Cahors

French roads are interesting, there are various options to take depending on time and cost, the fastest and expensive are the autoroutes with hefty toll fees, free standard dual carriageway and a range of suburban town and village routes with an average of 30km an hour.

Our drive from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel was just over 600 miles, by autoroute it would take around 10 hours and about £90 on tolls.

Our plan was to combine all three options, we had 4 days to get to the ferry, starting on the toll road from the south we opted to go back towards both the Lot and Dordogne valley areas, our one night stopover at the Haut de Pezaud vineyard on the way south just did not seem long enough to explore the area well enough.

On the last evening in Canet-en Rousillon, we took a walk along the beach, stopping to watch the only swimmer in the sea as he was struggling a bit to get out of the strong surf, causing him to stumble and retreat back into the deeper water a few times.

We stood and watched closely on the shore, like a seasoned old lifeguard I did mutter to Jo that as long as his head is above water he'll be fine!

After his 5th attempt he was in ankle deep water....

After letting him know we were standing down as safety crew, it was a surprise to hear his northern accent.

The conversation quickly went onto campsites and exchanging notable places to visit, he wanted to chat... or maybe he was just as surprised as us, as there was probably only a small handful of British in the big campsite we had somehow managed to bump into each other.

Duly we took in his recommendations and shared a few of the places we had been to that were worth a visit.

Our conversations over the weeks of being in France despite some language challenges with Belgians, French, Germans and Dutch have all been great, the camper community is really friendly and all for helping each other out. [Well maybe I would have gone in the water... but that's academic now 😇]

Next morning it was a quick pack up and manoeuvre out of the pitch,  we were off ... on our way home - heading north.

Our aim was to take 4 days, the first night a French Passion site near Soulliac in the Lot Valley, a 3.5 hour drive via the autoroute and tolls (£40), the alternative route would have added at least an additional 2 hours to the journey time.

Over the course of our travels we had opted not to drive more than 3 - 4 hours per day, this was to make sure we arrived at a site in the daylight, and had time to explore the area a little on the same day.

A refuel of diesel and a stop off at what could only be described as the poshest Greggs bakery, [named Marie Blachère - with its 690 branches in France], for the habitual baguette and a Tarte Au Pommes [Jo's personal favourite]... I had my own challenge - to try a different random treat each time we visited a bakery, for culinary academic research purposes- I needed to establish what was my favourite... the quest continues!!

A breakfast stop an hour or so later just off the main route, kettle on, a cuppa and pastry to ease into the journey.

It was then that Jo who had been mostly driving, mentioned her leg was giving her some pain... and yes it had ballooned up, skin was on fire.... a horse fly bite had turned nasty... so a quick text message to both of her sisters (who are trained nurses) came back with reassurance and "take a antihistamine"... which is lucky as Jo travels with a first aid kit that any ambulance would be proud of!

So rest up leg up... I was driving.....no more in charge of pointing out the places we were going through and giving out interesting facts... I had also lost control of the Spotify playlists!!

Our final destination for the day was just outside Cahors in the Lot Valley, at a French passion site 'Clos de Pougette" a vineyard at the top of a hill giving fabulous 360 views of the vineyard and valley below.

This was a stunning location, we were met by Pierre and his son, the vineyard owners, and told we could park where we wished.

A Belgian couple in a vw camper were parked up under the big oak tree, there was more than enough space for 10 vans.... but that evening it was just us 2.

As customary, we arranged to take part in a "degustation" aka a wine tasting with Pierre, and joined by the friendly Belgian couple- the chatter was fab.. a mix of Fr-inglish... we all got by - the tasting measures rather free flowing .. 6 different wines tasted.. we all left with quite a few bottles having made some great purchases... great selling strategy by Pierre!

The views were stunning... the stillness... the peace...Read more