The weather was misty and raining as we arrived in London. The car's sat nav was taking us to the centre of London so we had to exit to M23 which encircles London and finally arrived that evening at Jury's Doyle in Croydon.
The next day Sunday, we had a
luncheon appointment at the Wolesley with second son and his girlfriend. It was a very enjoyable meal - the venue to be recommended.
On Monday we set off for the Chunnel. It is a fantastic service - 35 minutes and one arrives in Calais. We drove to Beaumont sur Sartre and stayed the night at Logis Barque in the centre of the small village, where we met two bikers from the UK - homeward bound.
Tuesday, as we have only one driver, as a consequence of my having fallen and broken my humerous the week before, we decided that we would not make the Spanish border!
We decided to stay in Cognac. We booked into the Ibis - plenty of free parking across the road. I thought that the town of Cognac would be very touristy. On our Rhone valley trip last Easter, we visited among other wineries Chateau Neuf du Pape, which exuded tourist hype! However, Cognac displayed no such traits. It was a lovely French town. We ate at La Maison - a restaurant I would highly recommend - chosen on the recommendation of a friend I'd trust with culinary recommendations. It's situated just off the main square. It deserves a Michelin star. Two amuse bouche , followed by a very generous portion of fois gras for CC and an avocado and grapefruit for me - both delicious. The main course was lamb for CC and salmon poached in a vegetable broth for moi Deliciouse!! The meal was completed by two cafe gourmand. We had a bottle of Cote de Blaye to drink - all for €92 !! Meal €27 pp - Guilbaud or Chapter 1 standard !
Next day, Wednesday, we took a tour of the Martel brandy house, founded in 1713 - sold to Seagrams in 2001and later to Pinot Ricard. It was a excellent tour (we heard many are gimmicky) Camus is the only family owned house remaining in Cognac but we hadn't time to seek it out.
After lunch, we departed for St Jean de Luz, where tomorrow we are to take a train La Rhune into the Pyrenees. It is a private venture - the station c. 4km from St Jean de Luz. St Jean de Luz is a seaside resort - the volume of traffic was enormous. To find a hotel with parking might be a problem. Checking the Internet,we chose Goeland - a 3 star in the town. Unbelievably, they had a room and ample parking minutes from the beach, down a rather spectacular stairway.
We ate again at a different La Maison. We were lucky as s number of attempts elicited a response that we would have to wait 1/2 hour and we didn't fancy that.! Sardines for CC - large and flavoursome and for me Moules a la Creme - delicious. We retreated back to the hotel via the staircase.
Today Thursday, we departed St Jean de Luz, having enjoyed a typical French breakfast. We were heading for La Rhune, where a private railway whisks one (maybe whisk is too strong a word) at 9 km per hour to the first summit of the Pyrenees! The journey takes 35 minutes each way.
As we approached La Rhune, there were cars parked up to 2 km from the railway station. We had been advised that parking was a problem but not this! We continued on and entered the car park - not a hope a of a space and the ticket queue numbered over 100!!!
We continued past the town and the cars continuously parked on the other side of the town as they were on our approach! I was wondering whether we would ever get a seat as, though the train departed every 40 minutes, it is August, when the French holiday!
We turned and drove back towards the town. We decided to check the car park again and luckily, there were a number of spaces now available - in our absence, a train must have returned. We parked and CC went to purchase the tickets. It took 40 minutes. The queue was horrendous.! Finally we got tickets for the 1450 hrs train!
So here I am in a cafe whiling 2 1/2 hours away until our departure! I hadn't intended to do a blog but as I have been sitting about since we parked at noon, I thought I'd record my thoughts!
I boarded the train, carefully guarding my injured arm from the maddening crowd!! The scenery was spectacular as the train slowly climbed the 905 metres to the summit.
On arrival, we were in Spain, in the Basque Country with a wonderful panorama looking down on the coast at St Jean de Luz
and on the other side into the Pyrenees. It was spectacular and the weather was warm but with a nice cooling breeze.
I'm here sitting on the steps that lead down to the return train - it's touch and go whether we'll make this one or have to wait for the next!!!
On the trip down, the train behind gives an idea of the circuitous route the train must take.
On the way we met another train plying it's way to the summit. Even at this late hour the train was full.
Along the route I saw the famous, wild pony that inhabits region.
We had boarded the 1650 and arrived back st base at 1730.
On our return, we set the sat nav for San Sebastián - a mere 47 km away. We arrived st the hotel and on the advice of our very helpful receptionist took a bus downtown to the old district, to Calle 31 de Agosto
where the best of the tapa bars are located.
We selected La Cepa.
We dined on the best tapas I've ever eaten
together with Protos Crianza - my favourite Spanish wine. The atmosphere was fantastic but the crowd was thinning as we departed at 2200, they dine early here in the north unlike their southern cousins!!
No comments:
Post a Comment