ann and andy lawrenson

Said a grumpy old lady named Ann

I’m fed up with this caravan

I prefer a hotel, and a good one as well,

So take me there, soon as you can.

We have had a very pleasant couple of weeks back at La Touroulet campsite, although when the news from home is not good one feels a bit useless. We had a really good lunch with Simon and Shari near Perigeux, and looked at lots of houses without finding one that we both fell in love with. We have also done a bit of walking, and I’ve done some cycling and swimming. The people who run the campsite, Ruth and Peter, are brilliant and will do anything to make life pleasant. It’s a lovely peaceful rustic site, but not too far from facilities, so if anyone wants to borrow the caravan between now and 1st December just let us know. The russet colours of autumn are just beginning to kick in, and the hedgerows are full of nuts and berries.

As the opening verse might suggest, Ann is not quite as keen on glamping as I am, so we have decided to have a “holiday” for a couple of weeks. We have just arrived at an excellent chambres d’hote at Tuillac, near Blaye. It is called the Chardon Fleuri, and the gardens are beautiful. We are planning to visit the Napoleonic fort at Blaye tomorrow and have a day in Bordeaux on Thursday before moving South to have a look at  St Jean de Luz, Biarritz, and San Sebastian. Then, if the Beast is still going and we have any dosh left at all, it’s down to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim, over to Pamplona and back up to Pau before returning to Chalais to pick up our stuff and head south for the winter. I suggested taking a two man tent and a couple of sleeping bags to reduce the cost, but sadly my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. All the best, Andy.