Monbert

This morning at Fresnay Sur Sarthe, we were surprised by the early morning chill, a reminder that summer was slowly slipping away. We left around ten, with most of our journey passing through acres and acres of fields, now brown and bare, after relinquishing their crops. In one, small town, a ladies clothing shop displayed its wares on mannequins outside. But really, a red basque with suspenders, in the heart of agriculture!

Around lunchtime, we stopped in a bustling town, to take a look at a stall selling live fowl. Cute, soft, fluffy geese, chickens, guinea fowl and pheasants. All of the birds looked in very good health, and sat patiently in their cages waiting to be bought. A young couple bought some of the chickens, but their daughter of around three years old, would have liked a cuddly yellow goose chick.

Shortly after, we stopped for lunch at a lovely picnic spot in a small wooded area in the town of Angrie. Before we left, John gathered some dry wood for the barbecue we would be having this evening.

Before arriving at Monbert, we stopped to photograph a restored windmill, and then called in at a supermarket to buy a camembert and weigh our gas cylinder. Yes, that's correct, after communicating through Google translate, the lady on the customer services desk, said we could weigh our gas cylinder on the fruit and vegetable scales, it's the only way to tell how much gas is left in the cylinder, and as we are not sure how easy it will be to buy a replacement in Spain or Portugal, quite a bizarre, but important exercise.

Arriving at Odile's and Philippe's campsite, we were surprised how busy it was. But a place was found for Marge under the trees. Shortly after arriving, we walked into town, noticing how arid the ground was, and how much the water had receded in the fishing lake adjacent to the campsite.

This evening has been both relaxing and enjoyable, although Odile did seem a little bothered by the height of the flames as John lit the barbecue. We know he has previous with the fire brigade, but on this occasion no need to call the Pompiers. Whilst our food was cooking, we talked with an Englishman, who said how nice it was to now be able to afford good French wine, unlike when he was younger. In our case, cheap, low alcohol wine reigns for Angela as the driver of Marge, save the good stuff for home! Our neighbours opposite on the campsite, were a couple in their seventies, he slightly eccentric. As the gunshot of a cork popping rang through the trees, he proceeded to tell his wife "that the fish should take fifteen minutes, and then to plate up' Her reply, " Why don't you b----r off! Always excellent entertainment, older person, alcohol and in this case, the cooking of fish! Thank god for these characters, we couldn't write this blog without them.

Our first exchange library found on this trip. On a walk into the village by the side of a lake miles from nowhere!

Fresnay Sur Sarthe

Whilst partaking an early breakfast at McDonalds this morning, there was talk all around about Boris and Brexit.

Back at the queue for the car ferry, it was evident the school holidays had ended, the average age of most of the travellers being around seventy. As usual, the crossing to Dieppe, was uneventful and boring, added to, by a couple who criticised everybody they knew in loud voices. You just knew that when they were with these people, they would be all ingratiating.

After a drive of just over four and a half hours, with a short stop, where we discovered Marge had a wet floor in her bathroom, from a leak behind the sink, we arrived at tonight's destination just after seven, grateful, we had grabbed some bolognese from our freezer to heat up upon our arrival. Tonight's aire is by the old railway station. The land that once belonged to it is now an Ecole de Cirque, with a big top at its entrance.

This evening, we took a walk out into the town, with its quaint medieval chateau and pretty cottages, back-lit by a peachy pink sky. By nine o' clock it was dark, and a chill was in the air, a stark difference to when we were away in June.

Tonight we look forward to a quiet, restful sleep, as last night we had to endure the engines of the lorries and their refrigeration units.

Tomorrow we hope to be at Monbert, staying once again at Odile's and Philippe's small campsite in the countryside, near Nantes. After a long day of travelling today, we are looking forward to our holiday beginning properly tomorrow.

Jacob Rees-Mogg spotted hiding on a carved panel of the church!

Newhaven

O.K. blog followers, get ready to shake, rattle and roll, Marge is on the road again, this trip, destination Portugal. Life can take you anywhere, if you seize the day.

At three thirty this afternoon, we left our home in Longwick, taking a last look at the garden, which has demanded many hours of our time over the last two weeks, to prepare it for our absence. The falling apples, a reminder that it is now late summer, and that when we return in November, winter will be upon us.

On route to Newhaven, we reminisced on the same date last year, when we sat off in Marge 1, heading for Spain, we knew after that trip, that we would want to return again and again to Europe, to explore and discover. Despite worrying times, we hope travelling there will be fairly easily in the future.

Changes are already happening though, this year, we have had to buy driving permits for France.

This evening we walked out by the water to The Hope Inn. Moored in the shallows, was a huge platform, which will be used to site wind turbines at sea. As we approached it, it seemed that it was sited in the car park.

Nearby, we spotted a young seagull, which was trapped by some fishing line it had swallowed, and now caught on a wooden structure high above the water. It frantically tried to free itself, to no avail. Despite being a nuisance, and known as flying rats, no one wants to see a bird or animal in distress, so John telephoned the R.S.P.C.A.

We then went into the nearby pub for a meal, expecting a man or woman to turn up in a small van with R.S.P.C.A. on the side. Time went by, and the lifeboat came by, surely not! But it passed by not noticing the bird. Suddenly, blue flashing lights bounced around in the dimming light, and low and behold the fire brigade arrived. After taking a look, it was decided a seagull in distress was not worth the risk to their lives. They spent a good hour, watching it struggle to free itself, and then left. Goodness knows what the cost of dispatching the fire brigade was, perhaps we'll find out John, they've got your name and mobile number!

Tomorrow morning, the ferry leaves at nine, so we'll be in France by two o' clock. Our aim is to be over near Nantes by Friday, and head to Northern Spain quite quickly.

Cheltenham Race Course

At the pub this morning, the young man cleaning out the animal pens, came across to chat. He intended to buy a long wheeled base Mercedes sprinter van, and convert it himself. He told us, for the last two years, he had been studying trading on the stock market, and that on the wall at his home, he had plans and information regarding building his van. We told him, just buy a van, and set off!

Today we are at Cheltenham racecourse, for a German based VW beer and drinking festival. Today's entertainment, tribute acts. The festival, has been on since Thursday, and the highlight was Saturday night, when the punters dress in Lederhosen, and sing German beer drinking songs, whilst drinking copious amounts of alcohol. When we arrived at the campsite this morning, the couple behind, were sat outside their van, still dressed in their Lederhosen!

After a couple of trips around the exhibitors stalls, we returned to Marge for lunch. All around us, the ritual of 'packing up the van' was going on. We were astonished at just how much some people packed into their small T4/5/6 vans. That's the great thing about Marge, she turns up, and is ready to go, and when it's time to leave, a turn of the key, and she's off.

Just after five thirty, this afternoon, Kylie, and her backing singers appeared on stage, (a tribute act of course). We'd never seen so many men, including members of the crew and security staff, surge forward in one go. It's amazing the effect, three semi-clad young women can have. Outside the marquee, there were a lot of dog faced wives and partners!

Later this evening, we will return to the marquee for the headline tribute, E.L.O.

We have had a good couple of days away, and are reminded of a slogan we saw on a van in Cheltenham yesterday.

'Don't count the days, make the days count!'