Spring Trip. Vendee. Noirmoutier

 Our first trip to Ile de Noirmoutier and we haven't been disappointed. A real mixture of weather. Heat wave, temperatures up in the 30's, rain, winds, everything really, just like at home.You get to the island via a bridge, or if you are relly brave a tidal causeway.

The campsite Les Roussieres is at the north end of the island, which is much quieter and less touristy. A really handy spot just a short walk to the large beach across an interesting plastic floating bridge.

When we arrived we were given a few pitches to look at. As it was very hot we went for part shade, under a few trees but very private.

We loved the spot. The pigeons loved pooing on the van!! We persevered for a week, Den fought pigeon poo, we then  moved to a more open pitch.

The beach is unspoilt, goes out a long way and is pretty uncrowded.

Not bad for the second week in June.

The campsite was not busy and although we had booked in advance there was no need at this time of the year. There is a small bread shop open until 11am and a bar restaurant open evenings Wednesday to Sunday. The toilet facilities are immaculate and very clean with loads of hot water.

A 40 minute amble takes you to the main town Noirmoutier. Loads of shops bars and restaurants. 30 minutes in the opposite direction, takes you to the village of La Vielle where there is a supermarket, bar and small tabac. 

Noirmoutier is a haven for cyclists and there are bike paths everywhere around the island. A thirty minute walks takes about 6 mins on the bike so well worth taking them.

We did a few rides, one to the top end of the island to the port of L'Herbaudiere. A small interesting port. We did a few more on the very empty back lanes on some very hot days, till the wind set in..... no we weren't really lost!!

Of course, this area is famed for shell fish so fish shops are everywhere. We didn't try mussels here because apparently you should only eat them July to September! ( You live and learn) If we were French, we may have gone digging for them. If the shell fish are under a certain size you have to put them back. A whole page devoted to "Peche a Pied" ( Fishing on foot) in the campsite info.

Loads of holiday homes on the island. I guess in July and August it will be quite busy.

The port at L'Herbaudiere.

All in all, we have whiled away almost two weeks here. Noirmoutier is somewhere we will definitely return to. 

Time to move on soon and our next stop Ile de Re. Should make a great contrast! 

Spring Trip. Vendee Islands. Noirmoutier & Ile de Re

 This year we have decided to do two shorter trips to France. With Le Shuttle booked in January, we were quite relieved that with fuel rises we had decided to do two shorter trips.

Our Spring trip started with a short one night stop on the way to Le Shuttle. As it turned out, it was well worth it and cut down the driving. 

So, our first stop was Broadhembury at Ashford, a short drive to the tunnel the next day. We had booked an afternoon trip, so we were looking froward to a leisurely start.

Nice tidy site with good clean facilities and a pub a short walk away. We made full use of the facilities and wandered to the pub for a pleasant meal.

Definitely somewhere we would stop again and really convenient for Le Shuttle.

The next morning we were up and off, arriving in time for an early crossing. Little did we know that there had been some problem and we were delayed by an hour, so back to our original time. Le Shuttle didn't seem too busy, no real checks except for making sure the gas was off and we were ready to go.

A short 35 minute buzz underground and we were there! Soon happily on a nice pitch overlooking the Channel at Les Erables at Escalles, a stop we had used many times. We made our way down to the village and a very pleasant meal in the local restaurant.

Bluebirds over the white cliffs! Not quite, but a lovely spot for the night, though windy as usual.

The next morning brought the heat wave! So it was to be for the next week. The temperature quickly rose to the high 30's. Luckily not too far to go to the other side of Rouen a 3 hour drive. Our second stop. Camping Nicolas at Le Bec Hellouin.

Two nights here. We had a lovely meal in the restaurant and the next day set off down through the woods to the village. It was HOT!!

Down hill on the way there. Coming back was a slog!!!!

Le Bec Hellouin is beautiful, dominated by the monastery and grounds. We had a lovely peaceful wander around.

Den liked this one!

Two hot days, a cooling dip in the swimming pool and we were ready to move on.

Our next stop for two days which quickly turned into four. Camping Neuville near Le Mans.

A cracking site run by an English couple. Very clean and tidy with huge pitches. A five minute walk to the local village which had a bar, supermarket, bread shop and butchers. Sadly the swimming pool was out of action.

Right by a lovely river just made for paddling in.

Loads of lanes to wander about in. If it hadn't been so hot we would have taken the bikes out. Very near to Le Mans with a local train to the centre. £12 for two with a wrinkly discount. Maybe one for another visit.

A lovely short stay and we will do a return visit on the way back.

Cracking Crickhowell.

 Another day, another trip.

This time we were off to try out our fitness levels on Table Mountain ( The Welsh version in Crickhowell )

A place we have not been to for about 10 years, but it used to be one of our favourite places.

Riverview Caravanning in Crickhowell, Wales. An adult only site, right in the middle of the Brecon Beacons and just below Table Mountain, right in the heart of walking country. The site has been considerably updated since our last visit and now boasts a heated new toilet block and hard standings for motor homes. All for £33 per night.

We were soon settled on a lovely private pitch in the sun and out of the wind. Complete with rubber mat and picnic bench. We set out for a stroll around the town. Lots of small shops and a few pubs so there was a fair bit of choice. The town was much as we remembered it. 

The famous Crickhowell bridge.

The Bridge End Inn. Lovely in it's time but now a little sad. A shame really, as it's in such a lovely spot by the river and the once beautiful garden is now very unkempt! We did have a quick drink here for old times sake.

The Dragon pub where we stopped for a meal.

The next morning we were up for the climb. Here, right to the top of Table Mountain.

I know it looks tiny, but believe me, it's not!!! It was a real slog and very sharply uphill in places. We almost gave up, but coming down would have been as hard as going up. At least we didn't have to call out the rescue squad, although that would have been difficult with no phone signal up there. Fortunately we were wearing the right footwear, had water and plasters!!

We braved long horn cattle, streams, forests, bracken, ponies and WIND. It was very windy on top of the mountain, luckily no rain. Sadly, we didn't take the camera out of the bag, too busy concentrating on where we put our feet. We did make it to the top of the mountain and felt very pleased with ourselves. Coming down, was just as traumatic and steep, we were glad we took our walking poles. On the plus side we made it, so won't have to do it again!!

The next morning we had survived intact, so went on a calmer hike along the flat canal. A beautiful walk and we did take the camera out.

The bottom of the famous Redwood Tree immortalised in Tolkien's The Hobbit.

 A Welsh dupe of the Gap Tree perhaps?

All too soon the end of a beautiful few nights. 

Another return visit planned maybe later in the year.

Delicious Dartmouth

 The delayed start of another year and we finally decided we had better do a "shake down" trip before the summer hike to France. Two hours maximum drive from home and we settled on the Camping & Caravanning Site at Dartmouth. I guess we really should use their sites more often.

A dry but breezy afternoon found us soon settled on the site. It was an interesting drive through some of the larger resorts of Paignton and Brixham but the roads were easy and because it was mid week light traffic only!

The campsite is on the hill over looking the estuary and we opted for the seaview. On reflection we may have been better further down the site out of the strong Easterly wind. The site was very much a typical Camping & Caravanning Club site £30 a night. Gravel hard standings and nicely mowed grass. The toilets and showers were clean and tidy and the water HOT!

I think the beauty of this site is it's location. Easy ( though somewhat hilly) walks, a nice pub, local shop and restaurant within walking distance, as well as, a convenient bus stop at the site entrance. Late April, so relatively quiet.

A kind of sea view. It was behind the hedge but could be seen if you stood on tippy toes.

On the first afternoon we went in search of eating.... and drinking establishments. Through a pretty little gate across the park and you were in Stoke Fleming. 

The Green Dragon Pub on a sunny Sunday afternoon. A very nice pasty served here.

We walked into Dartmouth to take advantage of the weather. A lovely picturesque walk towards the Castle, via Warfleet.

We decided to take advantage of the ferry across the river to Dartmouth. A lovely trip all for £3.50. The friendly ferryman was very chatty and we were the only ones onboard.

 

How to call the Ferryman.

Dartmouth is a lovely place to while some time away. Lots of shops and places to eat. We had a good wander around before getting the bus back to the campsite.

That evening we had a nice meal in the Italian restaurant in Stoke Fleming. Pretty quiet but the food was nice.

The following morning we went in search of Blackpool Sands. A lovely walk down hill, we caught the bus back.

On the way to Blackpool Sands. A stroll down through the woods.

Across the bridge to the beach.

The beach was lovely, fine pebbles with a nice beach bar for coffee and cake. There was even a sauna cabin on the beach being used by a few hardy folks.

Later we took the bus back to Dartmouth and spent some time wandering about and a drink in the Crab Inn.

The bus stop at Blackpool Sands.

A lovely few days, Pebble enjoyed it and so did we! 

Next time we want to do a visit to Agatha Christy's house up the river...ferry from Dartmouth. 

A trip to the Naval College, it has to be booked in advance.

The steam train, bus and ferry trip around the area. Highly recommended, so we heard from a couple we met on the bus.

We will be back.