Loire Valley

Well we are away again. Down to the Loire valley and a wonderful campsite

 Terre D'Entente at Saint Martin de la Place. Right on the river bank.

 

 

We were just down the road from Saumur and had a lovely day cycling down the North side of the river into the town and back along the south bank. The villages and Chateau along the way were lovely. 

 

We stopped to rest in the park and admire the wild life. !!!!!

 

 

 

 We finally reached Saumur centre where we visited The Chateau. It is beautifully set overlooking the river and we had a drink at the local bar whilst we got over the climb up the hill.

Some of us do not have electric bikes.

 

 

 

 

We then had great difficulty finding our way across the river, indeed we had trouble finding the river to cross it. Anyway we got back to the campsite. 

On our way back Sarah had a puncture and we had to keep stopping to inflate the tyre. when we arrived at the camp, we both needed to cool off and had a swim in the Loire. You could not go forwards because of the current so you just swam against it like In a wave pool.

A really wonderful rest stop.

 

 

Summer in the UK

Well we have had a great Summer in the UK visiting all our Family and our friends.

Lots of time in Wales laying land drains and building driveways, chopping down trees and all the usual fun.

Grandchildren growing up quickly and making it OK to do childish things again.

Now on our way south again for the winter.

Here are just a few memorable shots from a wonderfully sunny UK.

 

OH DEER



Aramits and area

We arrived at our campsite in Aramits, "Camping Baretous Pyrenees", and met the friendly couple who own the site. They made us welcome and we set ourselves up on a lovely sunny pitch under the trees.





The site is delightful as is the village of Aramits set in splendid scenery in the foothills of the Pyrenees.





The old family of Aramits gave the name to one of the Musketeers in the famous book by Alexander Dumas, the name having changed down the centuries from Aramis to Aramits.
There are many walks from the site for  all abilities and also cycling routes down the valleys and in the mountains. We took a short walk along the river through a bamboo grove into some beautiful meadows with the tranquil river running along side us.











We called our pals and took the scooter over to visit with them.
Over the next two weeks we varied between gardening and sightseeing staying over at their place most nights.  It really is a lovely spot for walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers alike with a friendly family atmosphere and great cooking.

One of our away days we took our scooter on the mountain route towards the Spanish border and Pic de Anie 2500 m. With breath-taking views of all the valleys and the high peaks it is a must.

Our final excursion was with our pals into Pau for the day.
The town is very Victorian style, with beautiful buildings and we had a good walk around the streets.

On route home we stopped in Oloron Ste Marie for a very nice meal.


 

Larau Pass through the Pyrenees

We took a beautiful road through the Pyrenees over the Larau Pass and into France.
This really is Green Spain with lovely villages and castles littering the route.







All the rivers had water in them, unlike Mediterranean Spain with its dry arid landscape.

We got into the snowline at one point. 





 Later we went through the area with traces of Dinosaurs, including some impressive footprints in the rock.

We came down into France just short of Tardetts and found a lovely camps site at Aramits where we set up camp to visit our good pals Terri and Eddy for a week or so of exercise in their Garden. They are now in action with their B&B in Barcus, the pool is finished and adds a lovely aspect to their beautiful home.