9 July - back in the UK

Called into the National Trust's Dyrham Park on the way from the ferry port to see how the other half live.

And this is how we live. Chose the pitch under this tree to provide shade!! Unfortunately, we've only had rain, cloud and high winds so far.

7 July - Normandy

John & Rita took us to this wonderful viewpoint overlooking miles and miles of Normandy countryside plus you could see Mont St Michel.
Jane reckons that a new set of tyres plus an afternoon with a tin of T-Cut is all this needs.

Some Cat in all HER glory. Up until today Rita & John thought she was a boy - but on closer inspection.......

6 July - Sleeping in a real bed!

We are visiting Allan's cousin Rita and her partner John in their wonderful Normandy farmhouse. The setting is beautiful - so peaceful. We stayed for two nights and slept in a proper bed. We had a fantastic time there.
The balcony at the rear.

Rita, John, Gnome and Some Cat [its actual name]

2 July - Crime Scene!!

I am the victim of a heinous crime..... I've been collecting French World Cup team fridge magnets every time we make a purchase from a Carrefour supermarket and putting them on the back of the Bongo - ten in all. And some lowlife nicked them! Now all I've got left is the goalie (pictured)who was still in his wrapper in the van.... Not only that but I'm also pointing to the bullet hole shaped puncture in the bumper (Allan has stuck a screwdriver in it to demonstrate) which occurred on the same day. Sacre bleedin' bleu as they say round here.

Rosie and Jim were so traumatised by the whole experience that they immediately moved out into a caravan of their own. It only cost them 5,000 Euros - bargain !

You don't get a view like this at Gloucester Car Boot!

And you don't get puppies for sale either.

An enormous menhir inland from where we're staying - its said to be a rock hurled at the ground by an angry giant though I couldn't figure out why from the information board provided.

Stone age man......

On the way to our new favourite beach, to the east of St Malo - a bit of a trek but worth the effort.

30 June - Dinard - North Brittany

We are now at our last campsite in France, just outside Dinard. This is Dinard beach looking across to St Malo. Dinard was THE place to be and be seen about 100 years ago. Consequently, the rich had villas built along the coast......

.......just like these. They all tend to have stairs giving direct access to the beach for what was then newly fashionable "sea-water bathing" which was deemed to be good for your health. The water here is crystal clear and a beautiful green - hence having the name the Emerald Coast.

We thought we were following the cycle path but obviously took a wrong turn somewhere! You go first Jane, I'm sure it'll be allright!

29 June - Convoi Exceptionale!

We had the misfortune to be stuck behind this for many a mile. Apparently, it's the base of a wind turbine that was being constructed nearby.

We were lucky to be able to find this parking spot alongside the Brest to Nantes Canal. Opposite, is a cafe where we had our morning coffee [and pain au chocolate!].