A series of lakes

It’s not raining here but it seems that everywhere else in France is flooded, the sun is shining on the lake and it’s beautiful here.

We’ve managed to sleep ok in the van, when we arrived R had a nap on the bed in the roof,  because we’d parked in the sunshine and the roof is metal it turned into an oven, he came out looking like a cooked chicken and panting like a dog!  Now we’re parked in the shade.

I was a little concerned that the bed would collapse under the weight of both of us and land on the dog, he would be totally flattened.  It has stood up to the weight so far but we’re going to diet just in case!

I’ve not had to use my personal toilet yet but I had to get up at 2.30 this morning, I forgot a torch but took the dog instead, lucky really because I got lost on the way and on the way back and he could find the van.  It probably wouldn’t have made any difference if I’d had a torch, I’m crap at directions!

This morning I had a lovely shower and got dressed into my new pants, there was a hair on them, having had a fresh hollywood I really really hope it came off my head.

Lac Saint-Cyr

 

We did it, we left!   The first row happened before we’d even gone five miles but I’m putting that down to the fact that it was 3am and we were tired.  I’m blaming Thing 2 though because he took my fluffy seatbelt cover off and put it in the glovebox, I thought it was the spare one and put it back in the house, not noticing that mine wasn’t there until we were at Greenham Common, to far to go back (5 minutes away).

The tunnel was efficient and grubby but when we got to France the roads were clear and we remembered to drive on the other side of the road so everything was fine.  We stopped for a breakfast picnic but it was very windy and cold so we had to eat really fast, not quite the most auspicious start to the trip.

We found our first campsite in Poses without incident and went to sleep.  We drank beer and ate a pizza then took Sunny for a walk around the lake. Sunny has been an absolute star, he has slept when we are driving, he’s not a fan of being awake unless he’s on a walk anyway.

It poured with rain this morning so we left straight away to go to the next campsite.  I had GPS co-ordinates but couldn’t remember where we were going because I left the envelope with the plan on in the kitchen.  We found out when we got here that it’s near Poitiers, on a lake that looks like Hofstade in Belgium (where we had loads of swims) and although a bit ‘peopley’ it’s beautiful scenery and has a floating assault course on – if I were thinner I’d go on it.

Can’t go on here on my own I’d look like a weirdo!
Sunny takes a dip

Our beautiful camper van looks a bit like a gypsy camp at the moment so I think I’ll clear it up and take a photo.

12 Hours!

This Marco Polo is marvellous, I keep putting things in it and there is still space for more unnecessary stuff.  Sunny was a little concerned until he saw me put his blanket and food in, now he’s settled down to sleep in the shade while I rush around getting everything organised!

I can’t believe we are actually doing this, every time I think about it I get that feeling in my tummy like I’m on a swing!  I’m tying up lose ends here there and everywhere, trying to remember where everything is and suddenly realise I’ve not got birth certificates or proof of our existence to give to the authorities when we arrive in Greece.

R appears to have buggered off in Vanley for a haircut so I can’t even finish packing.  Apparently Lucky has a divorce pool syndicate going with the family, looks like it might be an early result…..

Happy Birthday Lucky

The birthday boy is still in bed and the house is quiet and I’m listening to one of the heroes of my youth.  I met him yesterday and thought I’d be all composed and cool,  I turned into a giggling 15 year old, burst into tears and told him I had his pictures on my wall!  So often you are disappointed when confronted by memories but not this time, what an amazing person.   Thank you brother ‘No’ for inviting me and not being too embarrassed when I cried!

Have solved the loo problem by buying something that should never be used when drunk…

 

 

Getting Closer

With only four days to go, which in our family counts as two days because you never count the day you’re on or the actual one, I have been hit by the sudden realisation that I have nowhere to come back to.  I knew this in the abstract but hadn’t really paid any attention.  I think this must be a family failing because both my sister and my cousin left the country with no escape plan.   Cousin returned safely after buying a house off the internet without ever seeing it and she seems fine.   Escape plan proved unnecessary for my sister!

We have a box attached to the tow bar at the back of the van into which we plan to put stuff we only need sporadically.  I understand that my wetsuit and new bodyboard fits into this category but what else?  Do the coats go in or might we need them? What about that lovely wok and the barbecue?

I am giggling a little inside because R has no idea what it is like to camp; historically I have arrived before him wherever we have been, erected the tent, sorted out the kids and the food, made the beds, tidied up and all he has had to do is arrive before it got dark and pour his own beer!

Roll on Wednesday!

1% of what needs to be in that back box!

Countdown to take off

It is Thursday, we have until Tuesday to prepare.  It’s Lucky’s birthday on Sunday and I’m working tomorrow and Saturday then going out.  That leaves Monday to pack Vanley and see what we need/are missing.  R decided that Monday would be the perfect day to empty all the cupboards that I have so diligently organised and has booked him into Mercedes for a wash and blow-dry at 3pm.

Tuesday will be utter chaos but who needs two days to pack?

We have researched (written on the back of an envelope) the route and told our friends (sent a text) that we will be arriving on the 9th chez eux (a campsite half an hour away).  I’ve been brushing up on my French and emailing campsites. I feel very proud of my efforts learning Greek, Spanish and French on an app every day, I will be absolutely brilliant when spoken to by a robot.  I can say ‘glass of wine please’  in six languages now so I am practically multilingual.

Still no results in the loo department.