It's the 1st October and we are still at home. Today is packing day and checking everything is ready, including the weight of the bags. Yup, time to ditch all that is unnecessary! However, the weather is wet and miserable and no golf. I had hoped to spend the day watching the Ryder Cup but after 90 mins they abandoned it as the water was running in rivers across the fairways and there was nowhere to stand. Tomorrow will be better and after weeks of waiting we ...

We are sitting at home with five days to go, trying to pack and plan. Its not easy but getting the right clothes in one bag is a test. So far I have been through 12 pairs of 'suitable' shoes and none fit. I was endowed with a large, wide left foot and all of the 'shoes' pinch that large part of the foot. Still tomorrow I must try again. Never mind, as today as I began to type out the details of the trip of those who cannot use the web, it all began to seem a ...

1st September Sables d'Olonne The campsite is large and it provides many opportunities to observe the French at play, and even work.It is, however , the end of the holiday season and many are leaving so we can only read the papers. The local, eg regional daily is Le Ouest, an interestingpaper which provides simple French for us non-believers! Of the many stories doing the rounds, several catch the eye. Firstly, the stories about Carla! According to the...

We arrived in Ligny Le Chatel on Thursday after a long day on the roads of France. At least it felt long as I had slept only about 10 hours in two days. However, we arrived in the small town of Ligny in the valley of the Serein River about 7 miles north of Chablis about 7 pm. Old, and quiet the Hotel or Relais Saint Vincent was a delight. The rooms are well set out and tidy but the vital point was the restaurant. We had a sumptuous meal of local food and wine. ...

I am sitting at home planning our next trip. This means trying to identify vineyards in France to visit so that we can replenish our wine stocks. Our first call will be in the Chablis area where we hope to but some reasonably cheap but drinkable Chablis. After that we will travel to Bergerac for Cote de Duras and maybe some Castillion wine before heading for the sun shine of the Atlantic coast at Sables D'Olonne. Here we will read, rest, sunbathe, cook and...