Today we packed the van and headed over to Jen and Bev’s. We were going to be staying at a campsite within a mile of their home. We arrived as the only campers on the site and were greeted by the Dutch owner of the campsite La Nozilliere. They had taken over the site this year. The pitches were not delimited, with no fences or hedges. Tried to connect to their electricity, but unfortunately required a European adapter. Luckily, they had one in stock. (Had we pitched elsewhere we would have found the standard electricity supply.) This campsite had been closed the previous year. The Dutch owners had bought the place during the winter and had done some work in the Sanitaire. You could see they were tall, Rosemary had difficulty with the washing-up facilities & light switches and needed something to stand on.
Another cloudy, sunny and warm day. I processed some of Linda’s beans from the pods and caught up with emails etc. Linda & Rosemary spent time cleaning the rental because some new tenants were arriving for the weekend. After lunch we drove into Niort, on the way we stopped at an Angelica field. This was maintained by the commune and had a notice about Angelica being a speciality of the region. (A very small field, so not very impressive.). We then drove to where there is a lock being renovated, eel ways and weirs. Nearby was a posh restaurant called Auberge de la Roussille. Got caught by a Frenchman who explained about the works for some 30 minutes. It dawned on us that he thought we were French. Linda is so fluent in French, and the man became surprised when he was told we were English, and that Linda was also British.
Back to campsite where we sat and drank a bottle of Cava with L&M. before going out for supper at The Patio. The restaurant was almost full. It is a clean modern looking restaurant. I ordered fish for mains, and Linda a steak. When the meal arrived, we swapped as Linda decided the steak was too rare, and I was drooling at the thickness of it.
I started off with carpaccio of beef with a strong herb (sorrel?) dressing. It was decidedly yummy. The steak was very rare in the middle, but crispy cooked on the outside. Pretty yummy as well. I finished with two giant profiterole ice-creams.
Rosemary ate a veal main, which did not impress her,
Walked up to L&M after breakfast. Weather cloudy and sunny and warm. R&L spent time collecting beans from the allotment. Lunch and supper at L&M. I did go for a short cycle ride on one of their bikes. A tad uncomfortable and tremendously heavy. Spent a while in the garden photographing a bumble bee in a passion flower,
Up, showered and breakfasted, we set out on a cloudy day, which intermittently showered, that annoying rain with the wipers on intermittent wipe. Please rain hard and get it over with, please. We headed off on the D840 joining he N12 at Verneuil-sur-Avre. Turned off on the D401 and then the ever so straight D938. Suddenly the D938 veered to the right on a brand-new road Google knew nothing about. Unusual that a new road does not appear in Google maps, at least in the UK they appear very soon after they have opened. We continued the D838, D301 to Le Mans. This time for our very first time we went past the race track.
We continued through Noyant, Saumur, Thouars and stopped for lunch at an Aires on the D938. The Aires had a closed café and some loos. There was a farm nearby selling melons. On again we then skirted Niort, passed through Coulon and at last reached Arcais.
On the way a couple of events occurred. Man standing in the middle of the road doing a survey, no Day-Glo jacket. Lucky to be alive, has health and safety bypassed the French? A little while later there was another man in the middle of the road stopping us and asking us to move to the side. He was an outrider for a rather large boat that was being transported along the road.
At Arcais we booked into the campsite, the weather was looking up, sun shining. We erected the awning, phoned Mike who was on his own, Linda being out at a choir practice. He came over with a bottle of wine and we chatted. He left to be at home when Linda returned, and we then cooked our meal. Alas the rain (very very light drizzle) had started again
Awake at 6 am, quick wash and we were away before 6.30 to catch the 10.50 Chunnel crossing. The trip was uneventful with much of the road empty of traffic except for one hold up caused by a broken-down lorry on the M25, and rubber necking drivers a mile on who were looking at a van in a seemingly impossible position on the embankment above the barrier of the M25. Travelling on a weekday is always faster than the weekend. Weekend delays often caused by inexperienced drivers slowing the traffic flows down. We arrived in plenty of time and were offered an earlier crossing than our booked trip. Yes, I had already bought my Thames crossing. Did that back in March!!!
We parked at the terminal and availed ourselves of the hospitality offered by Starbucks, coffee and pastries. Last minute loo breaks and then we were back in the van to board the train. One little break as we were taken aside to have our gas cylinder inspected, seemingly to check it was turned off. Soon we were moving off and left the terminal ahead of schedule.
We headed off south using toll free roads in a route planned by Google, passing by Boulogne, Montreuil, Vron, Nouvion, Abbeville, Blangy-sur-Brestle, Rouen, Evreux, finally stopping for the night at the campsite Camping Des Berges De L’Iton in the town of Breteuil where we arrived at 16.39. We overtook a Number 9 Routemaster bus on one road, seemingly devoid of passengers and conductor.
The final 100 yards to the campsite was fun, all roads to it were closed, but we worked around and came to the site from the opposite direction, only to find a Dutch couple coming in from the original direction. The works for the night had just stopped. One of the workman who had seen us attempt access from the other side smiled, grinned and laughed at our arrival.
On checking in we were told by Madame we could camp anywhere, so preceded to a nice spot overlooking the mill pond only to be told by some towel waving Dutch that the two pitches were reserved for their friends. So, we generously moved on to another pitch, and then I laid a long cable to the nearest power point, only to be told by Madame that I could not use that point. The other nearest power point had two spare slots, but these were for the towel waving Dutch. Rescue came from another Dutch couple on our other side who offered to plug us into an adaptor they had. This put a kibosh on the planned chicken meal as not sure we could cook while the Dutch couple were also using the power. We decided draft beers were needed from the campsite bar. Later, we ate emergency rations for the night, being tuna , pasta, pesto and cheese.
After dinner, we took a walk around the town, but it was totally dead, all bars and restaurants were closed-up tight. The only people we saw were workers taking down the funfair.
R not happy about the site, saying the very few toilets had no seats. (this became a common refrain during the three weeks). The showers I thought were rather primitive as well. The washing-up kitchen was rather chipped and worn, too. The disorganisation of allocating pitches and power points was also rather a downside. The pitches though are of a reasonable size, all delimited by low hedges. As is usual now, there were quite a few static caravans here. The site is not up to the cleanliness of many British C&C Club sites, and nowhere near the best sites like Fforest Fields.
Not to worry, we are here just for the night, before we rush on for the next 5 hours on toll free roads to Arçais to meet up with Linda and Mike.
During the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza I knew the Pilton Party tickets went on sale. While R and I were drinking at The Who’d A Thought It pub we saw the ticket office queue, snaking around the corner. After our drink, the queue was smaller. I joined and left with a ticket, cash only. Any tickets left over went on sale on Monday in the village of Pilton. The rest went on the Internet. None made it to the Internet, all tickets sold on the two days with no national advertising. It is supposed to be a local event.
On the Friday I drove down to Somerset, had lunch at the The Who’d A Thought Itpub and then bought four special Torsy Moorsy fruit cakes from Burns the Bread. Headed over to Pilton and parked in the party car-park. Camping is not catered for, but there were a few vans, and overnight many cars were left in the car park. I parked next to another camper who had been at the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, and had been next door to us.
Walked up to the field where the event was held. It is near where the John Peel stage and The Wood is. (At least I think so.) It was all fenced off, bar food and stage. Somewhere like 4,000 people were expected, and the weather was lovely.
First on were two winners from the long-running Pilton Working Men’s Club ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition, UK:ID and Arcadia Roots. As you can see not many came to see UK:ID. A rap band with a woman singer who was very good. I saw a tweet which is asking for bands to audition for next year’s Pilton Party. Though Glastonbury is not running, the party is. Watch this space.
Next up on the line-up is the fabulous Declan McKenna, who won the Emerging Talent Competition in 2015. And finally topping the bill this year were the incredible Bastille, who were last in Pilton to play a triumphant set on the Other Stage at Glastonbury 2016. They also had played Leeds & Reading in 2017, where I saw them with Selina..
I have a few pictures of Michael Eavis, should have got a selfie with him. Was so close.
Back to the camper van where I slept, very noisy in the car park, the party seemed to go on there for a while. In the morning after a lie in, headed off to find some brunch at a cafe called Hartleys Kitchen. Its on a country industrial estate and seemed very popular with cyclists on a Saturday. Two groups, one with normal bikes, and another with the latest carbon bikes and SPDs.
First time I have participated in a music festival in a campervan. Rosemary had given me permission to take Van the Van to Reading festival. I am under no illusions though, permission was granted only because Selina was coming along with me (as the responsible adult)..
Friday
I picked Selina up after 9.30 and allowed Google Maps to navigate a route to the White Gate. Google took us down some very narrow and meandering roads. We arrived at the festival with hardly any traffic and checked into the campervan area. We were searched for glass and pineapples and then let through into the van area, where we parked next to a few other VWs. Once parked we walked for 20 plus minutes to the arena in time for the first band on the main stage.
I couldn’t find the real ale bar. Reading always has one, but all the usual locations were without craft beer. Late afternoon I spotted some people walking around with what looked like real ale. Accosted them and eventually found the bar. It was much larger than before and seemed well organised, but not at all busy. As the days passed more people found it and on the Saturday it was heaving with a queue.
Judas – Main Stage
A band recommended by a work colleague of Selina’s. Rock band in the old style. Gave a credible performance.
Mallory Knox – Main Stage
Josie Long – Reading Alternative
Rob Delaney – Reading Alternative
Circa Waves – Main Stage
Jimmy Eat World – Main Stage
Two Door Cinema Club – Main Stage
Bastille – Main Stage
Bastille played a stunning set, I will be seeing them again at the Pilton Party. The sun had set before Kasabian came on.
Kasabian – Main Stage
Kasabian are always good. The stadium filled with fans wearing the blue Leicester City footie shirts.
After the band had finished we made the mistake of leaving immediately and then getting lost and ending up where the silent disco was. Had to backtrack to find our way back to the campsite.
Saturday
A nice morning, and an examination of the other campers and motor homes around us. There was a huge double decker coach nearby with an electric cooker outside making breakfast. Some other campers thought the coach was a breakfast venue! We also had several people want to look at our van, they were part way through their conversions and were wondering if a popup roof would be useful. Here is Van the Van aka Morrison with his neighbours.
Wolf Alice – Festival Republic
Blaenavon – NME
The Pretty Reckless – Main Stage
Cabbage – NME
Migos – Main Stage
Bill Bailey – Reading Alternative
Korn – Main Stage
Turbowold – Pit
Group Love – Festival Republic
Major Lazer – Main Stage
Glass Animals – NME
Yes pineapples were in evidence despite the festival pineapple ban.
Eminem – Main Stage
Watched Eminem, not really my thing, as were Migos and Major Lazer.
When we left, we alas left with the crowd, went the correct way and ended up walking at a snail’s pace.
Sunday
Pins – Main Stage
Vant – Main Stage
Slotface – The Lock UP
Pond – NME
Flo and Joan – Reading Alternative
Katherine Ryan – Reading Alternative
Giggs – Main Stage
Blossoms – Main Stage
Liam Gallagher – Main Stage
Liam is rather a miserable person. The songs were good, and when the old Oasis songs were sung, the crowd responded.
Waiting for Liam Gallagher
Muse – Main Stage
A great show by Muse with fireworks coordinated with the music.
The third day we had learnt. We stayed on in the arena, had a late supper and then left when the crowds had gone. Back at the campsite we saw the double decker coach leave.
Sunday
Tea in beds (yes, we have two – one in the main body & one in the roof, where I was) at around 8.00am and then a quick pack up and away with very little traffic. The large double decker coach had left the night before. The camper campsite was beginning to look empty, but very tidy.
We visited Valerie and Norman for a couple of nights. On the Tuesday we set off with hedge trimmer and chainsaw to trim their hedge. First job on arrival was to consume an excellent soup lunch. Then the hedge was attacked, lopping off a couple of feet.
That evening we walked to The Cradock Arms. We ordered and were soon eating. But there was a pub quiz that night. What to do. We adjourned to the bar and entered the quiz, team was named SadGits. We didn’t come last! Walked back home, nursing our bruised egos.
Wednesday morning after a fry up, we headed out to Southwell and parked in some free parking by the leisure centre. Our first stop was the Southwell Minster where we spent more than an hour looking around. Rosemary was hunting the carved mice on the furniture, think she found 9 of the 22. There were numerous carving of small heads, one which looked very much like Donald Trump, which even had been mentioned in a church pamphlet. The small carved heads stood in contrast to the rather squat fat pillar holding up the knave.
The chapter house had exquisitely carved leaves throughout. These leaves have caused a few books to be written. The chapter house also housed a picture exhibition themed on Adam and Even. There was some quite interesting representations, Unfortunately the two we might have considered buying had been sold,
A quick walk down the road to The Hearty Goodfellow for lunch. Small pub, with good beer and menu. I ate a special of Moules Frites, We then walked to the Workhouse owned by the National Trust. Interestingly, there were some rooms that had been turned into bedsits for mothers with children which were still being used in the 70s, the fathers had to stay away. Tea and then back to the Minster to visit the Great Hall in the Bishop’s Palace.
On the way home we made a detour and stopped at the excellent pub called The Ale Classroom. The Classroom is small, two rooms, but sells excellent beers, constantly changing, all served straight out of the cask. Rosemary, embarrassingly for me cos I had to buy it, wanted lager.
Back to V&N’s for a good pasta supper. The next day we left mid morning to drove back in some large downpours. Thank you Google, you seemed to have missed predicting those. Back at home there had been little rain and the garage was progressing.
We met for lunch at Peter and Janet’s meeting up with a number of former Walker employees. At the lunch party were John, Peter, Steve D, Ann, Steve & Rosemary B, Tessa & Pete R, Their better halves being Carol, Janet, Kathy, Chris, Dagmar & Robin (who was a late arrival turning up in his & Tessa’s 2CV). We were all very full after an excellent roast beef joint cooked by Peter.
The weather again held good, not sparklingly hot, but sunny and no rain.
We met up with Ceila and Richard at the Hatton Arms. Walked along the Grand Union Canal and back for 50 minutes or so in some unexpectedly brilliant sunshine. Yes, the weather had taken a break from the incessant cold and wet weather we have been having. We met C&R here before several years ago, the metal dragonfly is still in position.
Back at the Hatton Arms we had lunch on the terrace and continued to catch up with each other’s lives.
