Clumber Park, April 2017

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Set off on the Sunday midday for Clumber Park, Heather and Steve had stayed the previous cheese night and left around mid morning 11ish. Â Actually we had a false start as got to Bicester and Jacqui realised she had forgotten her new walking boots, so turnaround and picked them up, this delayed us a bit still traffic was light.

Uneventful journey and this time we decided to follow the CMC directions rather than the Sat Nav’s. Â Parked up at pitch 156, quite busy but plenty of available pitches.

Basically sat in the sun and had a G&T, then dog walk, dinner, watched Sully and OK film  and bed.

Next day, breakfast coffee, dog walk longish trying though to keep them to 2 miles for Geza’s sake although he seems to be getting stronger and we had to help get in the van  initially he can manage by himself.  Nicely tired dog so bikes unloaded and off for a ride round Clumber Park estate, very easy 7/8 miles.  Clumber Park wardens make a great thing about theft and bikes especially providing a bike lock up, we decided to just put them away each night covered up.

That evening I managed to format our movies drive a simple thing to do when attached to the TV and just shows why you cannot be too careful (dickhead)! Â Also with the internet there being truly awful we were forced to rely on TV this was for the first time sporadic so we invested in a TV cable 15.00 for 25m aerial lead.

So far have really enjoyed the site so we decided to stay on for a 3rd night, it was very pleasant sitting outside watching world events unfold with a refreshing drink to hand.

The big event for me was meeting Eric of Eric and Shazza fame, whose blogs I have read avidly for the last 2 years. Â Really nice to speak to him and see that they are still hankering after touring again in a couple of years.

We left the site with nothing booked but a plan to head on to Bourne and then Sandringham.

 

Aire at Rugles

Aire at Rugles, quite tight car park, again Starred site.
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Woke in Sainte-Maure-de-Torraine, picked up the bread, emptied all water and filled up with retasted clean water took ages. Geza and Jacqui had been up every hiyrs as he had been vomiting and diarrhoea, last vomit was at 5am. Since then just watery diarrhoea, bit concerned by him but he was still drinking some water so we were happy to let it runs it’s course.

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St Maure De Torraine

Clear Sky, 16°C

St Maure De Torraine

Private campsite, 4 euro then prices for everything else, very quiet. Costs us 11 euro with a good baguette. Water OK! Free WiFi very good. Caretaker very friendly.

Stopped after visiting the vet (Dr Sylvie, 17 Rue de Robinerie) in the town which looked good, big Intermarche, small superu and lots in between. Dog cost 25.66 Inc tablets so very reasonable.

Dog walks possible woods and country lanes, also able to long walk into town.

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Meuzac

Clear Sky, 16°C

30 Rue Notre Dame

Meuzac, Starred aire by the lake free, water however was tainted fluoride again. Good God walks round lake easy access to town bugger all in it boulangerie, boucherie, bar tabac, closed restaurant time of year.

Dog barked all night, not Geza, it was in the residential area behind us.

Needed blocks, only us when we arrived but very popular, so park defensively, best spot by the bins just back from them or by the posts near the play ground.

Restaurant bar by the lake but closed out of season.

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Caumont sur Gironde

Clear Sky, 25°C

Caumont Sur Gironde

Left Gastes about 1100, stopped at the local shop, only open in the morning. Picked Caumont sur Gironde as it has a Rose Mark, again very pretty. Met a British couple 3 weeks into their 1 year tour, lucky people.

Very hot so spent most of the day sunbathing and chilling out. JACQUI has a headache and is a bit snappy but she cannot help it, without the puffer.

Phoned a vet booked him in for Thursday 3pm we think, with Dr Sylvie insurance Saint Maureen de Torraine, so has idled another Rose Mark site for tomorrow Meuzac. We shall see.

Walked into town nothing Nada, no shops, bread machine though, may try it tomorrow??

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Gastes

Decided to look for an aire so picked Gates as it has a Rose Mark, only about 10km away, but quick journey even including the stop at the Intermarche.

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When leaving the campsite L’arbre we went to see the lake also the Aire virtually on the lac. Seemed fine and other than a pool can see no reason to use the campsite.

Gastes, was next to small marina with cycles paths next to it, bar down the road (closed). Entry is by french CB card only or cash 4.50 euro for the day, 2 toilets, waste and fresh water very good.

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Camping L’arbre dOr

Clear Sky, 25°C

Parentis En Born

Left Spain with sun shining or will be later, decided to head France and a one of the lakes Camping L’arbre d’Or, arrived just after 1400 as the receptions was opening there was a queue to book in, it was recommended by Acsi, camping cheques etc.. so must be good. The camping cheque was the cost for one night it was smallish site good pools and a bar (closed).

Told to pitch where we wanted, so drove round all the trees need cutting back as the roof got a good brushing, there were a lot of free pitches but it was tricky to work how they aligned. Eventually we decided on one away from everyone else, turns out it was not a pitch but it was big and we were happy-ish.

That evening we had a large piece of pork a bit like cote de porcelain, tried out 3 BBQ, cadac, buzzler and an instant. Not going to use instant again.

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Camping Municipal Le Galan


Light Rain, 17°C

Camping Municipal le Galan

Left campilo a bit late and and a long drive, ahead we headed for a Hyperu which we were sure would have a knife sharpener, fire lighters, wine and loads of other essentials.

Stopped and had a coffee via the inverter fantastic even if I say so myself, bloody fantastic!!!

Drove through rain and drizzle for most of the day, when we arrived the rain had stopped and although cloudy it was warm sat outside drinking and snacking prior to a meal of Peallea (??) almost OK.

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Campilo in Aubigny

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Overcast Clouds, 16°C

Bit overcast, light drizzle in Mamers. Decided on long trousers. Set off after topping up water, big mistake. Then headed off to Superu for wine, meat, bread, diesel and lpg.

Superu decided anyone 3m in height should not be allowed to use their garage, Jacqui was not keen on checking the height as I bravely drive onwards, so we bottled it and went to the Intermarche. Much better huge canopy and an easy LPG top up, I think the French system is much better than UK clamps on easily fills easily and is removed easily.

Then we sat in the car park for an hour whilst I swore and did some work, eventually getting a reasonable connection.

It was at this point we found out our mistake with the water the 20 litres from Mamers was heavily fluorided tasted foul. So no coffee or tea, or rather 2 cups of coffee blaming the kettle then finding it was the water.

Of to the Intermarche 5 bts wine, water and nothing else Intermarche the supermarket of last choice, unless it is fuel.

Set off at about midday for Campilo in Aubigny, long drive mainly toll roads stopped at the Aire de Baunes, it was OK. Arrived and checked in at 16euro Acsi rate, dicked about with the water emptying then refilling again.

Pitch is wide grassy, bits of shade, shooting heard all around, good wifi, v.small bar, pool lake for fishing. Bit in the middle of nowhere, but very quiet and if weather good would be tempted to stay.

Not decided where to head tomorrow but hopefully towards the coast via a SUPERU or Carrefour.

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