we did. Inside, was an extremely well appointed and contemporary dining room and what looked to be an interesting menu.
We lunched on salmon and sole and chicken supreme for the children. Chocolate ice cream or tiramisu rounded off the meal - which was reasonably priced too.
We headed back to base and to the pool for the rest of the day.
Today we drove to Decize to take in the sights - est 20 mins. Arthur and Merri spent some of their holiday money on some vastly overpriced tat before we set off looking for lunch.
The area is so spartan that you could drive for days without passing a living soul never mind a restaurant, so we prayed to St Nav who suggested that there was an Auberge in Dornes about 10k west.
When we got there it was all hustle and bustle. Well there was an old lady crossing the road. The bar/restaurant looked basic from the outside, but at least it was open. We chanced it.
We were glad we did. Inside, was an extremely well appointed and contemporary dining room and what looked to be an interesting menu.
We lunched on salmon and sole and chicken supreme for the children. Chocolate ice cream or tiramisu rounded off the meal - which was reasonably priced too.
We headed back to base and to the pool for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Le Pals
We had a wonderful day visiting Le Pals, which is a combined theme park and zoo only about 30 minutes down the road.
The car park looked busy when we arrived (where everyone came from in what must be one of the most sparsely populated regions of France I don't know).
Good value, we stayed there for around eight hours mixing up all sorts of rides with the animal enclosures. We haven't a word of complaint. It was friendly, clean and tidy throughout. Queueing times were reasonable, as was the food. There was plenty of shade and a great balance of things to do.
They more or less had to kick us out of the park at closing time. By this time, however, we were starving.
We'd spotted a restaurant on the journey to Le Pals that we thought we might try on the way home. It's a small family concern called La Grenouille only about 10 minutes from the site.
The food was magnificent, the service typically French, i.e. Exhausted children gnawing their own arms off still won't convince them to let you look at a menu.
[brief pause in composition here whilst French fighter pilots strafe the campsite - had to zip up the bomb shelter]
Anyway, when the food came it was a feast. The children shared a lovely pizza with the first home made chips we've ever experienced in France. Lisa and I enjoyed mussels, prawns and local fromage. Desserts included a lovely pear tart, isle flotante and chocolate ice cream.
Arthur and I finished with espressos, much to the bemusement of the staff.
Tired, we left and returned to the site, the children falling straight into bed.
I opted for a new duty of sleeping on the hard floor whilst lisa roiled and sprawled around the bedroom filling bowl after bowl with our magnificent dinner for me to dispose of.
The attraction of carrying someone else's sick two hundred yards begins to pale around 2:30am when you've done it four times wearing only your grundies and a head-torch.
Still, Lisa seems a bit better this morning and I'll get another vertebrate at the marché.
The car park looked busy when we arrived (where everyone came from in what must be one of the most sparsely populated regions of France I don't know).
Good value, we stayed there for around eight hours mixing up all sorts of rides with the animal enclosures. We haven't a word of complaint. It was friendly, clean and tidy throughout. Queueing times were reasonable, as was the food. There was plenty of shade and a great balance of things to do.
They more or less had to kick us out of the park at closing time. By this time, however, we were starving.
We'd spotted a restaurant on the journey to Le Pals that we thought we might try on the way home. It's a small family concern called La Grenouille only about 10 minutes from the site.
The food was magnificent, the service typically French, i.e. Exhausted children gnawing their own arms off still won't convince them to let you look at a menu.
[brief pause in composition here whilst French fighter pilots strafe the campsite - had to zip up the bomb shelter]
Anyway, when the food came it was a feast. The children shared a lovely pizza with the first home made chips we've ever experienced in France. Lisa and I enjoyed mussels, prawns and local fromage. Desserts included a lovely pear tart, isle flotante and chocolate ice cream.
Arthur and I finished with espressos, much to the bemusement of the staff.
Tired, we left and returned to the site, the children falling straight into bed.
I opted for a new duty of sleeping on the hard floor whilst lisa roiled and sprawled around the bedroom filling bowl after bowl with our magnificent dinner for me to dispose of.
The attraction of carrying someone else's sick two hundred yards begins to pale around 2:30am when you've done it four times wearing only your grundies and a head-torch.
Still, Lisa seems a bit better this morning and I'll get another vertebrate at the marché.
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Bread
The storm lasted right through the night and the rains have continued through most of Sunday. No matter, it's nice to have rainy camping day every now and again.
We had a swim in the rain, which is an old family favourite, followed by some team colouring-in, posh cakes and a watch of Harry Potter.
It's drying out and warming up now. Merri is riding her bike whilst Arthur watches the end of the film.
I'm going to place tomorrow's bread order soon as the boulangerie is shut on Monday's so we get orders delivered to the site.
We had a swim in the rain, which is an old family favourite, followed by some team colouring-in, posh cakes and a watch of Harry Potter.
It's drying out and warming up now. Merri is riding her bike whilst Arthur watches the end of the film.
I'm going to place tomorrow's bread order soon as the boulangerie is shut on Monday's so we get orders delivered to the site.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
The Bells
We've been wondering why the local church bells chime the hour and then do it again a few minutes later. Apparently it was for workers in nearby fields (and less nearby I suppose) who missed it the first time. Nice.
In other news, we are in the midst of a massive thunderstorm which has rumbled, flashed and crashed all evening. Very exciting. No major leaks. Yet.
Anyway, gotta go. The wind's getting up and the clock's just struck twenty two.
In other news, we are in the midst of a massive thunderstorm which has rumbled, flashed and crashed all evening. Very exciting. No major leaks. Yet.
Anyway, gotta go. The wind's getting up and the clock's just struck twenty two.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Your life in their hands
We travelled about 90 minutes East and enjoyed the countryside becoming distinctly more Tyrolean as we approached Switzerland. We were heading for Acrobath (www.acrobath.com) which turned out to be bit like Go Ape except with scant regard for anyone's health and safety.
Lisa and Arthur put themselves in danger for an hour or so, whilst Merri and I enjoyed the composting toilet and a warm can of Orangina.
I explained to the proprietor (by writing 'THIS IS A DEATHTRAP!' on a piece of paper for the express delight of her newly arrived customers) that if we were in England I could probably make a phone call and have her shut down within the hour. She shrugged a nonchalent 'bien sur' at me as the hob-nailed boots of a zip-wiring 18-stone father of four skimmed past my ears. Then we left, all aggrieved like.
We returned to Gannay sur Loir to discover a palpable frisson of excitement. Yes, Thursday is the day that the Pizza Wagon rolls into town. The campsite emptied in a frenzied rush to join the queue to place orders. We joined in to be allocated a timeslot for collection some two hours hence.
We returned, two hours later to stand around in a muddled queue comparing pickup times with other campers whilst the chilled-out pizza lady casually dropped the occasional pizza onto the floor whilst speeding other out to locals 'fast-track'-style from the back door of the van.
Still, those 40 minutes stood in diesel fumes won't harm us and the pizzas tasted quite good in the end.
Lisa and Arthur put themselves in danger for an hour or so, whilst Merri and I enjoyed the composting toilet and a warm can of Orangina.
I explained to the proprietor (by writing 'THIS IS A DEATHTRAP!' on a piece of paper for the express delight of her newly arrived customers) that if we were in England I could probably make a phone call and have her shut down within the hour. She shrugged a nonchalent 'bien sur' at me as the hob-nailed boots of a zip-wiring 18-stone father of four skimmed past my ears. Then we left, all aggrieved like.
We returned to Gannay sur Loir to discover a palpable frisson of excitement. Yes, Thursday is the day that the Pizza Wagon rolls into town. The campsite emptied in a frenzied rush to join the queue to place orders. We joined in to be allocated a timeslot for collection some two hours hence.
We returned, two hours later to stand around in a muddled queue comparing pickup times with other campers whilst the chilled-out pizza lady casually dropped the occasional pizza onto the floor whilst speeding other out to locals 'fast-track'-style from the back door of the van.
Still, those 40 minutes stood in diesel fumes won't harm us and the pizzas tasted quite good in the end.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Hot
It's going to be 32degrees plus today, so we're not planning on going anywhere. A morning by the tent (M&A are colouring) and another afternoon by the pool.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Poolside
Arthur's feet are sore so we drove to Moulins, 20 miles away, to buy him some Crocs in a larger size. No chance. Nothing in the centre of town. We were directed to an out of town shoeperstore - a sort of Le Tommy Balls, where we picked up some knock-off Crocs which will have to do.
Anyway, whilst in Moulins we had a thorough look around and exhausted the fleshpots in less than twenty minutes.
We took in a few villages on the way back looking out for potential restaurants. Nowt. France is even more shut than Spain. It's like that mock town they built to test nuclear explosions in the Nevada desert, except at least they had Indiana Jones in a fridge.
We spent the afternoon by the pool enjoying the local church bells striking a selection of random hours every so often in the distance and guessed how long until tea.
Anyway, whilst in Moulins we had a thorough look around and exhausted the fleshpots in less than twenty minutes.
We took in a few villages on the way back looking out for potential restaurants. Nowt. France is even more shut than Spain. It's like that mock town they built to test nuclear explosions in the Nevada desert, except at least they had Indiana Jones in a fridge.
We spent the afternoon by the pool enjoying the local church bells striking a selection of random hours every so often in the distance and guessed how long until tea.
Monday, 27 July 2009
By the pool
We drove to Decize today to pick up my prescription and visit the intermarche. That's the end of our exploring.
We are now sitting by the pool eating our favourite French sweets and reading books. Merri's doing her sticker book.
We have provisions. It may be garbanzos for tea.
Yesterday we walked only 20 minutes from the site to the banks of the Loire. Lovely wide banks... Almost beaches. Had it to ourselves. The kids skinny-dipped and we saw lots of wildlife there and back. We plan to return with a pic-nic.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
1,2,3, testing.
I've figured out that without wifi a single blog post with one photo costs about £3 in roaming data charges! I'm trying one without a photo. If that's too dear it'll have to be postcards!
No wifi
There's no free wifi so blog posts will be short and sweet.
We had a reasonable first night on site despite the local polka band cranking it up loud at 10pm. Honestly, it is culturally still 1954 in France. Although, to be fair, by 1am they'd come right up to date and were butchering Nights In White Satin.
I nodded off eventually only to be woken by the local church bells striking four. Five minutes later, they struck four all over again.
This morning Arthur is playing 'whiff whaff' (table tennis) with the omnipresent Dutch. Meredith is listening to Abba and I'm sitting in the sunshine. Lisa's gone off to suss out local services in case I have another do.
We had a reasonable first night on site despite the local polka band cranking it up loud at 10pm. Honestly, it is culturally still 1954 in France. Although, to be fair, by 1am they'd come right up to date and were butchering Nights In White Satin.
I nodded off eventually only to be woken by the local church bells striking four. Five minutes later, they struck four all over again.
This morning Arthur is playing 'whiff whaff' (table tennis) with the omnipresent Dutch. Meredith is listening to Abba and I'm sitting in the sunshine. Lisa's gone off to suss out local services in case I have another do.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Nous arrivons
We have arrived. The mothership is in situ. We attracted a crowd again.
Right now the kids are in the pool enjoying the evening sunshine and we're thinking about food.
Right now the kids are in the pool enjoying the evening sunshine and we're thinking about food.
Friday, 24 July 2009
I am in House, or La Maison as it's called here
I appear to have fallen over. No clues yet as to why but I'm busy clocking up diagnostics. So far, blood, ECG, ultrasound, X-Ray, Laser tunnel thingy (so House), all inconclusive. Plus Lisa, Arthur & Merri in hotel close-by.
I consider this getting good value out of my travel insurance.
Actually, it's 23.25 French time and I've snoozed all evening - feeling the best I've felt all day. Hope I wake up the same way.
I have not got enough signal for phone calls but just a squeak of data for blogging and Twitter - so it's a useful way of updating people.
However, battery nearly gone and no means if charging now. More tests in the morning and no visitors until 1pm :(
Anyway,tomake everyone jealous, here's a picture of hospital food before Tim Difford (& you know I'm not fussy):
And after my intervention (I should point out that that is my feet under the sheets. I wasn't that excited about creme caramel).
Anyway, they've given me a drop of the hard stuff now, so about to fall asleep. More tomorrow.
Down in one, down in one, down in one.
We're Up... Just
Just up and about. Reasonable night other than a spell about 1am when we had lots of noise for about half an hour when a new caravan arrived.
The tent's very wet so we'll need to dry it when we reach our destination after we've put the mothership up. Don't think we'll hang around this morning.
Sar Nav says it's 3 hours to destination.
The tent's very wet so we'll need to dry it when we reach our destination after we've put the mothership up. Don't think we'll hang around this morning.
Sar Nav says it's 3 hours to destination.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
We're in France
We've arrived at our stopover site south of Paris. Good journey but busy around Paris. Busy site too, but ok. Glad we're only here one night. we're sandwiched between Dutch and French. A bit like Belgium.
There's only 20 minutes free wifi so it's gonna cut off in a
There's only 20 minutes free wifi so it's gonna cut off in a
All Aboard
Well it rained all night, but our plan at staying near to Dover was sound. We're now watching the diving on the flash new Moliere SeaFrance ferry, ready to set sail.
No free data in France so expect less updates until I find free wifi!
No free data in France so expect less updates until I find free wifi!
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Packed
Just the bikes to get on and we're almost ready to go. Pulled a late shift to get the car loaded. It's a neat job. Getting it all back in in the same order is going to be a challenge.
There's more room in the car without Grace, but we'd rather have less room!
So, today is the first day if the holiday and the main challenge will be where to find cake.
There's more room in the car without Grace, but we'd rather have less room!
So, today is the first day if the holiday and the main challenge will be where to find cake.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
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