Well We Have Arrived!

[Caran]

Made it in good time to Folkestone, got an earlier train than the one we had booked. Got to Calais in one piece. Saw no immigrants at all. Staying in a hotel in Calais.
But first we did a divert to Adinkerke in Belgium so OH could get his baccy. It's less than half price than at home. There is a whole town made up of tobacco shops, nothing else but hundreds of them. All charge the same price but some give better freebies than others. We got a box of assorted chocolate covered nuts and a handful of cigarette lighters.
First clanger, we forgot to bring the adapter plugs. So had to make a quick dash to Auchan (hypermarket) it is bigger than anything we have back home I'm sure.
Going shopping there for food and drink supplies in the morning. Then about a five hour drive to the gite we are renting.

[Bathsheba]

Good to see you arrived safely :)

x x

[Caran]

Thanks Bathsheba.

[Buenchico]

If you need somewhere to eat in Calais tomorrow, I recommend the station buffet. Good food, at reasonable prices, in pleasant surroundings:
http://www.buffet-gare-calais.com/

[Caran]

Thanks for that Chris. Tonight we ate in a Chinese Buffet near to Auchan, we have been there a few times and really enjoy the variety of food on offer.
We will not be eating in Calais tomorrow as we are heading for our holiday destination in the Loire Valley.

[Buenchico]

If I was driving from Calais to the Loire valley I know exactly where I'd break my journey:
http://www.rouentourisme.com/?tabid=2508&language=en-US
It's about 2½ hours from Calais and on the way to most towns in the valley (unless, of course, you're mad enough to drive via Paris!)

[ummmm]

Caran...do you mind me asking you how much a gite is to rent..approx.

[Buenchico]

This might help, Ummm:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentals-g187196-Reviews-Loire_Valley_Centre-Vacation_Rentals.html

[ummmm]

Thanks Chris. I'll have to do some research...

[gness]

Glad all went well, Caran.....and I envy you the gite holiday.....we went every year and had wonderful times....xx

[Caran]

Ummmm we are paying €250 for a week and they provide everything. Towels, bedding, hairdryers the lot. We even have a pool.

[ummmm]

That's a brilliant price.

[Buenchico]

Don't believe it, Ummmm!

Caran is simply trying to keep it a secret that she's really staying here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g187130-d4866955-Chateaufort-Tours_Loire_Valley_Centre.html

;-)

[Caran]

How did you know Chris!!

[Buenchico]

I usually know who's renting one of my properties, Caran ;-)

[ummmm]

That's not too bad a price if you manage to fill it with 18 people.

[douglas9401]

"Then about a five hour drive to the gite we are renting."

We have roughly the same wait until anotheoldgite comes back. :-)

[Caran]

What are you insinuating?

[Jackdaw33]

Talking of freebies reminds me of when I took a school party to France some 20 years ago. I had forgotten to stock up on cheap cigs but thought nothing of it as we were due to pay a visit to Auchan in Cherbourg on the way home. To my horror they did not sell tobacco. On the way to the ferry I told the kids that the first one to shout 'carrot' (the red cigar which is displayed outside all tobacconists) would get a treat. Just as we were approaching the quay a voice shouted 'carrot'. I stopped the bus and went into this tiny little café were I bought 4 cartons. The guy who served me also flung in an ash tray and 6 lighters. He probably got them free from the reps. Another thing I noticed was that if I took a group of children into a shop they would give me a little treat, either a can of pop or a few sweets. Doesn't seem to happen here.

[Ann]

Glad you arrived in France safely Caran with no incidents at the port. Have a safe journey in the morning and a lovely holiday x

[Caran]

Thanks for that jackdaw. I've just realised we are I hour ahead. It's now nearly 2.00 and we have breakfast between 8-10 so I think I must be going, thanks to all who have posted. I will be in touch later.