French Experience 2013

Dave

Day 4

Time for a bit of culture. Drove the 10km from the site to Giverney to visit Claud Monet's house and gardens. Got there for opening time and joined the queue to enter. Although this is our third visit we still enjoyed it just as much. Marion settled down with her sketch pad and pencils on a bench in the shade of a tree and I wandered around taking a few photographs. Only about 230 this time, thought I'd better restrict myself. As you wander around you can see some of Monet's famous works come to life. The beauty of the Japanese garden and lily pond, the drifts of flowers in the garden even the house itself are seen within many of his works. Leaving the gardens you will find the American museum that holds exhibitions of impressionist works and is currently showing Japanese art. On a hot day a walk around this museum and a drink in the cafe are much appreciated. They both have air conditioning!

We spent about five hours in the gardens before heading back to the caravan for more R&R. You might see a pattern developing here, we're big into R&R.

 

Day 5

As I've said previously we're heavily into R&R when on our holidays. We both work full time in demanding, stressful jobs and need time to unwind and often, catch up on sleep. With that in mind we have 'down' days were we do very little except lie in a Lafuma recliner and read or in Marion's case sometimes knit or needlework. So sorry folks day 5 is such a day. Only thing we did was visit Leclerc for two or three things and came out with three bags full plus a case of beer. As most people who have wandered around a large French supermarket will know, there are far to many tempting, delicious things. I admit to finding supermarket shopping here a joy (sad I am). So much food and goodies, so little time to enjoy.

 

Day 6

In theory we should have got up and visited Chateau Bizy but a storm passed round us and the temperature dropped to the mid 20s. Such bliss, cool air and a breeze. So we just vegged until after lunch and visited the Chateau in the afternoon. Still owned by the descendants of Marshall Suchet (one of Napoleon's commanders). Unfortunately this is one of the chateau's with timed guided tours. Luckily  we arrived just 15 minutes before the next one.  Only English tourists so tour in French with no written translation.  With my limited vocabulary managed to understand some of it. Only four rooms in the chateau open to the public as the family is still in residence. Most interesting features are the cascade and fountain system through the gardens. Unfortunately most of this isn't working because the underground pipes were damaged by German tanks in the Second World War and are still waiting to be repaired. I've heard stories of French builders timescales but that's ridiculous! They do have a water therapy pool for horses in the stable yard though that is in full working order. Basically a swimming pool with ramps. Look after their horses well don't they.

 

Day 7 sorry folks R&R.

 

Day 8 

Decided to go for a drive out into the country. Headed out past Giverney and did my usual trick of finding winding lanes with lots of small ancient villages. Stopped for lunch at a park on the bank of the Seine and sat eating bread and Camembert as the barges plodded past. Marion sat and did some sketching whilst I wandered and photographed things. Didn't realise that there where cruise ships on the Seine until one of the monsters went past. They are so long they just seem to take forever to pass.