Newhaven

A last supper in Marge yesterday evening. Our maps and guide books all packed away. What do you think Marge, shall we stay another month? We and our world have changed in the last nine weeks, but we know things will be virtually the same when we return home. Fortunately, we have snapshots in our minds of the many places we have visited, the sunrises and sunsets, and of course all our photographs, and Marge's blog to remind us of our travels.  

It rained heavily during the night, but luckily Marge did not leak on us, for now that problem appears to be cured.

The morning was bright, puffs of cloud hung in the clear sky. Once more we walked around the small town of Ry, kick starting our daily exercise regime.

Not needing to arrive at Dieppe until five o' clock, we planned a stop at Neufchatel-en-Bray, where we purchased baguettes and Pont L'Eveque cheese for eating on the car ferry later.

We then walked along a section of the Avenue Verte, (London to Paris cycle-way), to the town, much of which was destroyed in 1940, now rebuilt.

There was a large fair in town, so it was difficult to look properly at the church and other points of interest.

Walking back to Marge, we saw numerous father Christmas's and garlands of tinsel hanging in a rear garden of a house. A little premature we thought. We wondered if the person responsible for the festive display, had put in a request for a board game on their Christmas list, as we had seen a game every French person should own in the supermarket earlier. 

'Don't Step In It! Unbelievable, that such a game should be for sale in a country rife with dog excrement.

Next stop, Mesnieres en Bray. We stayed at the aire here last year with Marge 1, so knew it would be a nice place for our lunch stop, whilst at the same time making use of the service point. After filling up on pasta, there was time for one final walk out which took us down to the chateau, now used as an agricultural college.

We returned to Marge along yet another section of the Avenue Verte, then cut through a wooded area where Angela slipped crossing a wooden bridge over a stream, and landed heavily on her back, resulting in severe pain in her right elbow and left hand. If you ask John, he'll do an impression of her prone body for you. Would a hospital visit be required? Fortunately after, returning to her upright position, it was established that no bones were broken. Wanting to squeeze every last moment out of our time in Europe, we waited until four o' clock to set off for Dieppe, arriving at the ferry terminal twenty minutes before the final check-in. Just after five, Marge was loaded on board, and John had a chance to get his hands on a much needed Cornish pasty! 

As the sun set, the sky turned from pink to grey. Alongside the ferry, sat a large refilling tanker, with No Smoking signs displayed all over it.

Above, on the car ferry, a lady lent on the handrail puffing on a cigarette. We're pleased to be able to tell you the sky did not turn a fiery red. The ferry was late departing, by now we just wanted to accept we had to return home. Today we had been tempted to have a 'Thelma and Louise' moment, and just go on and on. Passing through the port and starboard lights on the harbour walls, we said a sad au revoir to France. We were sure down on deck six, Marge was a little sad too. As for now, we must direct our thoughts to all the jobs and problems we left behind. Oh joy, we can't wait!

Ry

Success! Well sort of. Yesterday evening, we visited Benny's pizza parlour. Together with Angela's grasp of French, and John and the manager using Google translate, we managed to establish that the offer of two pizzas for fifteen euros applied. Result! Through the same lines of communication we ordered two vegetarian pizzas. Job done, we thought. Not so, when the pizzas arrived one was vegetarian, the other four cheese. But no worries, John really enjoyed the four cheese as it had goats cheese on it. The main thing was we'd manged to secure the offer price. Walking back to Marge, with full stomachs, we commented on how less than a week ago we were still wearing shorts, now we're in long trousers, fleece tops, coats, hats, scarves and gloves when we walk out. But despite a change of weather and clothing, we are still enjoying our travels.

We have developed a passion for it, it has enriched our lives. The American writer Mark Twain once said, " twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover".

This morning we journeyed north to Oissel, a small town sat alongside the river Seine, where we walked out to reduce the effects of last nights pizzas.

Back at Marge, we ate yet another salad, and watched the traditional Seine barges slowly pass by, their bows low, slicing quietly through the waters of the river. The scene was idyllic, until a large white river cruise boat powered by, its throaty engine, shattering the calm, a wake sent out of its stern washed the riverbank clean. Shame, it spoiled the picture we were enjoying of traditional river activity, back dropped by the colours of nature which stretched up from the river into the surrounding countryside.

Mid afternoon, we travelled on to the small Normandy town of Ry, where we stayed with Marge 1 one night last year, and were pleased to return to. En-route we passed a road sign for Paris, and realised it was not that far from us. Fancy a trip to Paris Marge? We could always stop and restock our dwindling food supplies! Back to Ry, located in the Crevon Valley. It is the town, the author Gustave Flaubert, based his fictional novel Madame Bovary on.

With yet more walking required, damn that pizza, we walked around the sites and dwellings mentioned in the novel, and then up the hill to the edge of town to take in the view. 

Hoards of conkers from the horse chestnut trees that hung umbrella like overhead, rolled under our feet. We commented, in our day as children, they would have all been scooped up in plastic carrier bags to be threaded on string or laces, ready for fierce combat and competition with siblings and friends, although most ended up becoming a mildewed mass in the same bag they were collected in, forgotten until the smell they emitted forced your mother to throw them out. Oh well, there was always next year, when we could amass yet more.

The aire at Ry is right beside the tourist office. Marge is the only van.

Outside the office, is a small library, where Angela deposited the ten books she'd read so far. The cupboard the books were in housed in also contained some of the keepsakes we amassed along the way. Goodness knows how we will remember where we gathered them from, but it doesn't really matter. The main thing is, we had the opportunity to do so, and aknow, before we know it, we will soon be collecting yet more.

Nonancourt

After a silent autumn sunrise, lost in the dull grey start to the morning, we were pleased to see at least it was dry. Sadly, last nights pizza did not materialise, the offers displayed on the windows of two establishments, did not seem to apply to the English. We have noticed on this trip, that the French have been a little cool towards us. The effect of Brexit, or just because we're English? Angela, daughter of Marge won't tolerate it, and always makes a point of saying bonjour or bonsoir, depending on the time of day. There's no room for rudeness in her book. 

We left this morning with a little sadness in our hearts. Living in Marge is now familiar to us, and they say familiarity breeds contentment. She has been our home for nearly nine weeks. In that time we have only spent 20.50 euros on overnight accommodation, and that was from choice. As for Marge, we have seen your strengths, when we've made you take the strain. Sorry about all those hills and mountains! What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Don't worry, it's fairly flat all the way now, the terrain mostly acres and acres of agricultural land, divided by a carpet of tarmac road. In the fields of chocolate coloured soil, dozens of flapping, scavenging crows. Suddenly we miss the mountains. They were much more interesting. On route to tonight's aire, we stopped at a small supermarket to buy more wine. Is ninety litres in boxes and twelve bottles excessive? 

At lunchtime we arrived at the charming Norman Town of Nonancourt. Lunch of seeded baguette and pate du campagne, was a real treat, we decided that as our time in France is coming to an end we need to 'go for it', and become a little reckless for a couple of days. We have been very good with our meals for all the time we've been away. We couldn't tell you how many onions, peppers, courgettes, mushrooms, iceberg lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers and olives we've eaten. The important thing, is to not fall by the wayside when we return home and resort to too many ready meals.

On the aire tonight there are two other English vans, which signals we must be near a channel port. We all look as sombre as one another. Wonder why that is?

For now, it's pizza time, hopefully!