The new balance

Here's another update, this time via free wifi from an expensive Logis de France, Ariane, set in beautiful walking countryside. I'll be sleeping in the giant car across the road, although I might try to pay them off to allow me to use the pool and showers in the morning. I'll even offer them as much as 10€ - it will still be 6 times cheaper than a double room there.

Anyway, read on for the latest news on my exciting solo holiday. Feel free to flick through: I'm writing it how I would a diary, and it won't all be of interest. Read More

What an interesting holiday. My last two holiday articles described how I thought the trip would go. Here's what actually happened.

I lost the car key. Unbelievable, but as my booking on the P&O ferry to Calais was not finalized, I had options. Read on for the lowdown on Day 1.
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Some of you may have read about my proposed trip through France. In the light of the huge number of miles, I think I'm going to scale back my expectations so that I can spend more time relaxing, rather than driving. If I think how tiring it is just doing a weekend run up to the Lake District and back, I'm simply not being realistic about my health and happiness in a 10-day trip. I'll save a longer run for when I can share the journey (and driving!) with Clare, and take a little more time. Going with someone else effectively halves all the costs as well: rooms for two cost as much as rooms for one, normally, and the fuel bill is halved. On the subject of halves, I'm also inclined to believe that other halves make for more fun holidays!

Accordingly, here is my adjusted route:


View a big'un

My stop-off in La Rochelle is due to the fact that I have a friend to visit there. It is also a great town that I've visited before, and, in fact, was the subject of one of my old French GCSE textbooks (don't ask me the name... Encore Tricolor?) I feel the place needs more exploration!

My plan will be to blatt through industrial France, sticking to the countryside where possible, and avoiding toll-roads. I'm hoping for sun (aren't we all?) and to find nice, reasonable places to stay. If you care to join me, you're welcome!

P.S. Thanks to all who kindly gave southerly suggestions. I'll make use of them in due course, but Atlantic Coast sights are of particular interest now!