St. Nicolas D' Aliermont

Last night, Marge was discreetly parked behind a house with an overgrown garden, in which was an apple, cherry and walnut tree, which overhung the fence. John was wishing it was October, when the walnuts would be ready to harvest.

Today there was a sombre mood in Marge. We'd have had such an adventure. In the words of the Queen song, 'don't stop us now, we're having such a good time'. Marge has been our home for the last nine weeks. She has kept us safe and secure, despite some doubting moments. Each day she requires a quick brush and wipe round. We've even got used to the simplicity of handwashing our clothes every two days, and we now don't find it such a chore. When we return home tomorrow, our outlook on life will be a little different we think.

As we left Honfleur this morning, we headed towards the Pont de Normandie, a large suspension bridge crossing the river Seine before it enters the sea. We have walked, cycled and driven over this bridge before, and each time you feel a little excited and exhilarated. Our destination for lunch, was the coastal town of Saint Valery en Caux, but there were restrictions for campervan parking everywhere, despite the town being quiet, and most of the parking spaces empty. So we ended up, in the car park of a school on the edge of the town. You would think, they would encourage visitors to spend in the local community, not drive them away to another town!

On route to tonight's stop at St. Nicolas D' Aliermont, we had to take a diversion. Stood at the side of the road, was a man around eighty, wearing a T-shirt and coloured lycra shorts, with a picture of a sunset covering his credentials. We have noticed, age has no boundaries when it comes to fashion, and with the French, anything goes!

Tonight's aire, is where we stopped last September, after arriving on a late ferry. It was dark, wet, and we didn't have a clue where we were. But this evening, the sun is out, so is our awning and chairs. We have bagged the end spot, so we have our own private garden, which has obviously annoyed the Germans who have just driven in, and straight out, realising we had the prime spot!

Next to us is a friendly French family, the lady, speaks very good English.

We walked into town, our last afternoon stroll of this holiday, passing a cockerel in a nearby garden. That's our morning alarm call sorted then!

The town has a clock museum, but we didn't go in, just photographed Angela outside by the sign.

Also an interesting church.

The main bulk of our expenditure has gone on Marge, and after a tot up this afternoon, we were happy that her fuel bill was a 'little' less than we thought it would be.

Around ten thirty tomorrow morning, with a little sadness in our hearts, we will drive into Dieppe, to catch the lunchtime ferry back to England. We have already started looking into where we might stay in Portugal, when we return in September.

The immediate problem when we arrive back in Newhaven, will be, can Angela drive Marge on the left hand side of the road? If all else fails, she'll use the driving skills of the Italians!

Honfleur

Last nights pizzas were delicious, and the pizza chef, kept giving us the thumbs up, whilst we ate them. So pleased was he with our order, that he asked one of his regular customers waiting in the queue, to deliver them across to us. This must have been the shortest home delivery ever, all of six metres.

After, we walked down to the shoreline to walk of the excess, and to photograph the remains of the Mulberry harbour, some of which, with the tide now low, lying out of the water. In the half light, there was something a little daunting about these concrete structures, who if they could have spoken, would have had some stories to tell. Returning to Marge, we hoped the smell from the colossal amount of seaweed on the nearby beach, which had found its way into the van, would dissipate as we drove tomorrow. The French would probably say. "We'll clean up our beach, when you tidy up the harbour you left behind!"

This morning, we watched the tractors, some dating back to the 1930's, tow the fishing boats down to the nearby beach. Following them down, we took a final look at the sea, and the harbour, before setting off.

Our lunchtime stop, was at Pegasus Bridge. As always, it was busy, mostly with English visitors.

Tonight's stop is at the pretty, but rather too popular, harbour of Honfleur. A late afternoon walk, proved this, but some tranquility could be found in a public garden, with stunning flower borders, trees, and, pond, complete with grotto.

Back in the town, a flea market was taking place outside the fifthteenth century church of Saint Catherine.

Built by French ship builders. One of the stalls on the market, was selling mid century items, which obviously drew John's eye.

Just one more day before we board the car ferry back to England. Where has the time gone? We have definitely lived in the moment these past few weeks, but now our thoughts are with all the appointments, jobs and problems, we have waiting for us, from the moment we return home.

Tomorrow, with wine already bought, and Marge once again fully fuelled, we will take a slow drive to the aire just outside Dieppe, ready for our lunchtime sailing on Tuesday.