Food glorius food

After a very nice and relaxing week at Poupehan, we headed into France. The
Poupehan site was virtually empty by the time we left, well up until our
last afternoon. On the Friday there was a steady influx of Dutch caravans
and campers. It appeared that most knew each other and it turned out to be
an office weekend away in the countryside. Needless to say it got quite
noisy on Friday afternoon, not the quietest of people the Dutch, and we were
happy to be on our way again.
Our first destination in France was not too far over the border at the town
of Buzancy in the Ardennes. A very sleepy little town, as most little French
towns are, set in lovely rolling French countryside. The site was a pleasant
surprise having been fairly recently updated. It made a grand location for
sitting in the hot sunshine and enjoying the chatter of the TMS team on
Radio 4 for the final ODI against Pakistan. We have had a fair bit of hot
sunshine for just over a week now, I think that summer has returned in full
force, but looking at forecasts it may not be with us for too long.
We are now slowly making our way towards Paris and stopped off last night in
Epernay, one of the Champagne towns, just south of Reims. By the time we had
checked in at the site, the local municipal, it was getting on in the
afternoon. We walked the short distance into town to have a look around and
also see if we could get a tour of one of the champagne houses. After first
checking with the tourist information office we made a brisk walk to the
Champagne de Castellane, it was the only one still doing tours that day. We
made it just in time to join a very interesting tour of the works, from
fermentation, through the cellars, all the way to bottling and packing. It
was very informative and well presented by a nice young French lady who
spoke very good English, although she had to confirm a few words every now
and again. The free sample at the end of the tour was most refreshing and it
was no surprise that we made a purchase, just the one bottle to keep for a
special occasion. It is most fortunate that it happens to be Sue's birthday
today!
After the present opening ceremony this morning, didn't take long I'm
afraid, we set off again further west and are now not that far from Paris at
the town of Varreddes near Meaux. I think the lady at the site reception,
who spoke no English, made a nice little cash in pocket. She did not want
passports and was not too forth coming with a receipt, no questions asked.
Only one night here so no fortnight in Barbados for her on what she pocketed
from us!
Tomorrow we will hit the site we are aiming for north west of the capital
and probably stay there for 3 days giving us enough time to see plenty of
the city's sights. I think we can get a multiple day travel card for the
transport side, and you can also get a 'museum' ticket that gives you entry
to several museums for a reduced rate. We just have to decide what we want
to see and make a plan.
It has to be said that our diet, which has generally been very healthy, has
taken a dip with Germany and now France. So many tasty sausages, pates, and
cakes to be consumed. Not too mention the great fresh bread with jam or
cheese. I think we will have to do many a mile around the Paris streets to
fight the war of the waistline!
Cheers
M&S