I intended to do a weekly blog just like Mo on Balmaha, boy it is not easy. I failed in the first week. Internet access is not easy, I was thrown out of the free WiFi after each sent e-mail with a message 'Your session courtesy of Kodak' etc.

Well here goes.

Wednesday 24th June

We arrived in Dover by Sea France, cheaper than P and O this year and an existing customer discount to ensure they got our booking.

We lunched at the Old Port in glorious sunshine with the Ferries in the
background before following TomTom's directions toward Rouen.

At one point the Autoroute become a Toll Route, Tomtom instructed us to follow the non Toll route. Keeping to the right I took the lane for Caravans and Lorries, immediately I recognised the road, blow, we had done this before, we now had to go all the way down hill to a roundabout right round it and back up the hill, I could have taken the car lane with no problems.

At the top of the hill is a roundabout which takes us back to where we
would have been, the road descends and another right hand lane emerges
which being there on the inside we took, that took us right instead of
straight on, blow I did this last time too. Never mind TomTom soon has it
worked out a perilous Left turn across the oncoming stream a tight loop round a small island an back up the road to turn left to where we should have gone, yes you guessed it we did that last time too. I just hope there is no camera recording my antics each time I take this route. We vow to remember it next time, oh yes?

If we fill up with Diesel at home, Rouen is the place where it starts to run out, rapidly, big city, no problem, not when you are being guided through the industrial area, we have had fun and games before.
Rather tired and hot we decided Neuf Chatel en Bray would have a Le-Clerc for some Euros from the 'ole in the wall' and some diesel. It did, all went well, 50 Euro's of diesel gave me more than £50 back home and along with others I feel French diesel lasts longer.
Is this the better roads which get you further smoother and faster with less hold ups despite nutty mistakes, French wine, the holiday feeling or does it really give more MPG?

Once fuelled up it was off to the banks of the Sein for a couple of nights, we love it here the Ocean going ships that pass by are interesting and make for good photos like this one of a Campingcar wearing a ship as a hat.

We parked next to an English couple, sadly heading home early after being unlucky 'darn sarf'. Parked among 'vans of all nationalities they were targeted at 4AM by a thieving scum who broke the door lock.
Why do manufacturers of vans improve the lock and key system and leave them still vulnerable to a simple screwdriver and good crank? Sales Jargon that is all the locks are, many combinations so that it is unlikely that someone with the same model has the same key.
However if ya gotta screwdriver you can open them all.

The lady woke up to see the thief inside just leaving with her handbag, camera and phone.
I know how it make you feel to be done, they upped and drove North not thinking of reporting it to the police. They soon cancelled all credit cards that day but of course they needed a crime number for the insurance. Calling in on his brother who lives in France, he advised. 'Don't report it here, they won't want the crime reported in our region'.

Thursday 25th June

We volunteered to go to the village, Police National station 150m away with them to report and help with the lingo if the officer spoke no English. The building is big and impressive with pristine flags always flying otuside. We guessed that they might close for a 2 hour lunch and the sign on the door confirmed that. However it was well past opening time and firmly closed,'outside the opening hours use the system' it said. Like the intercom on flats a box sat on the wall, a large button marked "Appel". I pressed it, a recorded female voice said "Police National" and a lot more several times, the 'lot more' was at lower volume and a car or two passed by at the critical time.
I got Sue to put her ear to the speaker as I was in trouble, then a real live guy came on, no he spoke no English, Sue explained our needs, "wait there" he said,
We waited, no one appeared, the victim couple said no one will come we may as well go away, no, we said he definitely said wait here, the station doesn't look very occupied maybe he will come blue lighting round the corner.
Within about 10 mins a Police 4 wheel drive vehicle came down the hill and a young and very helpful couple, male and female officers took all details.
Tomorrow in the morning we have to return to the station when the local officer will be on duty he will have the details they took as he speaks no English at all and the form filling will be done. I stressed that the crime was in a different region and we were assured that that presents no problems.
We cycled along the side of the Sein in glorious sunshine.

Friday 26th June

A wonderful thunderstorm in the evening rumbled on overnight, at times it was like being in a battle. Part of the Camping magic is the closeness to heavy rain yet being dry and comfy.

The appointment with the Police went without a hitch except for John the victim of the theft signing in the wrong box. "Huh" said the charming young Officer, "now you are the Chief of this Police Station", and had to do the form again.
Later we headed off for a couple of hour drive to our favourite Cider Farm.

Saturday 26th June

Do you know what it is like to be a delivery drivers assistant on a French Cider Farm? I had the experience this morning. Seeing Rene loading cases of bottled cider on his van I went to assist. There were only 3 boxes actually, "are you coming with me" he said. A nearby village
was having a Fete, off we went to Saint Margerite, there the Marquee's were up and the supplies like our cider arriving. I introduced myself and shook a lot of French hands, Rene did a lot of what French men do, chatting, and we set off back to the farm.
We always like to cycle to the TI and view the Art Exposition there, the Artist's work was OK, neither of us rated it though.

Sunday 27th June

Off to the Trout Farm, stopping for water and emptying on the way we know a good Aire for this on the route, some English campingcariste's were settled in there for a couple of days on their way back from a south of France trip.
Michel at the Trout Farm was genuinely pleased to see us again despite being very busy. One of his Smoked Trout for dinner was beautiful as usual.

Monday 28th June

On his lunch break Michel gave us all the good spots to visit in the Massiff Central, his family home is there and the local knowledge should be very helpful for later on this trip.
Sixty school kids were on a trip to the Trout, they all fished and of course one lad just had to find out what it is like to be a fish swimming in the lake.
We fished later and our Trout was barbecued within the hour.