Yelloh! Village Camping Bordeaux Lac (Day 7)

What should we do today. We've been in Bordeaux so long now we're running out of places to visit.

But there was one place we both wanted to go and that was the world war two German submarine pens which have been repurposed into an immersive arts centre called Des Lumieres.

So another ride on the bus and tram to the city centre. This time it was the Germans we needed to assist. honestly, we'll be qualified tour guides soon. Running until January 2025 The Dutch Masters from Vermeer to Van Gogh, takes you on an artistic journey you've probably never seen the like of. We were mesmerised.

The space, a cold concrete structure built by prisoners of war, some now buried in the concrete structure was softened by the clever use of light projected onto the walls. It felt almost dreamlike, calm and surreal and religious all at once. We loved it so much, we started to watch it all again from the main viewing area and then a circular viewing area where we sat on beanbags.

We don't normally pay to visit attractions, but we were glad we decided to to see this wonderful art space. Once again another day had shot by and before we knew it we were on the tram and back at the bus stop. We waited and waited. A storm nearby worried us, but fortunately it changed direction and we escaped the deluge. At the nearby stadium we could hear the roar and chanting of the football spectators. After two schedule buses didn't arrive one of the Germans took control and approached the driver of another bus, who just shrugged his shoulders in response to the questioning. As the French do. Meanwhile the English, just us, sat comfortably and calmly on the only available seat. What should we do in order to return to the campsite about a mile away? Let's dig three tunnels and call them Tom, Dick and Harry! Our German friends weren't up for it and set of in pairs to walk back. Angela, stopping for the toilet delayed our departure which didn't go down well. We  had to be the first back apparently. We took one couple and arrived in second place. Nothing like a bit of friendly rivalry. As for the missing buses, who knows. Perhaps the drivers were at the football match. Back at the campsite a wedding reception was in full swing at the restaurant.

The live band were very good. We are sited nearby and sat out to enjoy the music. We're not sure if Gloria Gaynor's, 'I will Survive', is really an appropriate song to be sung at a wedding, but the revellers and us sang along enthusiastically and John couldn't resist dancing 'the sprinkler', a move popular at weddings.

One of the videos from todays trip out to Bordeaux, it may take a while to download.

Yelloh! Village Camping Bordeaux Lac (Day 6)

You've guessed it. The package hasn't arrived yet. So we've decided to book onto the campsite now until Monday in the hope by then the gas struts arrive. We now consider ourselves to be on an extended city break! Today we once again took the bus and tram down to the waterfront and visited the old docklands.

(Bike and sidecar tourist trip)

Now home to the smart Cite du Vin wine museum and a trendy food hall. the thunderstorm forecast for one o' clock didn't materialise, so we walked back along the waterfront, stopping for coffee and cake. This end of the city is where the smart shops are. One in particular caught our eye. An outdoor shop. It's range of stock was fabulous. Why can't we have shops like this in England? By late afternoon, back at the tram stop everyone seemed to be on the move. People leaving, and people arriving, all in a hurry. The ride back was particularly uncomfortable. We were able to secure seats opposite a Romanian couple with a very young child who liked to scream. Hearing aids turned off was John's answer to the annoying child. As we slowly made our way out of the city centre the mother whipped out a breast. Well, we'd never seen the like. This is a very large wine region and we'd doubt they'd ever need a cork that size! John, his face the colour of rose felt uneasy, so as soon as the opportunity arose we moved seats. All change at the campsite tonight, still the Germans dominate. But the English cycling couple we'd met at Rochefort, and again last Saturday are here. So we were able to catch up. As yet still no rain, which is great. Somehow though, we have a feeling we may be woken in the night by a storm.

Yelloh! Village Camping Bordeaux Lac (Day 5)

Early this morning the sweet smell of pain chocolate filled the air. But sadly not for us. When we're cycling we wouldn't think twice about eating two or three for breakfast each day. But we're not on a cycling holiday. So eggs and cereal it is for us. We are still playing a waiting game for our package. It has cleared customs, good to know, and is somewhere near Paris. How long it will take to reach Bordeaux who knows? So tomorrow we are thinking of moving over to the nearby coast for a few days and returning to Bordeaux on Monday as the campsite here is around twenty six pounds a night. Once again today was going to be hot, around 26 c. One of the tram stops yesterday had been the Public Gardens, and wanting to avoid the heat of the day we decided to visit.

So bikes ready and lunched packed we set off. What a beautiful green space, with a botanical garden that sadly could have done with some much needed TLC. But overall the park was pretty with lots of shade. So for a few hours we people watched and read. Just before leaving a French lady whose husband had recently died and was going to move to Richmond in England to be nearer to her daughter talked for a while. Did we like Bordeaux. Angela flippin' loves it. Especially the buildings. The lady agreed the architecture was stunning. And to top off our cycle out, just across the road was a bike shop Angela had seen featured on the internet. 'Les Velos de Marge'.

Well we just had to take a photograph didn't we, and not just of us with our Brompton bicycles outside, but of Angela with Marge. Brilliant!

An example of John's all time favourite campervan is near us on the campsite, a Westfalia Florida.

Yelloh! Village Camping Bordeaux Lac (Day 4)

Today we decided to be adventurous and take the bus, then tram into the centre of Bordeaux. We could of cycled, but we wanted to eat out at a restaurant at lunchtime and not have to worry someone might have our Brompton's away. Tom on reception sold us day travel cards, and explained where we would change from the bus to the tram. He also recommended a very good restaurant that served traditional French fayre. We were sorted.

The buses run from outside the campsite every half an hour, and of course we just missed one. Whilst waiting for the next, a French couple came along. Fortunately for us the man spoke very good English. He told us how when visiting England he'd loved, Bath, Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge. well who wouldn't? He showed us where to catch the tram into the centre of Bordeaux and which tram we would need to return. Also where to catch the bus back to the campsite. Travelling by public transport is slow. We didn't mind that. It gave us a chance to take in the sights. what we did however mind were the number of people coughing in a public place. It felt like covid central. Around one o' clock we found the little restaurant near to the synagogue that Tom recommended. Sadly it was closed until next week due to annual holidays.

So we walked down through the Port d' Aquitaine and took a table in the shade at the Pub St. Aubin, where the waiters all wore kilts. It felt like a real tourist trap and we hoped we wouldn't be disappointed. The service was a little Fawlty Towers, but the food was very good, as was the very nice glass of Bordeaux wine Angela of course couldn't refuse. 

Two hours later we were as 'full as an egg' after starters of goats cheese and devilled egg salads, a pizza loaded with serrano ham and a very nice sirloin steak with pepper sauce, salad and fries, with coffee to finish all for around £30.00.

Obviously we needed to walk off the excess, so took a route through some interesting back streets back to the fountains at the Monument aux Girondins. Beautiful. France's Trevi fountain. The temperature this afternoon, 31 C. So you can imagine how uncomfortable the return tram ride was. Today had been a lovely day. We discovered parts of Bordeaux we'd never visited and gone off piste using public transport.

Back at Marge some new vans had arrived, the door open at the rear of one and inside a spare seat for the chemical toilet. Why? That's almost up there with bringing the kitchen sink.