Friday 26 August 2011

Writer's Bottom. It's worth it!

'Writers Bottom' - a picturesque thatched hideaway located in a sunny glade and purchased by writer with the proceeds of her best sellers?  Regrettably not.  Although if I'm ever lucky enough to be in the position to buy that cottage I think I will call it Writer's Bottom.

Yesterday was a lucky day.  I had two articles published with photos.  What a thrill!  After our enjoyable visit to the Great Western Motorhome Show on Saturday (see Rootin Tootin post 22nd August) I came home a wrote a short piece for the Worcester News http://worcesternews.co.uk/ and emailed it off to them with four or five pics.  They printed it with two of the photos yesterday morning. 

Later in the day, Jan and Terry, motorhoming friends we'd met up with at the Show, emailed to say they'd spotted my site review about Fallowfield Dene, Hexham, Northumberland http://www.fallowfielddene.co.uk/ in the current issue of MMM magazine.  Well it was news to me as I hadn't heard a thing.  Frustratingly we weren't able to read it ourselves until Sainsbury's put them out for sale this morning.

For more information about things to do in Northumberland visit my posts 15th May, 2nd and 3rd June 2011.

Anyway I'm still walking on air, which makes a change from sitting tapping away on the PC or laptop developing my - yes you guessed it - writer's bottom.

For MMM magazine's website click on:          http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Motorhoming and Accessing the Internet

Robin getting in on the free WiFi
We imagined we'd have less difficulty accessing the internet as we travel around in our motorhome.  I admit that I have become addicted to activities that somehow involve daily internet access.  I didn't mean for this to happen but I've found that when I'm away from my daily broadband fix I have withdrawal symptoms.  I notice that I'm not the only one.  At the campsites in France where reasonably priced, or better still free internet access was available, droves of men and women jostled for space in the optimum WiFi coverage areas, braving rain and wind and dodgy reception in order to email and blog. 

At L'Orangerie de Lanniron near Quimper where the cost overcame my desire, we were willing to lose ourselves on the confusing road system just so we could find a McDonalds and free WiFi (pronounced WeeFee in France).  Yes we did eat there.

We also stayed longer than we'd originally intended at sites that provide free Wifi (Kawan Village Le Moustoir near Carnac, Camping Le Cabellou Plage near Concarneau, La Ferme Lann Hoëdic near Sarzeau) so benefitting the local economy.  Please see my relevant posts for links.

In Britain the Caravan Club is expanding the number of sites with access to the internet (currently 120).  Costs have reduced over the years, and is now between £5 for 5 hours and £40 for 100 hours that can be used over a 6 month period.  http://caravanclub.co.uk/

As a newly retired person of restricted income I needed to reduce my costs at home for telephone and broadband so decided to wave goodbye to BT (that saga has to be a subject of a future blog).  Using the internet of course to research my best options I went for Plusnet (owned by BT - but hopefully more efficient and less costly, however it is too early to say) and got the deal through comparison website Simplifydigital.  At that time they were offering a free dongle to get 'WiFi on the move' for a month - so naturally that swung the deal.  It took a while and another phone call before they sent it to me, but I was politely treated by a very nice girl who understood what I was saying, and I understood her.  She sent it to me by return with a very nice letter. So a big gold star and grateful thanks to D.Mistry, Sumeet Maru and Simplifydigital for good customer service.  For more info go to http://simplifydigital.co.uk/

Have any of you got any useful advice about free or cheap internet access in Britain and Europe?  If so I'd love to hear from you.

Monday 22 August 2011

Rootin Tootin Great Western Motorhome Show, Yee Haa!


Grasshopper and I joined thousands of enthusiastic motorcaravan owners and wannabes at the 7th Great Western Motorhome Show at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern on Saturday 20th.  When not dodging the downpour we perused the vast array of American and European Motor Homes on show, sang along to the Country and Western Bands, and indulged in a bit of motor home related shopping!  It was also good to catch up with friends Jan and Terry who we met in France earlier this year.

''Gittin' together at the Tradin' Post''
The busy showground looked like a film set as many visitors embraced the spirit of the event by dressing in imaginative western garb.  Sharpshooters researching satellite systems, graceful Southern Belles sheltering in the tea tent, an Indian Chief, his Squaw and their papoose weighing up different motor homes  - all slightly bizarre and great fun. 


Mean gunslingers, hardened cavalry men, tough Sheriffs and State Marshalls staged exciting shoot-outs several times a day in the ‘Lone Star’ group’s re-enactments. 

''Come on in and rest awhile''
Visitors with a fancy to live like the Wild West frontiersmen and women were given a glimpse of life in covered wagons complete with authentic artefacts, cooking pots, utensils and weapons.

Frontierswoman modelling a bustle.





Creating Traditional Beadwork
Native American enthusiasts demonstrated traditional crafts, dancing and poetic sign language.  Curious visitors were welcomed into cosy tepees, wigwams and wick-i-ups and shown how to do the intricate beadwork decorating clothing and accessories.

If you are interested in motorhoming and missed the show this year, put it in your diary for 2012.  See you there.

Thursday 18 August 2011

Blogger Frustration

Last week I went back into the Carnac post I'd previously published to add some more information and photos.  The photos took an age uploading, finally resulting in a warning sign saying 'server rejected'.  It was late so I thought I'd try again the next day.  This was not to be.  The 'compose' box is full of gobbledegook that looks suspiciously like HTML and refuses to go back to the original.  I searched the help topics, and posted a question.  Someone has been trying to help me find a solution, all to no avail.  I think s/he has given up, so I think I will have to delete the draft and start again.  Curses.  All that work!

Grasshopper and I recently joined Worcester Writers Circle.  We are both enjoying the fortnightly meetings.  Established members of the group are successful writers who have been welcoming and very willing to share their extensive knowledge and experience with us new 'uns.

They also have an informative website and blog  http://worcesterwriterscircle.blogspot.com/

Another blogger frustration though - I have tried to post a comment today on the Circle's blog and it keeps being rejected, but it doesn't say why or what I have to do to put it right.  UGGHH!!! Hair pulling time.  Perhaps not.  At my age every strand counts.
 
Ain't new communication great when it works?

Friday 12 August 2011

Places to Visit - Dinan and St.Malo


The Interesting Old Town of Dinan
We loved Dinan.  Wonderful oak timbered medieval buildings, bustling little narrow streets, interesting shops and pavement cafés.  Just our sort of place.  I think the sun shone too whilst we explored.  We had a lunchtime snack in the cafe near to the Basilique Saint Sauveur.  The heart of Bertrand du Guesclin is entombed there.  He was a knight and military commander in the 100 Years War, and known as the Eagle of Brittany.

There is a theatre.  The tourist office is housed in a medieval building next to it.  This building used to be the hotel where the visiting actors used to stay. 

Dinan is well worth a visit.  Next time I'd like to spend longer than just a few hours there.


Dinan Tourist Office (previously Theatre Hotel).  Theatre on the right - off photo.

City Walls of St.Malo

St.Malo was also a lovely surpise.  This busy and attractive walled city was severely damaged during World War 2, however extensive rebuilding has been completed.  This complements the oldest parts of the city.  We really couldn't detect new from old.  You can walk around the walls, which are very wide in parts. 



Mmm.. I wish I'd ordered what you're having!
On one side, you can enjoy voyeuristic pleasures looking at unsuspecting diners enjoying their seafood lunches.  On the other you can see out to the port areas and to the sea beyond.   It was too wet to venture on to the beach, but we watched intrepid youths oblivious to the cold wind and rain enjoying launching themselves off the diving platform.



What rain and wind?







Cold Weather Protection?






The city would be a good base for a longer holiday as it so much more than just a ferry port. 

Take wet weather clothes and warm jumpers.  This chap's fur collar?

It's a POODLE - thankfully still living.


Chateau de Galinée

For the final week of our French adventure we headed back to the St.Malo area, where we were to catch the ferry to Portsmouth.  The site we chose was the Chateau de Galinée, about 25 miles from the port.  http://www.chateaudegalinee.com/en/

It was pouring with rain when we arrived, and hardly stopped for the whole of our stay.  It was unpleasantly muddy which probably coloured our view of the place because the facilities were good, clean modern single sex toilets and shower blocks with loo paper and hair/hand-dryers but no soap.

There are good outdoor and indoor swimming pools.  Unfortunately the excess of water descending from above did not encourage further submersion.  We did use the nice bar and restaurant and enjoyed our meal, although the poor barman and the chef seemed to be running the place single handed the night we went and it was very busy.  The shop was well stocked with the necessities.  There is a children's play area.  We loved the pond area and the antics of the exotic poultry.   

Hen that thinks it's a cat?

Negative points:-

Arriving in the pouring rain to find Reception closed for lunch and a long queue of caravans and motorhomes ahead of us.

Plastic wrist bands (like you get in hospital) which are compulsory for all visitors.  I rebelled and refused to wear mine.

There are hundreds of overgrown trees.  This means that certain parts of the site are very dark and less inclined to dry up following rain.  Few proper paths to get from the dark side of the site to the loos, so permanently muddy feet.  Trees and many hedges are in serious need of pruning.

Wi Fi was fairly costly and only available in the bar/restaurant.



Wednesday 10 August 2011

Rhuys Peninsula, Sarzeau and La Ferme de Lann Hoëdic

It seems that the authorities in Brittany are just as willing to completely close roads as those who rule our highways and byways in the UK.  We followed the directions for our campsite at La Ferme de Lann Hoëdic only to get within 2kms and find the road closed.  It took us another 25 minutes to negotiate the diversion with some angst about the narrow lanes (small roads big rig) to get to the campsite.

La Ferme de Lann Hoedic is an attractive site, with spacious pitches and plenty of trees. 
http://fr-fr.facebook.com/Camping.LannHoedic?sk=wall

Play area at La  Ferme de Lann Hoedic
The owners Tim and Mireille Prouten (he's English, she's French - and a fluent English speaker) are friendly and very helpful.  We visited at the beginning of June and the site was almost full.  There are many return visitors who have filled the visitors books with photos, stories, sketches and paintings of the happy times they've had staying in the area and at the site.  The Reception also boasts some magnificent framed photos of birds.  These were taken at the salt marshes and surrounding area of Suscinio by a regular visitor.  Unfortunately the day when Grasshopper went at the crack of dawn, it was raining so the photos did not come up to scratch.
Unspoilt beaches at Lann Hoedic
Lots of English people are regulars, and we pitched near some to some friendly Dutch, German and French couples.  Marie Blanchette and Claude initiated us in to the delights of buttery Breton biscuits and savoury galettes.  Isn't it amazing how easy it can be to communicate when we try, even when verbal language is difficult?

The site has two mixed toilet/shower blocks which are modern and clean.  Strangely, toilet paper and soap is not provided, although there was a handryer. Lack of these necessities seems common in France.  It just means you have to remember to carry your own with you when you pay a visit, however I would prefer to pay slightly more for the convenience of having paper and soap provided.

Highlights of our visit to the Rhuys Peninsula

Craft Market in Sarzeau
Fresh Apricots in the Market

  • Sarzeau, a pretty market town with lots of pavement cafes, church and markets in the square.  Visit on market day for a wonderful range of fresh fruit and veg, fish, bread, cheese and meats.  There was also a craft weekend market.  Unfortunately it poured with rain the whole weekend.


Castle at Suscinio

Suscinio, fairytale castle, previously the home of the lords of Normandy - currently being renovated, salt marshes, avocets, long sandy beach edged with wildflowers.  I was waylaid by an elderly french gentleman near the artisans' houses and the creperie.  A very long conversation in French resulted in him trying to sell me a cottage!  He either mistook me for someone with euros to spare or something was lost in translation.

Le Passage, St.Armel, La Villeneuve.  It was another miserable. wet day when we travelled down the narrow strip of land that connects the mainland to Le Passage which is almost an island.  Flat bottomed oyster boats are moored here.  There are pretty views across the bay, a cottage on an island that made me think of Famous Five adventures, lashings of ginger beer, smugglers and strange 'goings on'.  The rain stopped and on our way back we stopped at a roadside bar tabac, I think in St. Armel.  The French have diversification just right.  This one doubled as a boulangerie and patisserie so we were able to enjoy a glass of wine whilst contemplating which of the delicious pains et tartes we would choose for a picnic.

Lively Quiberon
The Quiberon Peninsula.  A boiling hot day and we chose to visit at le weekend so the one road down the peninsula was crammed.  The most traffic we'd encountered since Quimper.  As it is a narrow strip of land there are many stopping off points to the left and right should you want a bit of wind surfing, or kite flying or a combination job.  Lots of places for wild camping too.  We just set our sights for the southerly tip and Quiberon, a lively seaside resort with wide sandy beaches and pavement cafes.  We were lucky to find a table at one, also called Le Passage and enjoyed moules (me) filet mignon de porc (Grasshopper) et frites. 

We will definitely go back to the Rhuys Peninsula and La Ferme de Lann Hoedic, we loved it and there is so much more to see and enjoy.  
A Curious Fish at Quiberon