La Flotte, Ile de Re, Charente-Maritime

This morning we left a rainy Rochefort early, excited about going to the Ile de Re less than an hours drive away. The aire at La Flotte where we like to stay is very popular so we were keen to arrive by late morning.

As we drove over the bridge that linked the island to the mainland the sun split the clouds. We've certainly had some mixed weather on this trip, and for a while it hasn't been too sunny and warm, so the warmth of the morning sun was very welcome.

Margery secured on the aire, we took the short walk into town to the market where we were hoping to pick up four small potato boxes.

We already have two in the van, and could do with a few more to put on the shelves in the cupboard in Margery's kitchen area. Sadly, potato sales were low, and no boxes were available. We will visit the market again tomorrow in hope of better luck. At the harbour we stopped for refreshments. We love to sit here and people watch.

A bride walked by, hair and make up perfect, her father holding her beautiful ivory dress up from the ground. Only on France would you see this.

A young man busked playing a Chapman stick, a twelve stringed electrical instrument. He was here last time we visited and is very good. We put some coins in his hat to show our appreciation. The sun now in charge we walked along the coast stopping at an oyster farm to view the items in the vending machine outside.

Can you imagine being able to buy a dozen oysters from one of these in England. And to accompany your oysters, two lemons for two euros. Walking further on, lizards basked on hot rocks and the tide silently crept in, wave patterns heading for the shore.

We sat a while listening, watching and enjoying. The Ile de Re never disappoints, which is why we keep returning here.

Rochefort, Charente-Maritime

We forgot to mention that when we stayed the night at Mimizan, we did something in Margery for the first time. Curb those thoughts please. As we were in a car park near the town we didn't put the pop top up, but slept downstairs. A little tight, but doable. And at the Bordeaux campsite this morning, Angela did something for a second time on this trip. Used a hairdryer. Honestly, the little things really do make a difference. We packed up quickly this morning, happy we'd spent time in Bordeaux. As always it had been wonderful. Our next stop Rochefort. We are now slowly making our way up towards Cherbourg, and from now on will probably stay at places we've visited many times before.

Rochefort is an interesting town, it's Transporter bridge easily visible as you approach the town. Yet another night on a campsite. Cost 13 euros. Bargain. It's a shame English campsites can't be more affordable. The Viva Espana food truck turned up in the evening, but it's selection was so vastly overpriced we did our own catering as usual. 

Keen to keep our step count at a minimum of 20,000 a day we walked around the town.

Tomorrow we will head to La Rochelle and cross the bridge to the Ile de Re. We just love it there.

What a treat to see a Bee Orchid growing on the verge when we walked to the supermarket. 

Bordeaux, Aquitaine

Angela was excited today. We were going to Bordeaux. Her favourite city in France. After spending twelve nights here last year waiting for some gas struts for Muddy Marge's pop top to arrive from England, we got to know the city well. The sun shone and just after twelve we were booked on the campsite and on our way to catch a tram into the city, where upon our arrival we came upon a large brocante.

A French antiques market is totally different to an English one, saying that twice we came across some Ercol dining chairs...grossly overpriced.

A fantastic Thai lunch, and a walk along the fabulous waterfront, stopping at the brilliant outdoor shop to discuss rucksacks before stopping at a little Scottish cafe called 'McDonald's', for coffee and iced tea before walking some more, stopping to watch a Fred Olsen cruise ship set sail, slowly navigating it's way under the Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge, of which a section rises to allow the ship to pass under.

This manoeuvre drew a large crowd. Were we all waiting to see if it would hit the bridge? After eight hours of walking around Bordeaux it was time to catch a tram and return to the campsite.

Angela always feels sad to leave Bordeaux, but she knows we will probably return again next year. This evening as we wave to the security man, who we met on our first visit to the campsite ten years ago we look back on our travels since then. In a week we will return home, then within two weeks we should be on our way to Scotland in our other camper, Muddy Marge. And after that there are more adventures to look forward to. In the words of John Lennon. ' Life is what happens when you're busy making plans'.

John also tried out a electric bike (a new version of the Brompton the G-Line with it's larger 20 instead of 16 inch wheels) for the first time, and was quite shocked! Maybe try again in a few years time!