Tuesday 15 May 2012

Well we have criss-crossed Bordeaux as we waited for our van to be repaired.  Saturday we headed to Saint Emilion, a medieval village in the heart of Bordeaux wine growing area. (Our new favourite place in France).  It is a world heritage site. We stayed in a ‘Yelloh’ camp in a 2 bedroom chalet.  Well equipped with a heated pool which Michelle and I paddled in (no togs – dam!) and a reasonable cost.  We spent the weekend happily exploring the village’s cobbled streets, sampling a variety of macaroons, and sightseeing in our rented car all around the jurisdiction (local area) of Saint Emillion.  We also did a tour of the underground church and the catacombs, climbed the Monolitic church bell towers 196 steps for a panoramic view of the local area, purchased goodies at a local market and did a wine tour of Chateaux Cardinal Villemarine cellars carved out of solid rock – complete with a wine tasting.  Of course we purchased and consumed local wine.

Monday we returned to Bordeaux city retrieved our bikes and spent the day cycling around the city.  As the van was still not ready we launched plan B and headed in the opposite direction out to the coast and another ‘yelloh’ camp this time near Arcachon.  Our highlight today was visiting the ‘Grand Dune du Pyla’ the highest sand dune in Europe.  We took silly videos of us running very slowly (we are all old people who are afraid of injuries) down the dune.  The view from the top was spectacular but it was very windy.

Great news – our van has been repaired and we will pick it up tomorrow and head down to Spain on Thursday.