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Published: October 5th 2008
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The search for the Holy Grail of showers
It is now a month since we began our sabbatical.
France has provided everything that we expected of it. Honfleur, Trouville and Deauville were superb, old fashioned seaside towns.
Carnac and its standing stones were a joy,and the Perigord or Dordogne area is rural and simply beautiful.
The Dordogne area has everything required to keep me interested and busy; sunshine, historical sites, and miles of quiet rural roads for cycling.
The "Le Paradis" site is the best yet in terms of facilities. I have searched tirelessly for it and have now found it:
"The Holy Grail of showers". A heated shower block and red hot shower in France? I thought it was unheard of. At last, no more freezing- cold showers and a visibly shrinking appendage .
The travelling has been a pain. Having two women tell me what to do has been stressful.
Donna has won of course and "Brenda" the sat. nav. lady now remains silent. Donna as ever, gives me direction
now.
At one point, I had a bit of a moment and parked the car and caravan in a Lidl supermarket car park in order to calm down and sort my brain out.
We have met and enjoyed some incredible people so far. My biking partner Terry, his wife Jackie, Pete,Chris and Shane, and now the fittest octogenarians I have ever met: Jan and Corry from Holland, are in their eighties and still travelling in a motor home.
We talked to them over a glass or two of wine and they told us about the Nazi occupation of Eindhoven when they were teenagers. Fascinating stuff!! Both are as fit as fiddles and full of life and wisdom.
We have managed to maintain lines of communication with our friends and family, which has been brilliant. I've not missed a match of the day yet and talking to Lauren on MSN Messenger video link has been entertaining. Our "third son" Kallum is a man of few words and grunts via computer now and again. I still send postcards to my Mum and Dad of course. Access to the internet has been extremely useful and by communicating regularly you miss people less.
I have even managed to get a bet on . I have converted
£4 into £21 courtesy of PRESVIS at seven to one each way, thanks to Paddy Power. Dad and Simon will be proud of me I'm sure.
Me and Donna are rubbing along reasonably well. We are still alive and undamaged so far despite opinion to the contrary. We will not rest on our laurels however as it only takes one spark to start a fire in Banno world.
We have been watching the pennies for the first month as I am a poor pensioner as you know. Donna has cooked some fantastic meals in the van. My Mum will be very proud of her for this as she is an expert in making meals out of nothing.
I have been unemployed now for two months and I have not worked since 19th June 2008 .
I don't miss it at all.
I love to hear the stories from work though, and laugh at the stupidity of it all and the self importance of the gaffers. I was told before I left that I would always be part of the "Police family". Just keep sending the monthly cheque please family.
Talking of family, Kev Walton still lives an interesting and exciting life doesn't he? It's always emotional and I am proud to be part of it as always. I wouldn't have it any other way mate. Love from us both for a speedy recovery and new life.
I am looking forward to coming home for a few days in November to catch up with everyone. I am missing my conservatory, Sunday Times, Sainsbury's chicken tikka massala, and Fosters in a pint glass.
Christmas will be brill. We will be able to explore the Algarve with Tom, Chris and Emily before heading for Spain and sunshine hopefully.
My highlights so far have been as follows:
The fresh prawns and mussels of Trouville.
The troglodite city at Roque St Christophe.
Donna riding Sarah's borrowed bike with me.
The canoe trip down the Dordogne river.
Carnac and its standing stones.
Sleeping well, and having a cup of tea in bed listening to the news every morning.
All of the people we have met along the way.
The 25 km Rando Silex mountain bike ride from the site up and down the valley. I completed the ride relatively unscathed at about two and a half hours and finished halfway. A very big thankyou to " Mad Tony" and Caroline who formed team GB. Caroline came second in the Ladies 25 km race.
Please come and join us to enhance our journey and the experience . You'll not regret it. We don't.
M
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