Gardening in the Pyrenees

[briwy]

Just got the Newhaven ferry on our way down to the Pyrenees again. He holdup on the M25 and thought we would miss it.
Lot of gardening and tidying up to do at our little house before the winter sets in.
Staying in the Aire on the beach in Dieppe tonight and then probably have a day in Bordeaux on the way down. Keep rushing past but never stopped for a look round.
Few days in the mountains and then up to Magny Cours for the World Superbikes.

 

[Hotel California]

We will be in Beaumes de Venise the whole week , still a few 100km parting us ...
Been to Bordeaux seveal times as the wifes brother lived close to there before he moved ...
Nice to walk arround or take the tram siteseeing.
Think some shops will be open on sunday , also a small antiques market
Enjoy ...the gardening....

 

[briwy]

A few pictures from our "gardening" trip.

Newhaven harbour. The boat backs out of the river and then turns round


Overnight in the Dieppe aire and spotted this in the harbour.
The replica Nao Victoria, one of five ships under the command of Magellan which left Seville in 1519. Only the Victoria made it back home after five years and being the first ever circumnavigation of the world.


Night in an aire in Marcenais. Arrived just as the village fete was closing. Gave us free beer that they had left. Very entente cordiale

The church dating back to Roman times


Bordeaux. What a fabulous city.
This was anchored up on the waterfront. It's called the A Hamilton, owned by a Russian and built by Blohm & Voss famous for building U boats and the Bismarck.


The granite reflecting slab


Parking right next to the waterfront.


Beautiful buildings. Vast wealth from wine and slave trade










Pyrenees and view from the house.


One of our favourite walks in the mountians

 

[briwy]

A wander into the town before setting off again.




These boiled sweets called Berlingots are a speciality of the town.. The spa water is rather sulphurous so they sell flavoured boiled sweets to freshen the breath.



Up to Magny Cours for World Superbikes






Brits 1, 2 and three


Across the Loire from Nevers campsite

 

[Hotel California]

Great stuff , i recognise some of the views at Bordeaux .
How was the Nevers campsite?

 

[Herrie]

This town in the Pyrenees is Cauterets, isn't it? Beautiful. We did the Marcadau-Wallon hike there a few years ago. Reminds me to do it again.

 

[larrylamb]

Great photos Brian, need to put some more places to visit on my list.

 

[briwy]

Nevers campsite is fine Wim. Big pitches with hook ups about 18euros/night. 15 minutes to the track. Easy walk into town. Best restaurant, Le Florentine, pizzas to die for.

Herrie. Yes it is Cauterets.

 

[Tim Hook]

[QUOTE="Yes it is Cauterets.[/QUOTE]

I just returned from a hike in the region, starting & ending in Cauterets, via refuges + Wallon, Oulettes & Estom.
Loved the area. Ryanair flights rather than VW, this time.
I was curious to see what looked like a council provided parking spot for campervans just outside town, the only facilities were electric hoop-ups and a waste water dump. Do you know, are these style of parking plots available across other areas of France?

 

[briwy]

Hi Tim.
Great walk, the picture above of her indoors by the lake is taken by the Estom refuge.

The answer is yes, this is an aire, one of two in Cauterets. Most towns and villages have something similar.
The one you mention is a posh one in that it has hook ups. Charge there is 10 euros a night but most aires don't have any facilities and are generally free.
The best guide to these is a book available here in the UK called "All the Aires, France" from Vicarious books.
https://www.vicarious-shop.com/All-the-Aires-France-north-and-south-together.html
We use them a lot when over there. Some are brilliant, some a bit grotty but there is usually one to be found close to where you are .

 

[Tim Hook]

Much appreciated for the link and tip.