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Working on the farm
I knew those wellys would come in handy!Sorry it's taken so long for an update!
On reflection the gite was very nice but just like being at home. Not really what I was looking for….
Onwards…………..
Our next Wwoofing. We arrive at our next hosts, organic veg farmers. Again very rustic but what a great time.
The children love riding on the back of the tractor. Marshall has taken to the chickens and now thinks we shouldn’t buy eggs from the supermarket, you can collect them yourself. Makes it quicker to the table and therefore to eat!
We plant onions, pot on plant seeds and my highlight planting potatoes, on the back of a tractor in the rain. I was on a mission!.
We all really enjoyed this stay, mainly because Brendon & Mandy are such lovely people. The French bingo night- one of the prizes being a cement mixer was a experience. Luckily we didn’t win the mixer. Marshall had his eye on the Wii.
I have left it late to contact our next stay- I ring them the night before and leave a message!! We can’t get hold of them, I think we both secretly hope we won’t
Mandy and Brendon's
The kids were born the day we arrived. be able to contact them as we have decided to head straight for the Dordogne. 10pm the phone rings, yes it’s fine to arrive tomorrow!!!
We have arrived in a different world. The first dishwasher in 4 weeks! Amelia and Marshall are horse riding within a few hours of arriving. Amelia is trotting around quite happily.
They make us welcome and the food is great, it’s all very English!! Marshall is playing on the WII and building dens in the fields. They have everything you can think of BUT they all constantly shout at each other. By the end of the day it’s lovely to retreat to the peace of the caravan. The children enjoy this stay the most as there are 3 boys to play with. Marshall makes a great friend in Harry and wants to go back. Brian and I are not so keen. They want us to stay for quite a while but the week is plenty for us.
We visit a castle and get to dress up in costumes.
Wwoofing and helping completed. NOW we feel like a holiday!!!
Down to the Dordogne, very beautiful but it rains the first four
Taking a break.
Our last Help Exchange days. When the sun shines the children swim and play in the pool. We visit a bastide town,Domme. The campsite is lovely and we are right next to the river in a gorge on a really large pitch.
Next stop Perpignan, south of France. We attempt our longest drive so far just over 4 ½ hrs. We decide to use the toll roads as its over 2hrs quicker. The scenery is much more Mediterranean and the temperature is hot! In the late 20s.
We arrive hot and tiered at the campsite. We go to find a pitch, Brian doesn’t like any of them. Quick look in the book to find another campsite not too far away. Sean (sat nav) is reprogrammed and off we go.
Ok now we are really hot and tiered! Legs down on the van we are set BUT no, we can’t get the electric to work. Up to reception, she suggests moving pitch, I explain with a wave of a hand and my eyes rolled into the top of my head that she must be joking! It’s just taken I don’t know how long to set up. She understands, she will send maintenance
man, I forget the words for how long and ask how much?
Realising it could be sometime we head to the bar! A glass of cool wine is what is needed.
We head back to the van to find maintenance man has arrived, opened a box, pressed a few things and we have electricity. All is well!
We then play kill the midges for the next few days. Brian loses and gets bitten the most! They don’t seem to like Amelia and she escapes bite free. We stay just a few days.
Viva Espana!!!
We cross the border. Arrive on site, free wifi and the children are free. Site is full of retired nationalities. The facilities are fab. The food in the supermarket is soooo much cheaper than France. We start to feel very settled. School work is coming along nicely here.
The weekend and the Spanish arrive, families and families of them. The site comes alive with noise and barbies.
Yesterday we visit the Ruins of Empuries. We follow the signs, the car park is closed but the car in front seems to know where he is going, we go down a dirt track.
The car behinds follow. Car in front turns into a small field full of builders working. Car behinds follow. Brian and I look at each other, is this right? Car in front is French and car behind is Netherlands. Everyone gets out there cars and stand in the building site field and stretch. No one wants to make the first move, we are all obviously here to visit ruins, just no one knows where they are.
Spanish builder comes over and starts to talk to us. We have no idea, he points to the barrier, no still no comprehendo. He goes over to the barrier and moves it, back and forth. The Dutch family are looking, we look at the French family, I ask if they understand? Ok they are French, the builder is Spanish and I have asked in English!
I think the general gist is we are not supposed to park there but he will let us today as the barrier was not across. The Dutch are in front, we follow, the French follow us. We walk down a dirt track, round the corner and spy a enormous car park @ 20 cents per minute!!!
Ok, we have parked now where are the ruins? Should we go left or right? There are no signs. The beach is straight ahead. Dutch family head for that. French family go back up the hill? And we go right. Yes we have found them. And yes it’s a huge pile of old stones!!! We decide not to pay to go in as you can see a lot of it from outside the wire fence!
Have a great walk along the beach. The ruins were a success.
The children have been making cakes and scones. We tried to whip some cream but it wouldn’t work. We have a balloon whisk, Brian has an idea, he has a power drill. Next fit the end of the whisk into the power drill and yes you have an electric whisk! Cream whipped in no time. Cake filled with cream and strawberries.
No cake pan and at 12 euros too expensive too buy, as I have loads at home. Didn’t think I would be making cakes and quiche.
I have an idea use the frying pan I bought. Brian unscrews the handle and we have a perfect round pan. No
La Rochefoucauld castle
Marshall wanted to keep his. cost.
I can now knock up a quiche in no time!
Yes we are having a great time. Love to you all at home.
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angelique
non-member comment
Bonjour!!
How lovely to see you all looking great! I am glad you had a nice time woofing! It looks sunny in spain, I hope you are enjoying your holidays now after all this hard work! The kids seem to have a great time running in the nature feeding animals. You are going to have to invest in a farm in England... if you do come back... Lots of love angelique Ps how is the French going??