Steve & Rosemary Blasdale

BBOWT College Lake Tring

Posted on October 10, 2023 by SteveDecember 12, 2023

10th October 2023

The College Lake, near Tring, but in Buckinghamshire, serves as the flagship location for the Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), of which we are members. Apparently, the acquisition of this quarry by BBOWT is steeped in historical significance. Originally a working chalk quarry, the site underwent transformation in the mid-20th century into a nature reserve due to the collective efforts of conservationists and the local community. This shift from industrial use to a conservation area marked a pivotal moment in the history of BBOWT, signifying their dedication to preserving natural habitats and fostering biodiversity.

Returning from our holiday in France, we intended to make Tuesdays special with an outing. Our first visit would be to College Lake, an attraction long overlooked despite our longstanding membership and support of BBOWT. The day boasted ideal conditions—abundant sunshine and warmth—perfect for a leisurely walk around the lake, an exploration chosen for its length, preceding a well-deserved lunch break.

The trail predominantly comprises cement pathways, ensuring accessibility even during soggy weather in the winter months. However, the paths unfortunately veer away from the lake’s edge, posing challenges for wildlife observation and photography. Though hides offering closer proximity to potential wader sightings were present, the allure of lunch prompted a deferment of this exploration.

On the far side of the lake stood a collection of antiquated farming machinery, serving as an intriguing interlude during the walk.

Upon our return to the BBOWT shop, we had lunch outdoors.

French Camping 2023, Day 28

Posted on September 26, 2023 by SteveNovember 7, 2023

26th September 2023

We headed on home, stopping at Reimes, just off the toll road at an Leclerc. Here we bought some Ricard. It was a huge shop, but strangely not that well stocked, and difficult to find items. Wine appeared to be in three different places. One drink we never saw on the shelves during the whole holiday was Campari. Don’t the French drink Negronis?

Topped up the diesel, didn’t think I would make it home, it was 1.92 a litre. The days of cheaper fuel in France are gone.

Back on the road again, and to the chunnel. Check in was quick, ran to the duty free, purchased some Cointreau and Jack Daniels, making use of Boris Johnsons world beating duty free allowances.

Then French Customs, 3 minutes wait in queue. The French officers spent more time chatting amongst themselves and showing each other social media shots on their phones, than stamping the passports.

Then it was the English passports, a five-minute wait, we seemed to have hit a shift change.

Then a little wait to load and we were off. So convenient and quick. There is no other way I will travel across the channel. I must take the Polestar to France one day. There are so many chargers on the autoroutes.

Back in England, even the dreaded Blackwall tunnel crossing failed to delay us for long, yes, we had to stop but it was a pretty good trip home. The rest of the nNorthern M25 failed to delay us. 70 all the way around, except for a small section where a car had been stranded on the verge.

All in all a pretty perfect trip today.

French Camping 2023, Day 27 Camping Nature

Posted on September 25, 2023 by SteveNovember 7, 2023

25th September 2023

Another sunny day, just wish the nights were a little warmer. The site is well shaded by trees, so ideal for a hot sunny day. The trouble is at this time of year you need as much sun as possible. We didn’t get the sun until quite late, so breakfast was a little chilly. The afternoon was better, we were in the sun for this. As evening came around the sun also started to be hidden by hedges.

In the morning we walked up the canal in the opposite direction to the lock. They were working on it. Was this the reason the water was low in the canal?

We checked out of the campsite and took down the awning (shed). I pumped the air out of the struts, and with a lovely dry canvas was able to get the awning into its bag and was even able to do up the compression straps, and tighten them by several inches. A real success.

French Camping 2023, Day 26 Camping Nature

Posted on September 24, 2023 by SteveNovember 7, 2023

24 September 2023

Another lovely day.

We wished our daughter a very happy birthday

The English couple left today, the German woman on her own was going South, she was interested in Flamingos, so we suggested Saint Maries. She wondered if the poor tabby cat had had his tail trimmed in the French poodle style. R not amused.

a red VW campervan turned up with a v clever registration> One of the owners said it was an easy one to remember.

We walked along the canal in the morning, much more traffic today, quite a few out on their Sunday constitutionals. Though why have music blaring as you cycle along the path? We walked to the grain silo, and then back by the road to home. On the road back we passed a new poplar tree plantation, maize and sorghum.

In the afternoon I went for a walk to the campsite lake, spent a little time snoozing in the sun, and then played with the camera. I experimented with photo stacking for different focus points. Eventually that worked out so I was able to take some reasonable flower shots which were in focus.

Walked back up to the campsite, passing the football site.

Lovely evening with blue sky and vapour trains. The sparrows were in full volume, and some bats came out to play.

Some Germans arrived in their van after dark at 20.38, directed in by R.

Tonight’s dinner was green beans, sausages, tomato and onion, and a bottle of fizzy pink.

French Camping 2023, Day 25 Camping Nature

Posted on September 23, 2023 by SteveNovember 5, 2023

23 September 2023

Rather chilly during the night, Winter is definitely on its way. Today looks to be a gorgeous day. The weather managed a very short shower before we left the campsite. Various other campers, including an English couple, were walking or cycling to the nearest large village for the market. We ambled over to the lakes. Much more formal now, signs prohibiting non campers’ entry to them. The lake division had been completed, and there were fences not allowing further access to the next lake.

We wandered around the grassy areas. Plenty of wildflowers and weeds, the little grass there was short. Not many birds around other than a couple of swans arguing and flying between the ponds. Plenty of insect life which we photographed.

Back to the tent for lunch, then I took a walk to the nearby village to visit a supermarket. Lovely walk along the canal side, saw a few bikes going either way. Excellent cycling path, so smooth. The canal was very low in water. Seeing the grain silo on the bank side, it does seem the canal is still used for commercial traffic.

I found the supermarket and purchased the next three days of provisions. Hopefully, the ample supply of not-French-baguette type sliced bread will last longer.

Walked back by the road instead of the canal which was slightly shorter. On my 30-minute walk, I was passed by only three cars.

Campsite was a bit fuller today, Rosemary narrated about the German couple who came, used the toilets and one had a shower and then they left after lecturing her about the cold shower water. She showed them how to turn it to hot.

Thankfully the Dutch couple who pitched nearby were much nicer. Turned out they had worked in Kenya in the 70s. They had a BMW car towing a very cute old caravan. It was more than 60 years old, had a popup roof with bright orange canvas. They said it was so hard to find replacement canvas of the same color. R had a tour of it, while the chap tried out his Swahili on me.

After supper we took a short walk around the village. Some nice areas, but also derelict buildings around by the church. Looks like a proper renovation will be happening there some time.

French Camping 2023, Day 24 Camping Nature

Posted on September 22, 2023 by SteveNovember 5, 2023

22 September 2023

Today was forecast to be dry during the morning, so we spent it wandering around the Pont-de-Vaux. Quite a few shops, plenty of hairdressers, no charity shops, some unusual shop fronts. One business must have been someone who produced posters/advertising. There he was working in the premises; the shop window was full of old type set cabinets. R was entranced by one where the drawers had purposely been built on a slope. There were also some old iMacs and a Philips computer. We stopped for a coffee, and also visited the small Intermarche for lunch provisions. We found & bought Kitale coffee! The walk back took us past more odd shops, more hairdressers, and another odd shop with clothing, the owner pounced out at us, so a hasty retreat.

Back to the van and we headed north to our next stop. Mainly on toll roads. The weather produced some horrendous rain with very poor visibility, which slowed us down. We stopped for a picnic lunch in the grounds at a service station. We watched a couple of EVs draw up to charge. France has so invested in EV charging on the motorways.

We got taken off the toll road earlier than I thought and proceeded up some National Road or other. Unusually I got a little tired and had to stop for a 10-minute power snooze.

We arrived at our campsite in Luxémont-et-Villotte, Camping Nature, small, we have been here before. Very rural, no chalets, just 27 odd pitches for tents and vans. Downside, 6-amp electricity, so induction hob not on full blast, but there was plenty of heat to cook duck breast.

R recalled the cats which lived there (she would). The Norwegian Forest cat appeared to have had an accident with his tail, but was still friendly. The owner said the black one was “sauvage” but R managed a series of strokes.

As the sunset, the local shooters were out in force. Lots of shooting and shouting in the woods, ponds, and fields below us. The weather improved, and the evening was almost cloudless, though a bit on the chilly side.

Bottle of beer with duck breast for supper.

Coffee from Kitale

Cooking Duck Breast

Camping Nature in the evening

French Camping 2023, Day 23 Pont-de-Vaux

Posted on September 21, 2023 by SteveNovember 5, 2023

21st September 2023

Packing up day, it was actually quite dry with some sun shine. The forecast suggested no rain for the day at the coast. The awning was mainly dry, the puddles inside by the corner had diminished, but there was mud everywhere. Managed to collapse the canopy onto its ground sheet and made a reasonable job of packing it away clean. I gave up with the compression straps on the bag, packed it away as best as possible. No big issue, no shortage of space. where the canopy is placed in the van.

One last goodbye to the black cat who was sitting at the doorway of the owner’s mobile. He had survived the frenzied attack by the unruly dog. R and owner happy.

We headed out aiming for a campsite at Pont-de-Vaux, Camping Le Champ d’été. We had once visited this site on the route back to England. Our intention was to visit the small town/village and walk around the boat basin on the small canal which joins the river Saone et Loire. I had penciled in a couple of nights. We arrived in the pouring rain, the reception was closed. There were a couple of other vans waiting, one French and the other American. How can American tourists always sound so obnoxious? Anyway, the receptionist did arrive, and we booked one night.

The forecast looked bad for tomorrow, with a possible small break in the morning. The days after looked good. We decided we would spend the night here, do a little exploring in the morning and then head up north during the rain to the next camp site, Camping Nature at Luxemont-de Villotte, where the weather should be fine.

We spent the evening sitting in the van listening to the rain.

French Camping 2023, Day 22 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Posted on September 20, 2023 by SteveOctober 26, 2023

20th September 2023

Today the forecast was for crap weather. In the end, it actually stayed mainly dry for the morning and early afternoon. We headed into town for lunch. We had decided to eat at the Ambiance Tapas restaurant we had eaten at the year before. Town was eerily quiet, with a few restaurants and hotels closed for the season. It must be the recession, I am sure it was far busier last year. Last year, there were two boats doing the cruise up the Little Rhone whereas this year there was just the one. One bar/hotel we had drunk in last year after the cruise was closed this year. We stocked up on a couple of provisions including some fresh milk. We had a coffee in a small bar where we had once taken shelter from a rainstorm a few years back. We had our Zoom call with the SadGits by the church (I see a theme developing here), which we cut short from our end because of hunger pains and threatening weather.

We made it to the Tapas bar and sat inside, just in case it rained. We ordered the same mixed Tapas as last year. R chose the mixed, and me the sea food prominent one. We both had a Ricard as a pre-prandial. R wanted the glasses, not like our tall ones, but more tumbler shaped. The glasses had marks for the level of Ricard, and the water, before the ice was added.

After the meal, another walk around before heading home. We were nearly back, when the heavens opened, and the rain came in from the sea. Thankfully we had prepacked out waterproof ponchos which kept most of the rain off us.

Back at camp we dried off in the van, having shed our wet outer layers in the awning. Later, during the evening the rain came in hard, leaving puddles which needed navigating in the dark. Unfortunately, the awning was in one such puddle so one end of the canopy and the kitchen unit were flooded.

We were expecting more rain, during the night, but there wasn’t much. We had expected to pack up in the rain.

Lunch at Ambiance Tapas

Hummingbird hawk moth

Vintage sports cars

The bullring

French Camping 2023, Day 21 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Posted on September 19, 2023 by SteveOctober 26, 2023

19th September 2023

Today we were up at the crack of dawn or as early as the side gate to the campsite allows, 8.00 am. It also closes at 20.00. It used to close later, and you could take a walk on the beach after sunset. No more, why? We have our pass to unlock the gate during the day time.

We headed of to see the flamingos, who were miles out in the ever-diminishing salt flat. We did see egrets and herons (rather like home) plus small birds, dragonflies and a stoat?

Back at the campsite, lunch and a swim in the sea for Steve. Later, R became very upset when a large dog, not on a lead (which is against campsite rules) went for the cat. There was a lot of shouting, and crying. Cat survived. Unfortunately for him, he was on a lead, so maneuvering tricky.

Supper was pork with fried vegetables, including potato.

French Camping 2023, Day 20 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Posted on September 18, 2023 by SteveOctober 26, 2023

18th September 2023

After a sleepless night, I arose, and did a little more adjusting to the awning, tightening the guys and anchoring those fixings that had come loose.

Breakfast outside, overcast, but windy. A small percentage rain forecast and thunderstorms (which did not happen). We walked into the town along the coastline for a wander around. Searching first for a bar we like. A very small bar which served drinks only. We found it, The Poets Bar, closed, the owner retired and premises up for sale. Looked like it had been closed for a while. Such a shame, it was a lovely place, no pressure, and a pleasant owner. Unlike the bar we ended up drinking at . Seven euros for 500ml and surly staff. No tip left. As we departed, R remembers this had happened before at this bar. Why don’t we learn? R also double-checked with me to see if I wanted to run a bar. (I said no.)

We then searched out the Tapas restaurant we had eaten at before, Still in existence! This may be our Wednesday lunchtime destination.

Walked back, stopping at the small Intermarche for some food, wine and beer. No fresh milk, so opted for some Greek Yogurt for our cereal in the morning.

Back to the campsite for some cheese and bread, snooze, and then I went out with the camera. Not particularly successful. The water level seems to be down, so the majority of birds were a lot further inland than we’ve seen before. Grabbed a few pictures including dragonflies.

Supper was sausages, potatoes and mange touts, a pint of IPA for me, rosé wine for Rosemary.

Weather is now calm, which means the dragonflies are out in the evening, (good) and the mosquitoes are around and biting (bad), but at least not as prolific as they sometimes are. We once had a problem with ants here, but, so far, so good.

Rosemary spotted a French owned black cat and managed to get a picture of it cowering behind a washing bowl at his owner’s unit. He was very nervous and not up to a stroke. He was on a harness and lead. The owner much amused by R’s cooing.

Peaceful night tonight, and an expected sunny day tomorrow. Intention is to be out of the gate at 8.00 to visit the saltmarshes.