Category Archives: By Country – France

Arrivederci, Francia – Bonjour, l’Italie

Posted on September 19, 2011 by AdrianC

After leaving Aix, we wound our way along yet more narrow mountain roads towards the gorges du verdon – described, perhaps slightly optimistically, as “Europe’s Grand Canyon”. Not quite sure they live up to that – what could? – but … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, By Country - Italy, Travel stuff | 1 Comment

Expectations versus Reality

Posted on September 8, 2011 by AdrianC

It’s been a most educational leg of the trip, to be honest. It’s not that we’re exactly neophytes at this lark – bimbling along, finding our night’s accommodation as the afternoon starts to turn into evening, and figuring out day-by-day … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, Personal stuff, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Cutting a swathe through Southern France

Posted on September 8, 2011 by AdrianC

So what have we been up to over the last week? I’ll keep this latest installment of the blow-by-blow travelogue fairly brief and factual – we’ve done too much and been too many places to do much other than split … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, Travel stuff | 1 Comment

Oradour – two personal reactions

Posted on August 27, 2011 by AdrianC

Adrian says… Now we’ve been there, what did we find? Well, the broad reality was everything we expected and more. It’s a ghost town, with a terrible story to tell. It does that – with the help of the visitor … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, Personal stuff | 11 Comments

Oradour-sur-Glane

Posted on August 27, 2011 by AdrianC

Early June, 1944. It’s the week after the Normandy Landings. The German Army are desperately trying to mobilise as many troops as possible, to reinforce those attempting and failing to quell the invasion. Troops across all of France, especially the … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, Personal stuff | 2 Comments

On the road again…

Posted on August 27, 2011 by AdrianC

After our extended pause, we’re glad to be back on the road again. We’ve spent a couple of days heading westwards, from John & Steve in the Correze towards Paul & Janice in the Charente. 2cv friends, their house was … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, Travel stuff, Van stuff | Leave a comment

Killing time in the Correze

Posted on August 21, 2011 by EllieGee

We didn’t intend to visit this area other than simply driving through. Our 10 or so days at Sarran, near Égletons – although far from planned – has passed in a most pleasurable and laid back way, tempered by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Culture stuff, By Country - France, Food stuff, Personal stuff, Van stuff | 5 Comments

Are we making your forecourt look untidy? (part 2)

Posted on August 15, 2011 by AdrianC

For part 1 of the saga, see this post… After the van was left at the VW dealer on Monday afternoon, awaiting “diagnosis” and attention, communication dried up somewhat. Throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, we called ADAC periodically – to be … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, Personal stuff, Van stuff | 3 Comments

Out of the Auvergne… and into trouble

Posted on August 15, 2011 by EllieGee

Sunday morning saw us waking up to a rather soggy field after last night’s heavy rain. We strolled down to the farm house to pay for our camping, fabulous value at six Euros! Madame was sitting in a large kitchen … Continue reading →

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Deeper into the Auvergne

Posted on August 14, 2011 by EllieGee

I am writing this while still stranded following our breakdown in the Dordogne (see post ‘Are we making your forecourt look untidy‘) but things are looking up now after a stressful few days of no progress and being without our … Continue reading →

Posted in By Country - France, Food stuff, Travel stuff | 2 Comments