The Big France Trip - Summer 2014

2»

Comments

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited September 2014 #32

    Thanks for all the effort you have put in to write this D. Much appreciated. Didn't take the 'van abroad this summer - your post makes me realise what we missed!

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
    100 Comments
    edited September 2014 #33

    Thanks for the additional info David. I have never been to Monaco but I did have a friend who was Captain on John Paul Getty's yacht and he was always in port there with his guests. How the other half live eh! Regards, Roy

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #34

    Thanks for all the effort you have put in to write this D. Much appreciated. Didn't take the 'van abroad this summer - your post makes me realise what we missed!

    Thanks Paul.  Still have a handful of photos to go...

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #35

    Thanks for the additional info David. I have never been to Monaco but I did have a friend who was Captain on John Paul Getty's yacht and he was always in port there with his guests. How the other half live eh! Regards, Roy

    It's worth going just for the fireworks, but it's heavy going on the feet!!  When we were waiting for the fireworks, we were approached by a young lady who actually spotted the dog and approached us because she was missing her own dog (the same breed) at home.  She was working on a large boat owned by some rich Australian lady and seemed to be enjoying herself, although she said the work was hardand the hours long.  How the other half live indeed!!!

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #36

    14 August THURSDAY (Neydens) Visit Old Bridge at Cruiselles and La Saleve.

    We arrived at Neyden's, still in France, but near Geneva on 13 August.  It was damp and a little wet underfoot.

    On the 14th we went to visit an old bridge just South of Cruseilles.  The floor of  the bridge still had wooden slats - luckily closed to traffic but you could walk across...

    photo DSC01949_zpsdeade714.jpg

    photo DSC01951_zps05e69fd7.jpg

    photo DSC01956_zps84e69340.jpg

    After a stoll across the bridge and back we drove up to Mt Soleve for lunch and a view over Geneva...

    photo DSC01959_zps9c33c012.jpg

    photo DSC01962_zps499a252e.jpg

    David

     

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #37

    15 August FRIDAY (Neydens) Visit Yvoire

    We started off by aiming for Evian, but the place was so busy we decided not to stop.  Instead we went to Yvoire - a medieval village on the banks of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman).  Very busy little place - full of tourists.  Lots of tourist type shops!!

    photo DSC01969_zps8678d312.jpg

    photo DSC01974_zpsb85a601f.jpg

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #38

    16 August SATURDAY (Neydens) Vist Lake Annecy

    We couldn't even park the car when we went to Annecy - it was so busy.  Instead we drove up into the hill for lunch and then on the way down bumped into a French bride on the way to the church..

    photo DSC01982_zps8f499e70.jpg

    ...then we did a circular tour of Lake Annecy stopping off at various points...

    photo DSC01986_zps262f6ba8.jpg

    In the meantime, back at the campsite, the English had arrived!  A Caravan Club Rally organised by the North London Centre...

    photo DSC01979_zpsf3fca74a.jpg

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #39

    17 August SUNDAY (Neydens) Visit Geneva & Switzerland

    We certainly chose a good day for our little visit to Geneva and Switzerland.  A good view of the lake and famous fountain....

    photo DSC01992_zps333c6acf.jpg

    photo DSC01994_zps577b1162.jpg

    As we drove out of Geneva the Swiss side we go a view we weren't expecting.  Mt Blanc in all it's glory....

    photo DSC02012_zpse983991f.jpg

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #40

    18 August MONDAY (La Rochette, Melun) Travel from La Columbiere to Camping La Belle Etoile, Quai Maréchal Joffre, La Rochette, France

    One final photo of the pitch at La Columbiere, before packing up and setting off for Melun.  This would have been a grass pitch but they put down some stones so that we didn't get the full effect of the soft ground.

    photo DSC02021_zps37496f38.jpg

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #41

    19 August TUESDAY (La Rochette) Carol & Anna visit Paris
    20 August WEDNESDAY (La Rochette) Visit Gorges d'Apremont, towns on the Seine

    On the Tuesday, Carol and Anna just had to visit Paris and I willingly volunteered to stay behind with the dog.

    Wednesday we went to find the Gorges d'Apremont.  Lots of vegetation meant it was quite difficult to capture on camera...

    photo DSC02024_zpsf3ccfa8d.jpg

    Lizzie seemed to enjoy eating the vegetation...

    photo DSC02029_zps4e1b2eda.jpg

    A quick whizz through Fontainebleau...

    photo DSC02030JPGCrop_zps863446b2.jpg

    ...and a short ride alongside the Seine...

    photo DSC02035_zps9f1d8c51.jpg

    ......and back to the site at Melun ready to pack up....

    photo DSC02038_zps9ee2590d.jpg

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #42

    21 August THURSDAY (Chalon-en-Champagne) Travel from La Rochette to Chalons-en-Champagne

    22 August FRIDAY (Chalon-en-Champagne) Visit Epernay and Champagne Route (Vets @ 17h.30)

    23 August SATURDAY (Chalon-en-Champagne) Day at Campsite - picnic lunch out.  Pack up day.

    We had little time at Chalon, but we needed to visit the vet so that Lizzie could visit the vet.  She got the VIP treatment.  No messing with worming tablets, the vet gave her an injection and we were on our way.

    We did manage to squeeze in a ride through the 'Champagne Route' and a visit to Epernay......

    photo DSC02040_zps61686ad4.jpg

    photo DSC02042_zps5856abd2.jpg

    Avenue de Champagne, Epernay....

    photo DSC02045_zps8b00ad68.jpg

    photo DSC02047_zpsbeceda1b.jpg

    photo DSC02050_zpsa2c452b0.jpg

    photo DSC02057_zps7347e055.jpg

    photo DSC02058_zps2717bdcd.jpg

    Well, our holiday was almost over.  Saturday was pack up day and visit to the supermarket!!!  It was on the way back to the site from the supermarket that we realised that one of the fuel injectors had gone on the car.  We still managed to limp back to Calais
    and subsequently, back home.  Car now fixed.  Here's to the next time....... Au Revoir France!

    photo DSC01946_zpsfd0c218c.jpg

    David

  • JaneandIan
    JaneandIan Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited September 2014 #43

    Fantastic pics David. Many thanks! We've been to the wonderful Mont Ventoux (Ian and his friend have cycled up from Bedoin) and are regualar visitors to the Chalons site - but your other amazing pics encourage further exploration. We do love France!

  • Laowjo
    Laowjo Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited September 2014 #44

    I've loved looking through your pictures David, a really lovely way to  share your trip around France. Nice to see some of the places we have visited and many more that are on our 'to do' list. As huge Tour de France followers, the Ventoux is a definite!

    Thanks Again!

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant Posts: 4,760 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited September 2014 #45

    I have absolutely loved all your photos and stories of your trip.  It looks wonderful.  I particularly liked the picture of Mt Blanc. Are you planning next year's trip yet David?

  • Georgiejuniorgirl
    Georgiejuniorgirl Forum Participant Posts: 26
    edited September 2014 #46

    Thanks again . Absolutely wonderful , reading this and seeing all your lovely photos has really cheered me up . I hope more people do the same x

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2014 #47

    Really enjoyed all the pics and descriptions. We've got friends near Epernay so it was nice to see the champagne countryside at the end of your trip.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #48

    Wow!  Thank you all so much for the lovely comments - really pleased that you have enjoyed looking at them.  I've learnt quite a lot doing a 'story' in this way.  Perhaps my biggest lesson is that on photo is worth more than a whole detailed description.  Not began to think about next year yet, but we have plenty of time. :)

    Best wishes

    David

  • magnet
    magnet Forum Participant Posts: 157
    edited September 2014 #49

    thank you for sharing with us your holiday, great reading and love the photo's it's given us idea's for future holidays.

    dave & sue

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #50

    thank you for sharing with us your holiday, great reading and love the photo's it's given us idea's for future holidays.

    dave & sue

    Thanks Dave & Sue.  Glad it's been useful.  I've actually really enjoyed doing it.  It's given me the chance to sift through lots of photos and to remind me of all the places we visited.

    David

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2014 #51

    I have absolutely loved all your photos and stories of your trip.  It looks wonderful.  I particularly liked the picture of Mt Blanc. Are you planning next year's trip yet David?

    Looks as if next year will be a UK holiday, Millie.  Our son is getting married on August 1st and our youngest daughter has to start back to 6th form academy half way through August.  We'll only have a clear run of about two and a half weeks, so not really
    long enough for a big trip over the channel.  Thinking of Pembrokeshire next year.

    David

  • Urchin
    Urchin Forum Participant Posts: 32
    edited November 2014 #52

    David, what a fantastic journal. Have been vanning to France since going with my parents in 1967. But have only ever once visited this area some 20+ years ago. So, your account of your holiday has inspired me to visit this area next year.

    Many, many thanks, now can't wait for next June / July to come round.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited November 2014 #53

    Hi Urchin.  You'll have to do a report of your visit next year too.  I'll look out for it.  LOL Glad you enjoyed reading

    David

Categories