This trip was always going to be charged with emotion, but it was a journey we needed to take, a mini adventure to France with my dad to see my sister and her family.
With the van packed, we set off Friday afternoon for Folkestone, an effortless channel crossing and light traffic on the other side allowed us to make good progress, easily reaching Évreux for an overnight stay in a motel.
Travelling with Dad was wonderful. The road trip allowed him to relive previous journeys and proved his route memory through Northern France is still sharp, although I did add some confusion with a different route south from Châteauroux, opting to enjoy the glorious D-Roads into Jane and Rob's.
We arrived mid-afternoon and enjoyed a lovely weekend together. Once everyone was settled, Deb and I carved out a few days to gently unplug, driving over to the Atlantic coast to explore the quiet, sun-bleached charm of Île de Ré. While there, we also had the wonderful chance to catch up with old friends, Steve and Sue, enjoying a brilliant couple of days together.
Stepping away also served a deeper purpose, it gave us a moment to breathe, while crucially leaving Dad and my sister to share some uninterrupted, quality time together. Returning to pick him up for the journey home, we are left with a mix of beautiful travel memories and the quiet hope that this meaningful trip brought everyone the comfort they needed, and, most importantly, broke the travel ice for Dad.
The getaway, waiting at an almost empty Folkestone terminal waiting to board.
Sous la Manche!
Light refreshment!
Night Sky!
Overnight en-route south to my Sister's place.
Afternoon refreshment
Tidy 2CV
Local signage
Local views
local views
strolling and chatting
local lake
more signage
happy family times
Jane's garden is a tranquil space
nice snap from my niece! Thank you x
Leaving for the Atlantic Coast, we stopped at Orador sue Glane, not the first time I've visited, but the first time I took a walk about and contemplated the horrors.
Orador sur Glane
inside the church
much needed refreshment!
Pitched up on the municipal site at Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Bonjour!
Saint Martin de Re
The market at Saint Martin de Re
The market at Saint Martin de Re
The market at Saint Martin de Re
The market at Saint Martin de Re
The market at Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
It seems if you drive something rare and unusual, you can park anywhere you like! Lovely little Isetta (the car the saved BMW from bankruptcy in the 50's)
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
The sun's finally arrived!
Chillin'
Strolling to LA Flotte
passing Oyster farms
Oyster's direct!
Oyster farmers going to work
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
La Flotte
Very tidy Bay Highlight at La Flotte
Tide's out exposing the Oyster beds
Who could guess popping a utilitarian plastic body on a 2CV would create a such a cool beach car!
Art work, not sure the reason, or if this has rendered the pitch unusable!
Back in Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Part of French culture!
Moon, plus Jupiter and Venus
Thursday and the sun was fully with us, so we hired a couple of bikes to explore the island on the extensive network of cycle paths
riding through the vineyards
An Fiat 500 in front of the church in l'Ars en Re
Cafe de Commerce in l'Ars-en-Re
inside Cafe de Commerce
Lovely looking classic boat!
l'Ars-en-Re
l'Ars-en-Re
l'Ars-en-Re
l'Ars-en-Re
l'Ars-en-Re
l'Ars-en-Re
Les Huitres De Trousse Chemise near La Patache and only accessible on foot or by bicycle!
Les Huitres De Trousse Chemise
Les Huitres De Trousse Chemise
Les Huitres De Trousse Chemise
Les Huitres De Trousse Chemise
Now making our back though the Salt Beds
Now making our back though the Salt Beds
Now making our back though the Salt Beds
Now making our back though the Salt Beds
Now making our back though the Salt Beds
Now making our back though the Salt Beds
Now making our back though the Salt Beds
Parking up by Phare des Baleines
Phare (lighthouse) des Baleines
The new light house.
The older limestone liight house
And looking out to the light house marking the channel.
Lovely Bettle (ID1 in modern VW speak)
La Couarde-sur-Mer
La Couarde-sur-Mer
La Couarde-sur-Mer
La Couarde-sur-Mer
Making our way back to Saint Martin de Re - great day exploring and seeing interesting places otherwise hidden!
Back in Saint Martin de Re for our last evening!
Cocktails from a T1 Split Screen bus!
Nice bar for cocktails!
The port at Saint Martin de Re
What a spot to chill with a good book!
Sunsetting
Our last meal on the island, we choose this little bistro, Les Embruns, and wow what a meal! One of the best we've enjoyed for quite a while!
Appero time!
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Saint Martin de Re
Up early for the sunrise, almost have the place to myself!
Nothing too spectacular, but worth it all the same!
Sunrise
The port is slowly waking up! There's a few people now!
Saint Martin de Re is a fortified town, and scale of the defences are just huge and multiple layers!
Standing on the edge of one the battlement walls.
Looking back towards the inner wall!
Time for a swim before we leave the island!
And a spot of lunch before we start to head inland.
Pitched up in an Aire de Campingcar in Cognac for the night! Jeez this was hot, a walled courtyard, fully tarmaced meant nearly 40º's - phew!
Short stroll into town along the river.
Cognac
Cognac
Cognac
Cognac
another stunning 2CV!
Riverside restaurant seemed the best place to be in the heat!
Nice little bar with character!
Back into Cognac in the morning!
and a visit to Martell's visitor centre for a little treat or two!
amusing mural!
down by the river!
Back at my sisters! A few snaps of her 'relaxation garden'
and her 'chill' space!
A couple of the hounds!
