A Small World
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- Joined
- Feb 22, 2007
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Part one- Getting there and brief summary of first 5 days of holiday in Loire Valley
Cast:
Me (21 + lot more)
DH (21 + lot more)
DD - Charys (7)
Gladys Invaluable Sat Nav to keep us on the right track
Background and plans:
All love France and all things Disney so love combining the 2.
Our 2nd combined holiday this year (also went at Easter)
Holiday was to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary
Spending 5 days camping in Loire Valley with Keycamp, 2 days camping in Paris with Keycamp then 3 days (2 nights) at Holiday Inn at DLRP
Travelling by EuroTunnel staying in Ashford for night before and after
Leaving 3 (older) sons home alone to fend for themselves and look after house and animals
Journey to Ashford (Sunday) and Ashford to Chambord (Monday)
Seems ages ago now but as far as I can remember we woke up early raring to go. Everything was all packed ready to put into the car apart from last minute bits and bobs. Got everything together then went to have a shower and get dressed and then could load the car and go.
However I realised the shower was blocked- the water wouldnt drain away. DH tried to fiddle with it but soon became apparent it wasnt going to be an easy job and couldnt just leave it so needed to get it sorted. He was all dressed ready so had to get changed into old clothes and degunge it. After what seemed like ages (and thoughts of having to call out a plumber!!!!!!) it was sorted. He could then get changed back again and get the car loaded up quickly.
We were soon off with Gladys set, Disney CDs on and DD armed with bag of mags and puzzle/colouring books to keep her occupied.
Journey down was very uneventful. We stopped for lunch on route and reached Ashford in good time. The Travel Lodge where we were staying is very nice and on a leisure park so had a wander over to see what was on cinema but only thing we wanted to see was Shrek but would have been very late finishing and we wanted a very early start so opted for a meal at Frankie and Bennys instead then returned to hotel for an early night.
We woke up early the next morning- the fact it was so hot in the hotel probably helped. We got up quickly and dressed and left for the next stage of our journey.
We were booked on the Eurotunnel at 7.30ish but knew we could probably get on an earlier one. Got there and used the auto book in system. We were offered a place on the 6.50 shuttle. Just time to go into the concourse to have a quick look at the shops and grab a cup of tea. It was then time to board. Normally we get out of our car and stand in the carriage but this time we just stayed in the car and in no time we were through the tunnel and had arrived in France. I always love the feeling of driving off the ferry or out of the train and seeing we really are in France.
Gladys had been reset but as a backup I had a map and set of directions as well. Our intention was to try and get round Paris before we stopped. However the roads seemed really busy and we hit quite a queue at a toll booth (never seen it like that before). Because we were getting hungry we decided to stop for lunch before trying to negotiate our way round Paris. Stopped at a Service station and had our first of many wonderful French meals.
Fortified we set off again.
My directions (printed off RAC website) and map (which is slightly out of date)took us on Paris Peripherique (ringroad) which is so busy and chaotic with roads and traffic everywhere. However just as we were about to hit it Gladys was trying to direct us off onto a motorway not mentioned on the directions which was also non existent on the map. As we had got into the other lane and I decided if Gladys packed up I wouldnt be able to direct DH from a motorway not on the map we stuck with the directions and headed towards the Peripherique all Ill say is its an experience, you have to know where youre going and have your wits about you (queue jumping at DLP is nothing compared to this). I was also glad it was DH driving and not me.
Once round Paris the journey was easy. We headed down the motorway and had soon reached our campsite at Chambord.
We stayed at this site about 9 years ago but couldnt remember anything about it apart from we loved the chateau which was just up the road.
We were shown to our tent, unloaded the car and then I unpacked (as much as you can in a tent) and sorted the beds while DH took DD for a swim in the pool.
We then decided to drive to the chateau. We had eaten a wonderful meal here 9 years ago in a restaurant in the grounds of the chateau and wanted to see if it was still there to have a meal there the following day on our anniversary. Fortunately it was so we booked for the following evening.
We then returned to the campsite where we got Pizza and chips from the takeaway and then collapsed into bed.
I wont go into too much detail about the next few days but will summarise
Tuesday Visited Chenonceau, had a picnic by the river and then returned to campsite and got ready for our meal at Chambord Wonderful
Wednesday Visited Saumur. We had stayed here several times in the past so revisited our old haunts. Our favourite restaurant where wed hoped to eat was closed on Wednesdays so found somewhere else. Then walked up to the Chateau which was being restored. We then drove back along the river stopping off at Gratien and Meyer factory where they make the wine Champagne style (not allowed to call it Champagne as not made in the Champagne region) and were given a tour round as they explained how it was made. We also stopped at the caves where the countrys largest supply of mushrooms used to be produced until recently. We then drove back passed Usse- the chateau which is meant to have inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty. Unfortunately as it was late it had closed but we could see it from outside.
Thursday Wanted a quieter day today so just went to Chateau of Cheverney which is much closer. Went on a truck and boat ride around the grounds and looked round the Chateau dreaming of what it would be like to live there as it is actually still occupied (all those rooms to clean though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). We then found a restaurant for lunch and returned to the campsite to relax. In the evening we drove up to Chambord where there are hides where you can watch the wild boar and deer.
Friday Wanted an even quieter day today so didnt go any further than Chambord where we wandered round the grounds and had a picnic lunch and ice cream.
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DH then took Charys for a swim while I packed everything up.
Our plans for the next few days were to go to Paris to camp but go via DLP to get our APs so we could get in before 10.00 on the Monday. We had also planned to leave the car at DLP and go to the campsite by RER taking the minimum of things so different bags had to be packed for different things (for Paris part of trip, for DLP part of trip and things we wouldnt need any more this trip)
We had a meal in the campsite restaurant and then flopped into bed ready for an early start and our brief visit to Disney not realising at that point how different things would turn out but thats part 2.
Cast:
Me (21 + lot more)
DH (21 + lot more)
DD - Charys (7)
Gladys Invaluable Sat Nav to keep us on the right track
Background and plans:
All love France and all things Disney so love combining the 2.
Our 2nd combined holiday this year (also went at Easter)
Holiday was to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary
Spending 5 days camping in Loire Valley with Keycamp, 2 days camping in Paris with Keycamp then 3 days (2 nights) at Holiday Inn at DLRP
Travelling by EuroTunnel staying in Ashford for night before and after
Leaving 3 (older) sons home alone to fend for themselves and look after house and animals
Journey to Ashford (Sunday) and Ashford to Chambord (Monday)
Seems ages ago now but as far as I can remember we woke up early raring to go. Everything was all packed ready to put into the car apart from last minute bits and bobs. Got everything together then went to have a shower and get dressed and then could load the car and go.
However I realised the shower was blocked- the water wouldnt drain away. DH tried to fiddle with it but soon became apparent it wasnt going to be an easy job and couldnt just leave it so needed to get it sorted. He was all dressed ready so had to get changed into old clothes and degunge it. After what seemed like ages (and thoughts of having to call out a plumber!!!!!!) it was sorted. He could then get changed back again and get the car loaded up quickly.
We were soon off with Gladys set, Disney CDs on and DD armed with bag of mags and puzzle/colouring books to keep her occupied.
Journey down was very uneventful. We stopped for lunch on route and reached Ashford in good time. The Travel Lodge where we were staying is very nice and on a leisure park so had a wander over to see what was on cinema but only thing we wanted to see was Shrek but would have been very late finishing and we wanted a very early start so opted for a meal at Frankie and Bennys instead then returned to hotel for an early night.
We woke up early the next morning- the fact it was so hot in the hotel probably helped. We got up quickly and dressed and left for the next stage of our journey.
We were booked on the Eurotunnel at 7.30ish but knew we could probably get on an earlier one. Got there and used the auto book in system. We were offered a place on the 6.50 shuttle. Just time to go into the concourse to have a quick look at the shops and grab a cup of tea. It was then time to board. Normally we get out of our car and stand in the carriage but this time we just stayed in the car and in no time we were through the tunnel and had arrived in France. I always love the feeling of driving off the ferry or out of the train and seeing we really are in France.
Gladys had been reset but as a backup I had a map and set of directions as well. Our intention was to try and get round Paris before we stopped. However the roads seemed really busy and we hit quite a queue at a toll booth (never seen it like that before). Because we were getting hungry we decided to stop for lunch before trying to negotiate our way round Paris. Stopped at a Service station and had our first of many wonderful French meals.
Fortified we set off again.
My directions (printed off RAC website) and map (which is slightly out of date)took us on Paris Peripherique (ringroad) which is so busy and chaotic with roads and traffic everywhere. However just as we were about to hit it Gladys was trying to direct us off onto a motorway not mentioned on the directions which was also non existent on the map. As we had got into the other lane and I decided if Gladys packed up I wouldnt be able to direct DH from a motorway not on the map we stuck with the directions and headed towards the Peripherique all Ill say is its an experience, you have to know where youre going and have your wits about you (queue jumping at DLP is nothing compared to this). I was also glad it was DH driving and not me.
Once round Paris the journey was easy. We headed down the motorway and had soon reached our campsite at Chambord.
We stayed at this site about 9 years ago but couldnt remember anything about it apart from we loved the chateau which was just up the road.
We were shown to our tent, unloaded the car and then I unpacked (as much as you can in a tent) and sorted the beds while DH took DD for a swim in the pool.
We then decided to drive to the chateau. We had eaten a wonderful meal here 9 years ago in a restaurant in the grounds of the chateau and wanted to see if it was still there to have a meal there the following day on our anniversary. Fortunately it was so we booked for the following evening.
We then returned to the campsite where we got Pizza and chips from the takeaway and then collapsed into bed.
I wont go into too much detail about the next few days but will summarise
Tuesday Visited Chenonceau, had a picnic by the river and then returned to campsite and got ready for our meal at Chambord Wonderful
Wednesday Visited Saumur. We had stayed here several times in the past so revisited our old haunts. Our favourite restaurant where wed hoped to eat was closed on Wednesdays so found somewhere else. Then walked up to the Chateau which was being restored. We then drove back along the river stopping off at Gratien and Meyer factory where they make the wine Champagne style (not allowed to call it Champagne as not made in the Champagne region) and were given a tour round as they explained how it was made. We also stopped at the caves where the countrys largest supply of mushrooms used to be produced until recently. We then drove back passed Usse- the chateau which is meant to have inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty. Unfortunately as it was late it had closed but we could see it from outside.
Thursday Wanted a quieter day today so just went to Chateau of Cheverney which is much closer. Went on a truck and boat ride around the grounds and looked round the Chateau dreaming of what it would be like to live there as it is actually still occupied (all those rooms to clean though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). We then found a restaurant for lunch and returned to the campsite to relax. In the evening we drove up to Chambord where there are hides where you can watch the wild boar and deer.
Friday Wanted an even quieter day today so didnt go any further than Chambord where we wandered round the grounds and had a picnic lunch and ice cream.
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DH then took Charys for a swim while I packed everything up.
Our plans for the next few days were to go to Paris to camp but go via DLP to get our APs so we could get in before 10.00 on the Monday. We had also planned to leave the car at DLP and go to the campsite by RER taking the minimum of things so different bags had to be packed for different things (for Paris part of trip, for DLP part of trip and things we wouldnt need any more this trip)
We had a meal in the campsite restaurant and then flopped into bed ready for an early start and our brief visit to Disney not realising at that point how different things would turn out but thats part 2.
and that is a fabulous photo of you both. Congratulations on celebrating 25 years!!! 
Not for the faint hearted 
