Well, this was it – the last stay in France before we headed for home. We camped up at Camping Le Foret where we could choose our pitch. It’s a lovely site and an easy walk into the village but what fun we had getting there! (Not)

We left Giverny and stopped off at LeClerc in Rouen to stock up and then head up to Jumierge. I was driving while my navigator with the aid of Google maps, Garmin and paper maps directed me. Queue a domestic! Which road are we taking dear? It seems an awfully long way dear? Oh, I’m being told to take the road to the ferry across the Seine. Ooops, no we can’t go on the ferry, we’re too big. Sorry, how far is the detour to get to the bridge???

We finally arrived in Jumierge, barely speaking to each other, apart from the odd snarl here and there. Harmony was restored when we pitched up and settled down with a glass of the local cider which was sold in the campsite shop. Excellent for soothing frazzled nerves. By this time it was a little late to go out, so we settle in to cook our meal and enjoy yet more cider and wine. By the end of the evening Tim had been forgiven!

We strolled into Jumierge next morning to visit the abbey and spent a very pleasant few hours wandering round. We were delighted to find in the grounds a retreat cabin which had been purpose built for writers to get away from it all and focus on their writing. I loved that idea. I know I can easily get distracted from my writing but I’ll just have to settle for a “do not disturb” sign on my office door!

Next day we opted to take a long walk through the countryside to explore. 6 miles later we found the ferry at the bottom of the village, which, if only they would have let us on, would have saved a long detour.

This was our last full day and Tim celebrated by cooking our meal while I looked after getting as much washing done as I could. The great thing with French campsites is the industrial size washing machines and we came home with very little washing to do.

Next morning we headed off to Calais and found a tiny pebble beach where we could park up and have lunch before going to the ferry terminal. A bracing walk on the beach to admire the white cliffs and then it was off to the ferry and home. We got back to the UK late evening and headed into Seaford where we parked on the front for the night. No aires in the UK! Finally, after visiting my sister, we headed home where I spent the next week wishing I was back in France! Ah well, next Spring.