Carpark, Route du Phare, Reville, France

No animosity on the campsite this morning after England beat France at football last night. We think the French were not interested in seeing who would be awarded third place, and to be honest we felt the match wasn't really necessary either, obviously for financial reasons, Fifa did. Really, at this stage of the tournament it's all about the final two teams. This is our last full day in France, and despite a very late night we left relatively early this morning wanting to head right up to the north coast of the Contentin peninsula. 

A lunch stop at a pretty village by yet another picturesque church and then we proceeded onto Le Goeland Plage at Jonville, just near to Saint Vasst la Hoque to park overnight for free right by the beach.

Live music was on at the nearby restaurant.

(You can check them out on YouTube)

 We wandered up to listen, deciding to stay for some drinks and a charcuterie and cheese platter.

The restaurant was busy, so Angela invited five French people to share our table, they showed their appreciation by buying us drinks. No hard feelings over the football then.

camping municipal de la Sélune, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, France

We can't believe that today we have been away from home for sixty days. And before we set off on Marge's Moroccan road trip we'd been in Scotland for three weeks. If we didn't have to return home because of responsibilities, we think we'd just keep driving, especially as Marge hasn't missed a beat in all the time we've been away. We already have plans for next year's travels, but as yet nothing is confirmed. At the moment, it's 'destination unknown'. We were sad this morning to leave the Loire river. Some morning views just stay with you, and this morning was one of them. But we needed to move up the country, and although we didn't leave until almost midday we decided to drive slightly further up to Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouet.

We stayed at the campsite here last year, and not only was it cheap, the town was nice to walk around. It is high season in France now, and the campsite for tonight cost us just under eight pounds. Bargain.

The reason is, they have no swimming pool on site, and are not on the coast. Now we are nearing the end of this trip we decided to treat ourselves to a meal out. The Italian restaurant looked too posh for us, but that aside we decided to give it a go.

Inside, just normal French folk. It was also, surprisingly very reasonably priced, so we treated ourselves to a main course, desserts and coffee. The ice cream menu was extensive, and John, who's still learning the lingo, was surprised to see potato ice cream available. Green apple, actually translates to green apple, potato, well that'll be potatoes!

Motorhome Parking Area, Mauges-sur-Loire, France

It's always with a tinge of sadness that we leave the little campsite at Monbert. It really is a special place to rest and relax amongst nature. Passing a field of cows as we left, we have to say, of all the cows we've ever seen, we've never seen one with pink horns.

Oh well, anything goes these days. We can't believe how quickly our last week is passing by. The time to return to England will soon be upon us, so we must be sure to enjoy these last few days. Originally we planned to return back to England yesterday, but the ferry cost was a fair bit more than we are paying on Monday, probably because it is the start of the school summer holidays. We don't mind, four more days in France, what's there to complain about. The Loire is a particular favourite area of ours, so we headed to a free park up where we intended to spend the night.

Angela immediately remembered it. As lovely as the town was, it was noisy overnight.

So after a pleasant lunch sat under the plane trees we moved on to a little to a camping area right by the river with views across the bridge to Ingrandes-le-Fresne-sur-Loire a pretty little riverside town, which we walked over to for an ice cream.

Because of the ongoing hot weather the river is devoid of most of its water. In the past we've actually seen sections of the river Loire that have been so dry you could walk right across from one side to the other.

This evening, with a storm threatening, we sat and took in the view. This area holds special memories for us from our cycling days. When travelling was slower and simpler. Life before all our various Marges came into our life, not that we regret owning any of them, they've taken us on some fantastic adventures!

Camping Le Relais des Garennes, Monbert, France

As the fireworks took over the skies late last night, sadly the French weren't celebrating a place in the world cup final. Despite this, they were in good spirits enjoying the 'much too loud' music, good food and drink and 'Vive la France'.

Leaving the French to their celebrations we returned to Marge where a singer had been entertaining the campers with Spanish songs. We loved listening to him, clapping and whooping, as the English tend to do when abroad. Well, he needed the support, the French could barely put their hands together. It probably wasn't the best night for this style of music.

Just before midnight we watched the firework displays along the coast and in the nearby town along with others, young and old. After the last burst of cascading light faded into the darkness we all slowly drifted away. One elderly lady appeared to be stuck in her seat. Upon her release her relatives took to inspecting her behind. Not very dignified. Suddenly we hoped we hadn't seen our future!

We have now travelled via Sablone were we cycled through for John's 60th birthday ride to Spain, stopping for an ice lolly at the beach cafe we stopped at 10 years ago!

Then onto Monbert, Angela's little piece of paradise, where we are now settled under the shade of the oak trees.