West Country Epiblog

We were away for 19 days in all visiting Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and the Forest of Dean seeking out food festivals. We moved 12 times stopping on 4 Britstops, CC and CCC main sites, a CL and several commercial sites. We covered about 800 miles and the longest stay was 3 nights at the small site at East Crinnis.

We fished at several sites in between foody events. The Cornish Food festival at Truro was poor, the Newquay Fish festival had a nice location on the quay with some good sea food to eat. The Forest of Dean festival was the best and we only found that accidentally while looking for a newspaper shop. The same was true of the Country and Western festival which we found while looking for a site near to Western Super Mare.

The 3lb rainbow trout I caught at Redbrook, in the Wye Valley, on the way home was delicious by the way.

Home via the Cotswolds

We left The Lion Inn at Trelleck by 10am on a fine sunny morning. The drive north offers fine views over the Usk valley before dropping down in to Monthmouth, then on to Ross-on-Wye and bypassing Gloucester to first Cotswolds stop at Burford. We parked up in the free car park and walked back into the pretty village to browse the shops and find a sunny spot for a coffee break.

Then on to Lower Slaughter to have some lunch. Unfortunately I tried to drive (unsuccessfully) under a 2.35m canopy at the riverside manor restaurant and had to make a careful retreat. Impossible to park on the road for double yellow lines so we carried on to Stow on The Wolds and had nice ploughman platters at the Porch House which claims to be oldest inn in England (and we thought that honour went to the Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham) established in 947AD.

There is a good cook shop in Stow where I found a replacement sink drainer and Rosemary invested in some new mugs. We had parked in the Tesco car park so took advantage of the occasion to get some provisions for returning home.

We arrived back at 6:15pm to start unpacking the van and gut the trout ready for tomorrows supper.  

Forest of Dean

 We left the farm site to go fishing but managed to fit in a craft centre and another food festival en route. It was the Forest (of Dean) Festival, that combined local food with forest crafts and some good music from the Paris Jazz Cafe Swing band. It was a very enjoyable afternoon and we topped up with deli foods before finding the Bigwell fly fishery at Rockwood in the Wye Valley. We have been in and out of England and Wales several times today! At 6:30 it was getting dark, I was the only fisherman left and was just about to give up when I finally caught a very nice 3lb rainbow trout. A very frustrating 2 hours finally paid off.

We stopped the night at a Britstop pub at Trelleck a few miles south of Monmouth. There was another van there from Leicestershire. We  had a good chat with him and the bar lady in the otherwise empty bar. They did not serve food on Sunday evenings.

Severn crossing to Wales

We were off our pitch by 10:30 but stopped at the site cafe for a nice breakfast bap before we left Brean. I decided to go to the Wye Valley to try and catch some trout on the way home. We went via Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon in a mix of heavy showers and sunny intervals. We went over the old Severn toll bridge  to Chepstow in Wales where there happened to be a M&S food hall to shop for dinner, then have a stroll down the main street.
We checked out the Woolaston trout lakes I had spotted on the Web and then we went to the nearby CS at Plusterwine Farm for the night. Very friendly lady farmer has a well set up mini campsite with panoramic views of the river Severn and good facilities but not cheap. The wandering hens provided some entertainment.

The farm is actually back in England but on the edge of the Forest of Dean so we only spent about 2 hours in Wales shopping at Chepstow with a cup of tea and a sticky bun.

Brean again

It sure is an interesting site. There are a large number of vans are here for the annual 10 day C&W festival and many of the occupants are wandering about with stetsons, spurs, Indian feathers and anything else vaguely country. The entertainment at all the bars is country music at night.

It's still windy with a few showers so I put up the windbreak allowing me to cook outside for a change. I spent the afternoon fishing in the lake and caught a few small fish. Rosemary went to Burnham on Sea, on the bus. She bought some red mullet and halibut, amongst other things, for dinner that I cooked on the Jamie.

We walked back to the main festival venue in the evening and browsed around all the western clothes in the pop-up marquees.

We passed a couple of sheriffs on mobility scooters! Some very expensive genuine cowboy hats for sale and some only £5 'made in China' copies.
We went to the beach on the way back to the van and actually saw the sea. It's been low tide and the water about a mile away when ever we have been around here before.

Minehead and Watchett

We left the Porlock site at 11:00am, wearing shorts for a change, heading towards Burnham on Sea. Stopped off at Minehead for a snack at the Somerset Steam Railway and again at the historic harbour at Watchett. Had a conversation with a Nuventure owner who also owned a farm in Wales with a CL and we looked at the small art exhibition on the harbour

We decided on a site called Northam Farm at Brean, between Burnham on Sea and Western Super Mare, for a couple of nights. Surprised to find that it has a free fishing lake and a country and western festival about to kick off. In fact nothing like a farm at all, but that's the entertainment sorted. Yee haa.
It's still windy with the odd shower but not cold. We are getting closer to home, but not giving up yet.

Appledore

We spent most of the day exploring Appledore. It's a fascinating maze of narrow alleys on either side of the Quay. Every cottage seems be different style or colour with many obviously holiday lets. Even so it had a very friendly village atmosphere but parking must be a nightmare in season. Rosemary tried to buy a book based on the recent events in Leicester (Lcfc and Richard iii) at the pop-up Waterstones at the book festival but they were sold out. However the author Michael Morporgo, who was at the event, left some signed plates to stick in his books. We left after lunch just as the clouds descended and the light rain set in. We went to Instow on the other side of the estuary to get another (murky) view of Appledore before heading East towards Minehead.

It was another drive in mist and rain through Barnstable and Lynmouth before we stopped at Porlock for the night. That's the place with the notorious 1 in 4 hill that burnt out clutches in the old days.

Boscastle and Appledore

The wind is back to normal, the van has stopped shaking and it is drizzling, so we stayed on site till midday before going to Boscastle. It's an attractive long village beside the river terminating in a small fishing harbour. It's famous for being devastated when the river flooded in after freak rain on the nearby moors in 2004. Unfortunately it was still dull and misty as we left after a couple of hours and we needed headlights on the way to Bude.
However by the time we arrived in Bude the sky had cleared and we sat on the prom drinking tea in hot sunshine. But it did not last and it was 5:00pm after all.

Decided to do a one night stop at a Britstop for a change. We chose a quayside car park in Appledore, near Bideford. We noticed signs for a book festival as we drove in and arrived to find the car park crammed with festival goers. There are some well known celebrities like Jeremy Vine and Mitch Tonks. Rosemary may go and buy a book tomorrow. We had both pasties and fish and chips today. Must try harder with diet tomorrow!

Bodmin and Tintagel

The promised rain arrived by dawn, mostly sideways. Our grass pitch was pretty waterlogged and the window started leaking slightly but we got away without any problems.

We went to Bodmin Gaol, to be somewhere dry, in the morning during a brief respite in the weather. Parking in the tiny car park was challenging and caused Rosemary to have some wet knickers.

The Gaol was quite interesting, as gaols go, at the same time depressing. Some of the punishments for quite trivial misdemeanors were incredible. There is a working hanging shed, reconstructed from genuine parts, but the last hanging at Bodmin was in 1909.

Next stop was Tintagel, a beautiful place on a sunny day no doubt. We looked around the old post office, a medieval cottage, saved by the NT and then had a hot meal in a village cafe. Just caught sight of King Arthurs castle without the long walk down the drive in the rain.

We are stopping the night at Trewethett Farm site, on a hard standing. It's between Tintagel and Boscastle. Fantastic views on a nice day allegedly. 

The rain gradually eased to be replaced by really strong gusty wind. We were pitched broadside to the 40mph gusts and endured 6 hours of being shaken to sleep.

Rock and Camelford

After the rain last night we awoke to a lovely sunny morning. After breakfast outside we set off for the Cornish north coast. Arrived in Padstow at lunch time but could not find anywhere to park. It was heaving!
So next stop was Rock on the other side of the estuary, the home to countless millionaires and a playground for young royals apparently. The specials board at Mariners restaurant included rib of beef for two, with trimmings, for £90. We found a more modest offering at £11 for roast Sirloin of beef, or roast pork, with trimmings. Huge portions no room for pudding.The alternative lunch was a ferry across the estuary to Padstow for Rick Steins fish and chips, but not enough time on the parking ticket.

We went on to Polzeath beach where the surfers were making the most of some big waves. Finally we made our way to a CC site at Camelford, for one or two nights, to sit out a forecast day of heavy rain. No WiFi or 3g, just wet campers but quite cheap.

Another day in Truro

We took the van to the huge park and ride where there is also a brand new Waitrose and Cornish Food store. We took the bus into Truro and looked around the markets and visited the cathedral. The cathedral is one of the most recent to be built and is very impressive with less gold and finery than most. Popped into the food festival again for a few cheese samples and a local hot dog. More street food stalls had appeared since yesterday.

Started to rain heavily so we headed back to Waitrose to buy some comfort food for supper and returned to site. Its now pissing down. We may not be able to hear X factor if it doesn't stop soon! Had a WhatsApp from Katie in Budapest.

St Mawes and Truro

We had a couple of hours in St Mawes, on the tip of the picturesque Roseland peninsular. Quite a nice place, with expensive properties but not much to see or do unless you want to take a boat trip. We just walked along the marine parade, had a coffee and a bit of food shopping.
Then we took the King Harry chain ferry across the Fal to Truro, it's 5 minutes for £6 but saves a 20mile drive. We stopped briefly at Tresillick House in the NT car park to make some sandwiches for lunch.
Parking in Truro was surprisingly easy close to Lemon Quay where the Cornish food festival was set up in a marquee. Not much to see or sample except cheese and sausage. M&S was just across the road so I used a free coffee voucher while Rosemary shopped.
We are booked in for two days at Merrose Farm CC site for two nights, not far from the previous nights Britstop. It's been sunny today but tomorrow is expected to be windy and wet.

on the King Harry Ferry

Heligan Garden

Had a good chat and paid for our three nights with the young site owner. We found the 'lost garden' again and spent a sunny afternoon wandering around the kitchen, flower and jungle gardens. We traversed the Burma rope bridge on the way to the lost Valley and then it was all uphill, really uphill, back to the tea rooms.
We are stopping at a Britstop at Henry's Farm Shop on the way to Truro. It's a field with a hook-up, clear views to the south, serenaded by ducks and cows. We had a cream tea in the van while waiting for the sunset.

The sunset was not very impressive but it's so dark and clear, the milky way is clearly visible. Even managed a photo.

Mevagissey Pasty Shop

Mevagissey

We decided to stay another night at East Crinnis with its free WiFi and fishing and have a day out at Mevagissey. It's a very pretty working harbour and provided an opportunity for Rosemary to buy some very fresh Megrim Sole for supper.
We had a Cornish pasty for lunch, fresh out of the oven at the ' World's best pasty shop'. (I wonder how many of those that there are!)
It has been a fairly dull mild day with a little rain early and some brightness later.

PS The fish was very nice with some salad.

Rosemarys main

Polkerris beach from Sams

Peter and Sams birthday lunch

It's my birthday today so after having scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast and opening cards, we took a taxi to Polkerris for lunch. We ate at Sams on the Beach, reputedly the best seafood restaurant in Cornwall. I had soft shell crab followed by Thai monkfish and prawns. Rosemary started with scallops and then baked hake with mussels. We shared a lemon meringue roulade and coffee. Excellent food in a restored lifeboat house. I walked round the old harbour wall for some photos while Rosemary checked the craft shop and art gallery. Back at the site by tea time and a bit of fishing on Grumpys Pond to finish the day. We both caught lots of small rudd, roach and crucian carp using bread and doughnuts.

The Boss Breakfast

Fowey and East Crinnis

We started the day with a full English breakfast at the excellent Snowlands site cafe. We had four to choose from and we had the smallest. The Boss was the biggest, with 4 of everything (eggs, sausage, bacon etc) and it was for real. It started to rain as we left and continued as we walked down into the pretty harbourside town of Fowey from the upper car park. We got a good soaking as we wandered around, but it was the first rain of the holiday.
Fortunately there was a shuttle bus back to the car park. It brightened up as we arrived at our next stop, a nicely organised quiet site near St Austell. We had a cream tea in the van with ingredients from Fowey and I went to look at the duck pond.

Newquay Fish Festival

We took the train from Par to Newquay to go to the fish festival around the old harbour. It took the usual format of street food, local music groups and craft stalls. The sea food was tasty and well priced on a sunny afternoon in an attractive location. We walked back up the hill to the station with a coffee break. The train journey took 50 mins over the moors, in time for me to have an hours fishing back at the site. Rosemary made sandwiches for supper with a dressed crab from the fish festival.

Abfest and Par

We called in to Abfest beer and cider festival this morning. It's only 5 mins away from Dornfield and was opened by Ann Widdecombe. We had a hog roast after listening to some of the entertainment before setting off for 2 nights at Par via Totnes and Plymouth. The site is part of a fishing and equestrian complex close to the railway station.  Walked to the station to check times for going to Newquay tomorrow and found there was a vintage diesel, The Cornishman, passing through. Just managed to get back with camera in time to take a photo from the bridge. Basic site with friendly neighbours and some good fishing potential.

Bright and Breezy Dornfield Farm

Well, we missed the storms that poured torrents on London and the Midlands and we have a bright but breezy day ahead. We are staying put on the site today after the drive down and may just walk into Ipplepen which is about a mile away. This is a really nicely laid out site with trees, hedges and grassy areas behind a very grand old farm house and out buildings dating from 13th century.

There are obviously a lot of seasonal pitches with some people just packing away. We are pitched around Little Cricket which is just like an immaculately mowed cricket pitch. There is a small chippy which just opens on Monday and Friday evening - so that is tonights meal sorted already!

Ipplepen and Torquay

After breakfast we set off for Devon coast and arrived at Torquay around 1:00pm. We had a stroll down the prom and around the harbour for a couple of hours before finding our site. We got our 10000 paces in today

Its a little way inland at Ipplepen near Newton Abbot, the site called Dornfield. Quite overcast and thundery skies but it has stayed dry all day. Storms are forecast overnight.

Breakfast

Sitting in the farm shop cafe watching the pigs and hens and eating a bacon and egg sandwich.

Bristol Britstop

We set off after lunch for an overnight stay at a Britstop near Bristol en route to Newton Abbot. We stopped at the best services in England, which is near Gloucester, for a cup of tea and shopping for dinner. Very hot drive without aircon.

Gloucester Services

Devon and Cornwall

Today we are setting off on a 10-14 day late holiday to take in 3 food festivals in the south west. Yesterday the temperature was the highest this year and highest in September for 100 years in the south east of England. In Devon and Cornwall it was raining!

So lets hope there is a bit of a change before we get down to Truro.  

PYO currants and NT

A bright and breezy early start to the day. We had a coffee and cereals and headed for a PYO farm shop for breakfast (eggy bread and beans for me!) and fruit picking. We managed to find about a pound of mixed black, red and white currants for a summer pudding, but they were past their best. Then we spent the rest of the sunny afternoon back at Belton House, going round the interesting house and gardens where much was made of the royal abdication story. We also popped in to the nearby Belton garden centre and arrived back home around 6:00pm after a good day out.

Grantham - Belton House

We left the mill and it's chatty owner on a gloomy wet morning and travelled back towards home by way of Belton House. We just had a quick look and a lunch snack before finding our nearby overnight stop at Woodland Waters caravan site. A proper big site with lots of people on caravan or camping holidays. It also has some big fishing lakes, but having walked round 3 of them,  decided I would not bother as they are very open and there is a strong gusty wind. But at least it has brightened up a bit, so we will just chill out for the evening and watch the Olympics. If the clouds break we may even see the Perseid meteor shower.

Mablethorpe and the Mill

We had a quick chat with site owner before leaving for the coast at Mablethorpe. We easily found a sea view at the sea view car park (and peak season) in order to walk down to the beach and along to the town centre. It had not changed much over the years and brought back memories of day trips with parents for Rosemary. The tide was in but we did not paddle, it was a bit rough  for a start!  We had an indifferent cup of coffee in town and ham roll in the van before leaving to visit historic town of Alford. Did a bit of shopping and on to our final destination for the day at Withern Mill trout farm. I had an hour and half of uneventful evening fishing and Rosemary cooked a fresh trout from the farm. It was sunny most of the day until it turned cool and cloudy in the evening. A really nice CL and fishing location, well worth another visit out of the summer season when the fishing will be better.

Bainside Fishery

After a delayed start due to flat battery we got to Margarets about 6pm. We stopped the night in Essendine and left before lunch to go to the CL with a lake. It was close to Woodhall Spa so we shopped and had a late lunch of pasties. Really nice fishery with patches of water lilys and the resident kingfisher skimming across the lake. Caught plenty of fish too, roach, rudd and a 7lb carp. Rain and cold stopped play at 8:30.

Lincolnshire fishing

Planning a few days fishing in Lincolnshire next week, going via Stamford to see Margaret. Woodhall Spa, Mablethorpe (near) and Grantham with site seeing and/or fishing depending on the weather.

Photo Album

Click the holiday photos link below to view an album with some photos from the trip starting in Santander and finishing at Roscoff

- some photos -  

They are in chronological order but there are no captions, as yet, so you will have to work out where they are!

France and Spain 2016 - EpiBlog

This is a summary of the trip and went almost as expected and although we stayed a week longer, we were home in time for the Queens birthday street party in the village. The weather was not as good as we had hoped but we did manage to avoid the floods in France and most of the storms.

Regions visited -  Santander, Pays Basque, Bearne, midi Pyrenees, Bordeaux, Gironde, Ile de Oleron, Ile de Re, La Rochelle, Ile de Noirmoutier, Vendee, Brittany, Finistere, Roscoff, Devon.

Number of nights away from 26th April to 9th June was 44 , including one night in Devon and one on the ferry.

Distance since MOT  is 1969 miles, so drove about 1500 miles in Europe in this trip, quite low.

The number of places where we stopped on camp sites was 14, namely, Noja, Orio, Bearne, Lourdes, Le moulin, St Emillion,  Oleron, Re(2), Noirmoutier, St Brevin, Carnac, Concarceau, St Pol de Leon.

We stopped at 5 convenient Aires on route, at a Gironde marina, St Gilles municipal, Muzillac superU parking, La Rochelle park and ride, Noirmoutier municipal.

Apart from forgetting the overnight bag for the ferry, the ACSI book that covered France and Spain, a slight leak from a window during the torrential rain at Noirmoutier and a few mosquitos bites, there were no mishaps. Even managed to loose a few pounds in weight and bring back a few litres of wine!

Home again

After breakfast we had a quick look at the remains of Lydford castle (actually a prison) which was right beside the Britstop car park. Then we called in to see cousin Barbara and John on our way home and as we left her about 12:00 there was time left to fill. But the weather was overcast and quite murky all the way into Somerset and we decided to carry on without looking for another overnight stop. The weather did brighten up later on, after we had called at Gloucester services so we left the motorway and drove back up the A46 through the Cotswolds. We stopped at the garden centre near Lutterworth and picked up some tomato plants and potting compost. The compost is to pot on the vine plants that we have been nurturing all the way from St Emillion. They are not looking too healthy but hopefully can be saved with a bit of TLC and John Inness No3.

Roscoff ferry

The sea mist had thickened overnight and we left the Ar Keural site at 10 o'clock to drive the short distance to Roscoff. We stopped at a L'Eclerc supermarket for a few last minute food things to take home. The Armorique was waiting at the dock and we left on time at 14:20 in a fog. The sea was flat calm, the fog gradually lifted and we had a good smooth crossing. The Armorique is smaller than the Pont Aven which took us to Santander for the start of the holiday.

As we sailed into Plymouth there was a cruiser race taking place just outside the harbour in the evening sunshine.We disembarked at 7:30pm intending to spend the night at a Britstop off the Tavistock Road but found that it was all shuttered up. We carried on towards Oakhampton to another Britstop at Lydford which had space for us. It was a really nice oldy-worldy welcoming Inn used a lot by cyclists. We treated ourselves to dinner and ordered a full English breakfast for the following morning.

Last Day in France

Walked into town up a very steep hill just to have some lunch at a restaurant  recommended by the site receptionist. It was good value with three typical French courses for only €14. A French couple sat next to us with the biggest dog you have ever seen. We looked in St. Pols cathedral and the church with the 80m spire and the market, which was just closing.

After a merky start, we had some rain overnight, it was a sunny afternoon. Then as we walked back down the hill to the site we descended into banks of sea mist. Very eerie! The little offshore island, with a connecting road was there one minute and gone a few minutes later. We did manage a walk to it later, when the fog had moved inland.
We have to leave after breakfast  tomorrow to do some shopping as we are due at the port around midday. Fortunately Roscoff is only about 5 miles and we will pass 2 big supermarkets apparently.

The last leg

This is the last leg of our 2016 holiday in France and we are heading to a site near the port of Roscoff.

It's been a nice sunny day for the most part so we drove via Quimper,  where the rivers Odet and Steir meet before they flow into the Atlantic. It had an historic centre reminiscent of Stratford-upon-Avon with the addition of a huge gothic cathedral. We had a look round both and a quick lunch before pressing on North. 

The tourist office lady suggested we stop by the village of Locronan - which we did. A really pretty village with photo opportunity in all directions well worth the time. We bought some biscuits and pressed on, crossing Finistere to the north coast. After weeks of coastal scenery it was like driving across Devon, trees and hedges, moors and reservoirs, until we reached our destination at St Pol de Leon. We have a nice sloping pitch with sea views to a small island for the last two nights. It's cloudy again now and we even had some rain when we drove through the edge of a storm as we hit the coast.

Another walk along the coast

We took the short cut through the site down to the local white sandy beach. The tide was right out but there was no sign of any shells to collect. We walked the other way back into town where the road was closed to trafffic for a number of childrens sports activities. There was a boxing ring, tennis and rowing machine in the road, whilst out at sea an Optimist race was just starting with prizes later.


After yet another grey start the sun finally made an appearance for the afternoon, which was rather nice. We stopped in the restaurant quarter and had some sweet and savoury crepes for lunch before walking back. It was supposed to be a restful Sunday not 16000 steps! I uploaded some photos to the Blog with the free WiFi which I am now finishing on the bar terrace over looking the sea. It looks like the clouds are rolling in again for tomorrow.

Walk in the walled city

It's overcast again but much brighter for a walk along the coast to Concarnau and in particular it's old walled city. It's not very big and rather touristy as you might expect. There are a lot of English voices to be heard. We immediately knew we have been here before in our motorhome but did not recognise the name and can't figure out when we came! Must be pre-blog days! It was actually in 2008 the first year we had the Moniche and we passed through on our way to meet Mike and Margaret.

We had a nice lunch at a reasonable price (but it's cheese and biscuits for tea/supper now!) and I walked around part of the fortified wall, while  Rosemary walked around shops and bought some fancy chocolate amongst other things. We got back before 5:00pm, it looks like the sun may even appear before the evening is out. It did'nt!

Stones and Concarnau

We have moved on as planned after a short visit to the nearby market at La Trinite sur Mer. La Trinite is basically a huge marina with prices fixed accordingly, even in the market. We first came here with the children in about 1978 with Eurocamp. Le Grange Metarie campsite is still there, we passed it today when we went to have another look at the famous standing stones at Carnac.


There are thousands of stones in lines from prehistoric times. ( ie France's stone henge).

 
I drove on to Concarneau in the Finistere region and we are staying on a very nice site on the edge of the  bustling small town and close to a sandy beach. The beach and site are called Les Sables Blanc. Only problem is its a bit high up, so some steep hills when we go walkabout to the old walled city tomorrow.
More disappointing weather today, it's been dull and dry, but nothing like the rain that's been flooding Paris this week.

Disappointing day, disappointing site

We left our free stop at the Super U after buying a bit more diesel and some giant pre-pack crepes, to go to Carnac. It was a nice quick run along the N165 passed Vannes and a few miles to the coast. We had a stroll along one of the many beaches and went off to find the only €19 ACSI site (others €17 or less) just before reception closed for lunch and hurriedly booked in.
Big mistake! The site promised big grassy pitches with peace and tranquility. 

It did, but nothing else! No fresh bread, no snack bar, no where to go - unless you have a car or bikes. Nice deserted beach 500m in one direction, small supermarket 800m the other.

Even the promised sun did not make an appearance until 6:00pm and then it was behind the trees near our pitch. We will be moving on tomorrow I think.

St Nazaire and Muzillac

Left the 5* facilities at La Fief intending to go to St Nazaire for a night on its new Aire to do sight seeing. We stopped first near St Brevin to view the Serpent of the Ocean, a long sculpture by a Chinese artist in 2012. Its partly on the beach and part in sea depending on the tide. It's a sort of French Loch Ness monster - a lot of fuss about nothing.

Then over the big suspension bridge which spans the mouth of the Loire just outside St Nazaire. The intended Aire did not look a very inviting place to spend the night so we just parked for a couple of hours to take in the famous German U boat pens. It really is a massive concrete structure and it's obvious why it was so difficult to destroy with WW2 bombs. There's actually nothing much to see except just wander around some of the 20 submarine  moorings in the concrete 'hanger' and read the descriptive panels. You can also go up on the flat roof to gauge just how massive a structure it was and see a few places with bomb damage.

We left mid afternoon and drove along the coast through the large resort of La Baule, with its big hotel and apartment blocks. By 5 o'clock we decided to stop in the car park of the Super U store at Muzillac which also has a motorhome service point. It's a small town that has been bypassed by the N165 between La Baule and Vannes. There are several large supermarkets in a new light  commercial centre with biscuit factories etc. There are 9 French vans and us! A few years ago there were hardly any supermarkets in France and now there are too many IMHO.

After a fine sunny day yesterday we are back to grey overcast, but not windy, or cold. I think you can say the French weather has been variable. Just realised that we have not used a toll motorway for the last 4 weeks and it should stay that way.