Day 655-656, 19-20 Mar '16, Angouleme-Paris-Amsterdam - How's that for a weekend's jaunt. It started early on Saturday (doesn't it always?) Up at 6.30 am with a couple of alarms set then off to the station at 7.15 am. Train left Angouleme at 8.30 and we were safe and sound at the hotel in Paris by midday. Our favourite hotel in Paris was kind enough to upgrade us again to a superior room, the same we had last time. We dumped the bags and headed out to enjoy t...

Days 645-654, 9-18 Mar '16, Chateau de la Rochefaucauld... and farewell to the countryside. We've spent our last week or so in France enjoying the Spring weather that has finally arrived. We've been walking for miles in the sunshine and having a fine time. Our last excursion was a drive to one of the oldest and grandest chateaus in France - Chateau de la Rochefoucauld. Dating back to 980 AD, the very first building on the site was a fortified camp built on a ...

Days 635-644, 29 Feb-8 Mar '16, Aulnay, Beauvais, Matha Langkawi... (now which of these things is not like the other). After a crazy, busy week last week, this week was blessedly quiet. We pottered into Beauvais for a coffee and a stroll around the Tuesday market. Enjoying the change of scenery we decided to take a short drive to Aulnay and had a look at the local old stuff. There was a Donjon (or tower) and also, just at the side of the road, the old castle ...

Day 633-634, 27-28 Feb '16, Rouillac, Sausages, Red Beret & Farewell. Our final day together dawned bright and early and we started the day with a traditional French breakfast dish - Galette. Buckwheat pancakes with ham and egg folded inside and sprinkled with cheese (all done in a pan). De-lish! We checked out the monthly street fair in Rouillac last month on the 27th and enjoyed it so much we were keen to share it with Lee and Annie. Today was official...

Day 632, 26 Feb '16, La Rochelle, Les Tours, Seafood Fiesta. We were up bright and early at 7 am (brrrr.. alarm clock territory... still dark!) With Zara walked, chickens, cats and humans fed we were underway by 10 am. La Rochelle is a large city with medieval roots about 90 minutes drive from home. Given the distance and the season, we could not have hoped for a brighter day - sunshine and freezing cold, but beautiful. It was also the 22 year anniversary of ...