Day in Nantes
We had decided to go into Nantes, have a look around and maybe some therapeutic shopping.
Not very far from site at all again easily navigated.
I had selected the central part of Nantes with the aid of Google Earth
(That’s a fantastic piece of software if you study how to use it)
We drove in and there was a large car park near to where I thought we might go.
On getting out I had a brief look around and decided with the icy cold cutting wind it was not the correct area so we got back in the car and carried on with Sat Nav instructions.
Yes right into the middle of town, up and down narrow roads careful navigating regarding right hand driving was to be considered. The worst part approaching a roundabout with drivers coming from the left, but Sandra’s screaming kept me on my toes.
There was like any major city nowhere to park absolutely full. We continued driving around getting a feel for the place and generally agreed it was not worth stopping.
I don’t think I hit the real shopping area but Sandra was not that worried
I pulled over to discuss with my Sat Nav and we made a great decision of going to Carrefour.
The priced were not too dissimilar to UK prices, except that the diesel was €1.04 liter.
Topped up and ready to go, we returned to the caravan.
Tonight I had access to the Internet, it was very infrequent and slow, in fact it was crap, I had time to get up to date with my Blog
Woke up to crisp sunny day the grass was white with frost.
Took Marley on a morning walk, got back and started the car to defrost and warm up.
The young English-speaking girl was not around at the moment, so I had to revert to an APP that I had previously downloaded. It is called “SAY HI” available for Apple and Android based products
The elderly lady who did not seem to be very computer literate quickly picked up the system, and so we conversed.
I retrieved my €20 that I had placed as a deposit for my car entry card at the gate.
There were several others in the Office/shop; they were amazed at the software and our ability to converse
This App has the ability to converse in about 40 Languages, I used my I PAD, the screen is divided into two halves, one half can be reversed so the you and your conversationalist can respond to each other.
To start, you speak to the IPAD (you would already have decided what language to select).
Then responds in the language you wish to understand.
The other person can hear and also read what has been said,
He would then respond in his own language.
It is also possible to type in questions or information you required.
All ready for the off, Sandra checked my lights as normal.
The response was negative.
You remember when we arrived onsite in the dark, I was highly stressed and there was a noise as I drove forward.
This was the noise and problem.
All the pins had disappeared into the housing and a cable had been broken.
I had wanted to get away early so that I could arrive on the next site in the daylight in case of any problems locating the site again.I went into the office to seek information on where the nearest Caravanning/ spares shop was.
Bad news, caravanning is not very popular and there is not one around.
Great next move, try to use the current plug.
The site engineer was very helpful he can across and took the plug apart sorted the wiring and reinserted it without the housing that was destroyed on dismantling.
On testing all lights were working, all taped up and suggestions to be very careful when taking apart again we were on our way, He was happy with a €20 note in his pocket, I was happily on my way, relying upon my Sat Nav that I had checked and checked again.
This time with the use of Google Earth.
Negotiated all local road network, onto the motorway.
Sat Nav spoke, bare right in 74 miles.
Time to relax and reflect.
What will be the next hurdle I wondered
Onwards and onwards the miles were eaten up.
I decided to stop at one of these “Aerie’s” I had heard so much about where you can stop if you so wish.
Marley and I relieved ourselves a quick walk around this area provided for all who required a rest on these long journeys’ it was pleasant open with toilets and wash basins.
Back into the car and away again, mile after mile.
We followed Sat Nav off the A10 and onto the outskirts of a small town.
On our left there appeared a Motor Home sales area. Retrieving our steps I went in.
Made some enquires only to find I was in the Manufacturing side of this huge Motor Home manufacturing plant.
I ventured into the work shop unheeded, there were Motor Homes In all sorts of readiness. With chassis all over the place.
They obviously had a full order list.
Moving on I found the sales office, they were on their lunch hour.
In the mean time I browsed the limited stock of Spares they had.
I found a 13 pin socket and spoke to the sales person /manager who confirmed that the UK 13 pin was of a different specification that the French one and very doubtful in I could get one anywhere in France or Spain.
Thinking I will definitely require a new Plug, I text the guy who had fitted this one to my car and asked if he could post one to me and I would collect it at Marjal, The camp site I was heading for in a couple of days .
He came back shortly and stated, it was in the post.
Great, I then had a text from my son to state that an old fried of mine had finally passed away.
He had a long and lingering illness.
I texted his wife paid my respects and apologized that I would not be at his funeral and we would be in contact when we retuned.
Onwards with our Journey throwing up concerns about the Sat Nav and were heading in the right direction.
Several non logical turns on the roads when signs appeared re establishing my confidence .
Back onto the main road heading south again.
(What I did not realize at the time, the Sat Nav had taken us off of the main A10 and took a detour through or near a town, this had reduced our mileage quite considerably and took us back onto it at a later stage instead of following it in a large sweeping bend unnecessarily)
As we neared Bordeaux the traffic became denser and there were lots of “White Man Vans” zooming by upsetting my Caravan.
The traffic now was rush hour 5 o’clock on a Friday Night, traffic every where, not a wrong step to be made or else we were in proverbial Mire.
Bear to right, take the first turning left, 2 miles bear to the right and so on roads were jam packed, but it had slowed due to the volume.
Gradually as we left the central area the traffic concentration eased.
Taking a long sweeping bend the Sat Nav suggested we were approaching destination.
Bang we were there spot on, to the yard, into the site checked in set up.
Sat down to a well-deserved cup of tea.
Icy night last night down to -3 ish.
But the sun came up temperatures improved, we had decided to go into Bordeaux via public transport, we are a long way out of town, there was the buss terminus just down the road.
Getting a map from the site manager Me Sandra and the dog were marching on another day of adventure not knowing what was ahead of us, in a foreign country with no knowledge of the language only Mercie, Bonshure or something like that.
€3.5 each into central area we on the bus for 45 minutes it was a long way and cheap. Good transport system.
We got off in the central area and had to get a tram on line ‘C’ from the busy terminal.
After consulting with several lots of French people we determined we had to get cash to feed the machine to get tickets (€4.80 for a day ticket anywhere, great value, got us home as well as into the shopping area)
An enterprising man reasonably dressed was standing by the machine waiting for those in difficulty (like ourselves)to lend a hand and help us on our way, very good until he held out his hand, a couple of low value coins €1.5 we were both happy.
It is in situations like this that you have to be aware of pickpockets etc who are up to all sorts of tricks but not in this case,
Sandra had her wit’s about her.
Long tall buildings formed the shopping area that went on for ages, not any constructed Mall’s like in the UK, utilizing existing buildings.
I was taking notes of where we were so that we could retrace our steps.
Anyway being confident I could get back to where we started, “I got lost”.
Don’t know how, all the buildings were in block formation.
Walking miles trying to retrace our steps.
As normal I decide to go down the Rue de La something and it was not comfortable with the type of characters that were abound, some worst for the Alcohol, others homeless and begging and not wholesome .
Sandra moaning at me , stating I all ways do this , I away go too far.
We eventually emerged into an area where I thought I might be able speak with someone without getting “Mugged”.
Took thee of advice a young girl with a smattering of English, got on a tram on route “B” to meet up with route “C” but got off again couple of stops later not thinking the advice was logical.
Asked someone else and seems good advice remembering all the time there was great difficulty in communication, but at no time irritability.This time it seemed ok , Sandra enquired of a passenger this stop to get off he suggested the one after, he spoke good English.Sure enough off the tram across the road and on to another heading in our recognized way home.
At the terminal, off the tram again, across the road and onto our final bus journey in Bordeaux.
Marley shaking from cold and being wet, was very happy.
The transport system was very good, a bus system getting passengers from the outer districts into town, onto the tram system to transport them around the inner area, very efficient and regular.
Back home surprise , surprise the sun came out after surviving the rainy day in town.
When I booked these sites they advertised Wi Fi available, great I thought I can keep in touch with all that I wanted.
I must admit being an avid user at home I do get Internet withdrawal symptoms when not available.
This is the second site I have been on advertising WiFi, and again it is so limited to be practically useless.
I thought the sites are supplied with a certain Bandwidth and lack of access was due to the number of users reducing the availability and time Lag.
Not so I have tried late at night and early in the morning, when in theory users were at a minimum
It was so bad it gave me the impression WiFi is switched off.
I do not understand it and if there is any reader who has greater knowledge and understanding I would really like to Know.
As you all know I an a Newbie at this Blogging. I would like to make it more attractive add photo’s etc and not so boring to read.
There may come a time when I educate myself to change the layout so beware
Onto Bayonne Tomorrow
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