Dad's map above does not include our weekend in Barcelona, Spain.
The distance traveled is just under 2,500 miles.
Saturday 30 May 2015
Caught train from Paris to Rouen to meet Dad & Marjorie, then drove to the beaches of Normandy, stopping at key WWII military points of interest. Had a fun picnic on the banks of the river in Deauville en route to our lovely B&B in Hermansville.
Drinks (Leffe €4 on BPI) at Hermansville.
Sunday
Went from Sword (Britain) to Omaha (USA) beaches before visiting the Omaha war memorial which was very informative, moving & well worth a visit.
Then drove to Oakview Lake to visit Martin & Shirley Barker.
Monday 1 June
After breakfast we went for a bike ride through the beautiful French countryside through the nearby villages.
The front of Oakview Lake residence after bike ride.
The rest of the day was very relaxing, enjoying the Barkers' wonderful hospitality.
Special thanks to Martin & Shirley for their wonderful hospitality.
Tuesday
Drove to Ansac sur Vienne, to another lovely B&B, after stopping for picnic lunch.
Wednesday
Did a tour of Oradour sur Glane which is where the Nazis massacred all 643 people, including 193 children, on the 10 June 1944, 4 days after D-Day. The villagers were rounded up & sent to 5 different areas then burned to death. The ruined village has been left exactly as it was as a very somber memorial to what happened in the war.
Arrived at Peter & Kate's house near Broquies to a very welcoming tandoori BBQ.
Stopped on the way to buy some Leffe Brune & Triple beers at the supermarket which worked out at €0.82 each on the BPI. Triple have a bit of a bite at 8.5%. Dad is now a converted Leffe drinker.
Thursday
Went for paddle with Peter & then Jane on the Tarn River which was amazing. Great weather, beautiful scenery & gentle rapids, other than one chute at a weir that was a bit of an adrenalin rush. Then had a lovely picnic in a walnut grove.
Peter, Kate & Luc before our paddle
Chased by a white swan who charged at us 5 times before finally giving up.
Going down the chute with Peter (extract from Gopro footage).
Paddling with Jane after the weir & chute.
Footitt family
Special thanks to Peter, Kate & Luc for making us feel so welcome.
Friday
Drove to the Societe Cheese Factory in Roquefort, & went on an excellent tour around it that included an animation, a video, a sound & light show, exhibits, a museum & tastings. Had lunch with David & Marielle, friends of Roy & Marjorie.
Visited the Millau Viaduct, which is the tallest bridge in the world.
Miniature model of the Millau Viaduct
Saturday (Spain)
Caught train from Beziers to Narbonne & then Spanish TGV to Barcelona, which was a spectacular journey along the southern coast line of France to Spain.
Explored the area & discovered nearby the wonderful Barcelona Arena shopping mall, which was an old bull fighting ring, then gave myself a hectic haircut.
Placa de Espanya from top of Arena Mall
Celebrated my birthday by going out to dinner & had snails & sangria, as I did 32 years ago in Barcelona on a Contiki tour.
Barcelona has just beaten Juventus in the UEFA Champions Final and we can hear all the celebratory fireworks.
Caught the Barcelona Turistic hop on hop off bus which has 3 routes (red, blue & green). Very impressed with the symmetry of Barcelona, its cleanliness, & its melding of old & new.
They were working on Gaudi's Cathedral 32 years ago when I was last here & they still have plenty to do. Apparently Gaudi's response to when it would be finished was his client (God) was in no hurry. Gaudi died in 1927 after he'd been hit by a tram!
Barcelona beach was packed (topless & total nudity on display). Had Seafood Paella for dinner on the beachfront. The local draught beer is Estrelle Damm & the double malt (€3) was damn tasty!
Got caught in the exciting Barcelona FC victory parade down the Main Street in the evening. Dishing out flags for the parade.
Monday
Back on the hop on hop off bus red route to visit primarily the Olympic Stadium (1992) & one of the 7 Barcelona beaches in the city.
Overlooking the most popular cruise port in Europe from the start of one of the cable cars.
Beach by the Olympic Village which is now an upmarket suburb (spot the Bond babe in the pink costume)
Bottom of the famous La Rambla street with the Christopher Columbus statue behind us. If he's pointing at the U.S., he's pointing the wrong way!
Tuesday (back to France)
Caught TGV train to Montpellier to meet up with Dad & M in France.
Spent the night in Aix en Provence en route to Caille.
Wednesday
Entertaining day with George & Mildred zigzagging toll roads & doing u turns making George dizzy.
Stopped midday at Fragonard Perfume Factory in Grasse.
Drove up the mountain to Caille where David & Chantal (Marjorie's other son) lives. View from the balcony.
Thursday
Went to see David Foottit's lovely new house in Tourettes & had a swim.
Friday
Chantal drove us to Grasse to catch the train to Monte Carlo. In the double decker, we had great views of the French Riviera coastline, including Cannes & Nice (amongst others). It was very exciting to follow the Monte Carlo Grand Prix race track through tunnels & u bends. We also saw the changing of the guard at the palace, the most famous casino in the world & were hugely impressed at the general beauty of a principality that is only 2 square kms.
View from the Palace overlooking Monte Carlo.
The boat, Mayflower J, that David skippers in Fontvieille Port, Monaco.
Special thanks to David, Chantal & Sophie for their hospitality.
Drove to Grenoble for overnight stay through fields & fields of lavender. First part of the journey was through mountain passes.
Stopped at a quaint village called Sisteron for lunch. It had a really impressive citadel, towering mountains with wonderful vertical fissures & a (muddy) river. It was market day, so we wandered round the stalls & enjoyed a crepe.
Sunday
Drove to Troyes on toll roads to reduce journey from over 9 hours to 5 hours. Stayed at Best Western Hotel de la Foret d'Orient (which had a spa & Jane had a leg wax, which she was VERY happy about!!!)
Drove to Dunkerque to catch the DFDS ferry to Dover.
Stopped for lunch at one of the motorway service stops & found Paul's Restaurant.
Bonny White cliffs of Dover!
Stopped at a pub near Sevenoaks for an English dinner.
