Off to France!
Yesterday, the Eurotunnel had been closed because of a suspected bomb in a car, and there had been long delays, but luckily, all was clear for our trip today. I looked at Google Maps before we left and it told me a travel time of three hours and fourteen minutes. We'd been planning on leaving at 3am for our 7.30am train (we had to check in an hour early) which would get us there in time.
We had an excellent journey down to Folkestone, using the M11, M25 and M20. I managed to get us there at about 5.45am, so we were offered an earlier train at 6.54am. A half-hour bonus!
Keith and Sophie wanted to use the loos in the terminal, so we went inside, and I couldn't believe how many dogs there were! Every person travelling seemed to have at least one dog on a lead! One pooch had an unfortunate accident on the floor, which left its owners mortified! How very embarrassing! Keith and Sophie couldn't believe it when I told them!
After having a coffee from the flask and a couple of pains au chocolate, we were soon called for our train but had to go through very stringent checks first. Every car was called in to be checked, and they waved a wand over all the surfaces. I had to go and open the boot and a policeman also peered into the back of the car in case we were hiding someone in the footwell! I think they were looking for the escaped prisoner who had absconded from Wandsworth last Wednesday. Soon, though, we were able to drive down to the platform and board the train. We set off on time.
The 35-minute journey was smooth and relaxing and I think we all had a sleep. We had three vehicles in our carriage and everyone stayed in their cars, and it was lovely and quiet. The movement of the train always lulls me to sleep and it was great to have a little nap en route!
Ruined by Rouen...
We arrived in France at 8.30am and had a great journey until we reached the city of Rouen. Trish took us off the motorway and we drove through the outer suburbs. It was here I needed three sets of eyes as there were numerous pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. All was going well until we approached the autoroute again and the traffic ground to a halt. We crawled along for what seemed like ages until two lanes became one and the reason for the hold-up was clear. I was so glad we had the air-conditioning on as the temperature had been climbing all morning and was now about 27c.
Once through Rouen, we stopped for a sandwich and a sip of water at a hot aire, and we stood under some trees in the shade. Our picnic was a little warm from being in the car and we didn't stop for long.
Keith had been looking out for buzzards all morning and he managed to spot three, with also sightings of mistletoe balls in the trees! The landscape outside the window was hot and baked and it looked like it hadn't rained for ages. The temperature was now hovering around the 30c mark and the sky above was a pale blue dome of heat.
Le Pits de la Monde
We stopped at various aires throughout the journey and one particular place was horrible. Sophie joined the queue to use the loo, but came straight back out after going in, saying she had never seen anything like it in her life. Most of the loos lacked a seat and smelt disgusting. The aires are welcome and handy if you need the loo, petrol, or something to eat or drink, but some of them leave a lot to be desired! We used one toilet where the floor was covered in water, and when Sophie flushed the loo it was so violent, that it spurted water everywhere!
We made it to our first stop in Amboise at 3.30pm, and we were able to go straight into our Airbnb, the same one we'd stayed in last year. The temperature outside was sweltering and carrying our stuff into the house was hot and unpleasant. The kitchen and living room in this Airbnb are upstairs and we wanted to get the food into the fridge as quickly as we could.
I changed out of my jeans and top into a dress with sandals and we walked the short distance into the town, stopping at the first bar we came across, which was selling artisan beers.
We fell on the beers like parched travellers in the desert coming across an oasis (we had been drinking water all day) and it was like nectar! It was heaven to sit gazing at the chateau (one day we'll go inside) and enjoying the occasional waft of a breeze. All around us, people were hot and perspiring in the heat and we saw several cyclists looking even hotter!
We had a walk around and Sophie and I attempted to book a table at Le Parvis but it was closed. My daughter spotted some beautiful colourful, butterfly earrings which she just had to have!
Back at the house, I had a nap, and we all showered and dressed for the evening. It was so HOT! I don't think it's ever been this temperature in September before!
We walked back into the town and I booked a table at Le Parvis for 7.30pm. They didn't have any later tables and it was now past 7pm. The main street was thronged with bars and restaurants, and people milling about looking for somewhere to eat and drink. We chose the bar we'd had a beer in last year but the service was painfully slow, with only one young girl serving drinks. We eventually caught her attention and ordered a beer and two glasses of wine, but we had to gulp them down as we didn't want to lose our table!
Something happened further up the street with a cyclist and a couple of pedestrians, and there was a load of French shouting and kerfuffle, with a couple of men chasing the guy on the bike. We didn't know what happened, but the pedestrian stretch is used by cyclists who go a little fast at times!
Le Parvis
We have eaten at Le Parvis before, the first time back in 1999 on our way home from Spain, again in 2001, then in 2009 and now. I think it's changed hands as they were firmly closed last year when we visited Amboise. We were shown to a table in a small room and given menus.
We all decided to choose the set menu at 28.50 euros and Keith and Sophie chose the assortment of smoked duck, smoked salmon and rillons which we think were small cubes of belly pork. I went for fresh goat's cheese mixed with chunks of cucumber. Sophie and I shared a bottle of lovely Rosé while Keith stuck to beer and we shared a basket of bread.
Keith and Sophie both chose the same main course - coq au vin which was served in a bubbling pot, while I opted for grilled pork on a skewer with garlicky potatoes and an ancient mustard sauce. Delicious!
The restaurant has its own woodfire and I felt sorry for the poor chef standing over that all night!
Sophie and I both managed to find room for puds - a beautiful creme bruleé served in a stone pot. It had been a lovely meal, in great surroundings and the service had been efficient and friendly.
After paying the bill (110 euros) we slowly walked back to the house in relatively cooler temperatures. Time for bed! It had been a long day!
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