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Chasing Eggs in France 2023Chasing Eggs in France 2023
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Chasing Eggs in France 2023

September - October 2023
France with Bobby-Claude, our trusty Chariot.
A tour of France during the Rugby World Cup 2023, taking in a few of the matches and the sights and tastes of France. Read more
  • 35footprints
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  • 22days
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  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 22

    Merci Beaucoup!

    October 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Thank you to you, the penguin followers. Hope you've enjoyed following our trip. We are so glad we did this, it'll serve as a lasting reminder of the trip. We'll definitely do it again although we'll wait for something more interesting and far flung than tonight's trip to Leyland to pick up a Chinese for two!
    We also return from France with a list of reasons to go back, mainly because we wanted to fit so much more in at every stage of the trip.

    Bobby-Claude is fully unpacked now and we are a few washes in.

    And last but certainly not least, Thank you Kev, my favourite travel companion. You've had to adapt over the last few years and it means some adventures aren't possible, but despite the many challenges you face, some visible, some not, you never fail to focus on what you CAN do.
    Your positivity despite adversity brings me buckets of happiness, self determination and pride.
    You're also really very funny to have around and there's no-one else I'd prefer to drink a bucks flat with! 😉
    Together - Australia 2027? 🏉🥂🇦🇺    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 22

    Completing the travel loop

    October 12, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    With a pre dawn alarm set we were prepared for a long day.
    Final pack, lift and load (where did all that wine come from?!) Mopped the Lodge on my way out and our final french leg, a journey of 40 minutes in Bobby-Claude to St Malo begins.
    We started this trip with a decent sized playlist and that grew as events were backdropped with songs. If you've been following the rugby you maybe heard this crowd favourite. https://youtu.be/atgEDPX-uX4?si=JQYRS2SWCWnbvH-t
    It's a song from the 1970s that's been picked up by the rugby crowds. Had to do a little research but we found it and it'll forever be the soundtrack tune to our trip.
    As we drove through the misty roads of Brittany we sang along, also commenting that we had arrived in mist, we were heading home in mist with a massive block of perfect, yet unseasonably hot weather wall to wall in the middle.

    Boarding The Bretagne was straight forward and passengers were few. There was no issue getting a space in seating areas or restaurants. Since leaving UK soil we had driven 1996.4km,
    We felt sad leaving port but decided to enjoy the 9 hour crossing as part of the experience. A surprisingly decent lunch followed by a surprisingly deep snooze. No luck on the music bingo I'm sad to report but bingo is a game of luck whereas a quiz requires skill, tenacity and quick thinking. To reward our outstanding victory we got a certificate and a Brittany Ferries sun visor, blue, so automatically mine.
    And now, remember DRIVE ON THE LEFT, DRIVE ON THE LEFT! The sun was setting as we arrived and the sat nav showed a 4 hour drive ahead. We had decided to stopover in Portsmouth on the last ferry journey there and we both said we would rather've just taken the hit and headed home. Our 4 hour journey turned into a much longer and more tiresome one though after the M6 was closed and a detour through Staffordshire was needed. This plus sections of roadworks one after another held us back. Driving in France is an absolute dream compared to this.

    And so, less than an hour into Friday morning, ended an 18.5 hour day of travel. Back home, overnight essentials unpacked, water and bed.
    One more footprint to come x    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 20

    Tale of the unexpected

    October 10, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    We've sampled some amazing food, wine and beer whilst on this journey.
    Special runners up prizes:
    Eating chez Shurms - Rillettes de poulet on fresh bread, Kwak beer, blue cheese bbq burgers, toasted cheese.
    Eating out: Sables seafood, caramel au beurre sal with madelleines, chicken kebab galette (yes, they are a league above over here), Rose blush, yes please!
    But we really didn't expect to experience the most wonderful cuisine at what really is a holiday camp. A great one though, and we will post another footprint on that subject!
    The wonderful golf club house restaurant here at Les Ormes drew more ooos, mmmms, ohhhs than anything tasted previously. Even the mushroom ravioli starter was a big hit. So here's a cheers to the best red I've ever tasted, perfect filet steak, delicious pork and desserts that blow your mind. Thank you le club.

    I'm bloody starving now! 😫 fire up the Barby for the last time in 2023!    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 19–22

    A first, and a last

    October 9, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Our very first eurocamp experience, and our last of 8 stopovers over the Channel.

    We were unsure what to expect and after chatting with some seasoned eurocampers we were told that this site, Domaine les Ormes is a good one in terms of activities, spaciousness and cleanliness. It didn't disappoint.
    After a three hour drive and stops at the chateau in Nantes and the detour to Ancenis it was 7pm as we turned off the road and into the site. I was tired and just ready to relax.
    Between me and a glass of red stood the check in though and I was expecting something lengthy, rules, regulations, etc
    I approached the reception desk ready with my 8th practiced intro 'bon soir' 'parle la francaise en petit peu' on the tip of my tongue. But, before I could speak.
    'Mrs Shurmer? Where've you travelled from love? I bet yer ready to chill out'. The lovely Diane hailed from Chorley and knew our village, our street even, really well. Scenes aren't always the way we set them in our minds are they?
    So a lovely few days were had and we managed a little ride out to the nearest market town, Dol de Bretagne. Very pretty with lots of timber framed houses and quite a history.
    We also managed to get Kev in the water in the dome, the indoor pool facility at the site. Only a few cuts and bruises were sustained and now I have my very own Tarzan!    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 19

    Twin Town

    October 9, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    I said in an earlier update that I'd been to Nantes before but I think I misjudged timings slightly.
    Every year a group of students took a trip to Ancenis, Kirkham's twin Town, which sits on the Loire River, in Vendee region. I expect this exchange business happens across the lands. For two weeks they stay with the French family of a similar aged student to be immersed in French living. The students then travel on mass, French and English, back to Kirkham for the reverse experience.
    1982, when I had just finished my penultimate year at Carr Hill High School was my year.
    The village we live in now, Croston, is twinned with another town, further down the Loire, Azay le Rideau and whilst time restraints meant we couldn't visit this time we did manage to get to Ancenis en route to our next stop, Dol de Bretagne.
    I couldn't really forget the imposing bridge but the rest of the town was quite alien. I was really hoping for a sight I'd remember but it wasn't to be. I did then start to wonder what became of Isabel, my exchange friend, her little sister Miriam and her lovely parents. Maybe I'll contact the twinning committee and see what we can do?
    And as for Azay le Rideau, we will just add that to the list of reasons to return 🇫🇷    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 19

    Goodbye to Nantes

    October 9, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After a full on Rugby weekend we took the opportunity to visit the Dukes chateau in the centre of town.
    Well worth a visit! Especially as Kev was very happy to add another chateau visit to his list!
    The lovely Japanese girl is Yumiko. We were crammed onto the tram back into Nantes centre with her after the Rugby yesterday. She came rushing over to us in the chateau, what a coincidence!

    One more place left to stay in France... back on the road with more French tunes to add to the car playlist    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 18

    Argentina 39 - 27 Japan

    October 8, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The best game and atmosphere we've experienced live.
    Incredible fans and the odd world class try or three!
    Nantes has an old stadium so access was a bit 'sticking plaster' at times and the efficiency of Lyon wasn't replicated here. Access was through the main concentration of fans and the young girl leading us through wasn't the most assertive at creating a path through exuberant groups of supporters. Luckily I am!
    My 'companion' seat was two blocks away so I stood behind Kev for the game, only challenged once and I wasn't in anyone's view. In fact many more companions were doing the same.
    But let's not focus on that. Throughout our trip we've had many obstacles, it's often unfair but we find a way. We are good at that!
    The match was a joy as it swung blue and red. Kev commenting at one point 'pass me a bowl of sushi, I'm Japanese' and as the play transferred to the Pumas 'pass me a bowl of corned beef, I'm Argentinian'! No apologies for stereotyping today!
    My tears flowed as red and blue fans hugged and exchanged shirt, explaining the history of their jerseys as best they could to each other. The Japanses bow to all sides of the stadium was respectfully joined by the Argentinians. More tears.
    Nantes continues to deliver and with 4 nights remaining in this wonderful country emotions are growing.
    'Pass me the cheese please, I'm French'    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    2
    Day 18

    Home nations Saturday

    October 8, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Wales 43 - 19 Georgia
    England 18 - 17 Samoa
    Ireland 36 - 14 Scotland
    A great day in Nantes, meeting our friend Neil who was off to the Wales game in Nantes. We watched that game in an Irish bar, the England v Samoa game at the fan village then the Ireland v Scotland game in the centre of town.
    You couldn't move in some of the old town streets but the fans were brilliant at parting the waves to let Kev through the masses. We managed to find seats in a bar just on the outskirts of the masses and were looked after by more fantastic staff.
    All nations mixed wonderfully. What an atmosphere!
    We think a long weekend to Nantes is now high on the priorities! I have been here before, 42 years ago, but more about that in a few days.
    Today is game day... off to watch Argentina v Japan and to meet more of their followers.    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 16–19

    Back to the Rugby!

    October 6, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    You need a fair amount of kit when travelling and not being held by airline baggage restrictions the packing planning alone was a feat. Bag A has all we need for every stay, then there's a kitchen bag for self catering locations, a cool bag, kevs clothes bag, my clothes bag, shoe bag, laundry bag, top up bag. The only one left in the car every time so far being the coats bag. Thank you to the weather gods for that!
    Car tertris is something I'm excelling at with distinction so far!
    Before our trip my sister in law, Anne, told us she'd stayed in a town near Sables on a French exchange visit. So we drove through La Roche sur Yon to see if there were any sights we thought may bring back memories. The town was really busy but we managed to pull in on Bvd d'Angleterre and take a couple of photos.
    Kev wanted to drive by some château, or is it châteaux? I'm not sure, we did though and the one in the pictures has a bit of recent history. The right hand turret as you look at it is original but the rest of the building was badly burnt. Sadly, a 78 year old man lost his life in the fire.It's currently being restored to its original state
    So, to Nantes, and a straightforward check in at Resid Spa, where are back to çatering for ourselves, or dining out maybe.
    We hadn't watched a France game out in a bar or at a big screen with the French fans yet and wanted to take in that atmosphere. So we headed for the Fan Village on the tram.
    The French victorious 60 -7 but also magnanimous when Italy scored their only try in a very one sided game.
    A great atmosphere with pockets of Welsh supporters also present as they play Georgia in Nantes the following day.
    On that note, its 'home nations' Saturday with Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland all in action.
    Time to dig out the roses from the clothes bags and head off to meet a good friend in the city....    Read more

  • Chasing Eggs in France 2023
    Day 15

    Eating, Drinking, Chilling in Sables

    October 5, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    After 4 glorious days we are moving on today. Not a bad step count of over 50k but definately needed to offset the fantastic food. Big love for the local seafood which I've definately made the most of.
    Now to pack Bobby-Claude up again and onto Nantes and back to a Rugby filled few days. It's just a short journey today, under 2 hours so a little sightseeing en route is likely to be on the cards.
    Merci Les Sables D'Olonne! We will be back! 🏖    Read more

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