France 2011 part 1

5^th July 2011

Very calm crossing on Monday morning on P&O’s newest boat after quiet (and free) night on Marine Parade in Dover on Sunday.

Got to site at Le Bec-Hellouin, Normandy, about 3.45pm where Sue and Blair had pot of tea ready! Lovely people. Sue had also prepared spaghetti bolognese for our tea so what more could we want – just beers and red wine sitting in sun (and awning shade) for the rest of the very warm sunny afternoon and evening. Sorry!

French motorways – empty! Even better on free sections.

Tuesday – stayed in Bec-Hellouin for second night. Very pretty village-almost too tidy and neat - as if it was for sightseeing but not for living in. Visited the Abbaye Notre-Dame Du Bec – an ancient building with wonderful tunnel-like church attached and magnificent separate bell tower. A monk (possibly!) was playing the church organ. Didn’t actually see anyone but heard pages turning between pieces so assumed it was ‘live’, not a recording! The abbey was founded in 1034 by Herluin, a Norman knight who, in about 1031, left the court of Gilbert, Count of Brionne, to devote himself to a life of religion: the commune of Le Bec Hellouin preserves his name. One hundred and thirty-six monks began their profession while Herluin was in charge. http://www.abbayedubec.com/

Steak hache and squeaky beans for tea (Nat!).

On Wednesday we travelled south-west and stayed night for free at a France Passion place -Domaine de la Tufiere - very peaceful and quiet. The vineyard was established in the 14th century by the local monks and has been managed by Jean Claude and Daniele Coignard since 1972 and owned by them since 1989 – 2006 when they passed on their work to their daughter Clarisse and son Frederic. Its 24 hectares are located in the Beaugeois area of the Loire Valley, between Angers and Saumur. The estate is on a south facing slope exposing the vines to fantastic sunlight and wind offering the best quality grapes year on year. Toured the wine cave with Clarisse, bought some wines and walked through the vineyards.

Pasta and ham for tea.

Friday moved into the Dordogne valley to Beaulieu sur Dordogne and a lovely campsite on an island in the river. Our pitch is next to the pebbly beach! Alison is currently resting in her chair on the beach. The village is in superb condition - there’s obviously plenty of money about (from British tourists some of it) and it preserves much of its medieval origins in its architecture.

Thursday - travelled south-west to a late 1940s-built village called Oradour-sur-Glane. Onthe 11th June, 1944, the Nazi’s destroyed the original village and killed, by various means,the whole of the population-over 600 people, burning their bodies afterwards to try to prevent identification. It was an act of revenge! It was an ‘acceptable’ act of war. The perpetrators were later ‘forgiven’. Didn't feel right to take photos somehow but you can find out more here: http://www.oradour.info/