We started our French trip from Portsmouth on the 15.00 ferry to Caen. We left home around 10.00 so that it would be a stress free journey. As it happened, it was a good run down and we were at the terminal by 12.30 and on board by 14.30. We were very happy not to be pulled over by Maritime Security so our check-in was quick and efficient. The ferry was a relative new ship, Guillaume de Normandie, so despite the rough seas and strong winds, it was a relatively good crossing with just a couple of hours of strong motion – evidenced by the heaving in the women’s toilets!

We docked at 22.00 and our stop for the night was only 15 mins away but it took us 45 mins to get through passport control (the joys of Brexit). We had reserved a spot at an aire in Hermansville-sur-Mer through Camping Car Park, who have seemed to have taken over a lot of municipal aires in France. It does take the stress out of finding somewhere to stop as you know how many spaces are left and you can book in advance. This was our first time of using them and it took us three attempts to get through the barrier as it’s done on the phone now rather than with a card. Thankfully, the code we had eventually worked and we parked up, had a beer and went to bed!

The next morning came round far too quickly with the nearby church deciding to ring its bells at 07.00 and then every 15 mins afterwards. By 08.00 we had given up on sleep and got up. After breakfast we left the site by 09.30 to make our way to Sword Beach a few minutes away. There are various statues there for those involved on D-Day 1944 including one of the piper, Bill, who accompanied Lord Lovat, chief of the Fraser Clan, onto the beaches that day.

The surrounding area saw a lot of fighting on June 6 1944 including the taking of the Pegasus Bridge in nearby Ranville. They have an excellent museum there which we popped into.

We then drove to Villers Brocage to meet up with friends, Phil and Gerard, who were on their way back to Caen. We met up at a micro pub and restaurant called Bouchon and Houblon for an excellent meal and catch up.

We then had a long drive of 300km down to the Loire Valley for our night stop at the Fourrier and family vineyard at Distrè, just outside Saumur. As we need to get there before 19.00, we made the decision to go via the tolled roads. Definitely quicker but €53 lighter! We won’t be making go that mistake again. However, we arrived at the vineyard just before 18.00 and parked up amongst the vines. The owners are associated with France Passion which allows its members to stay in lovely rural locations such as vineyards or farms. They even gave us a bottle of their white wine to have with our meal. We will be tasting their award winning Cremant tomorrow!

Miles this trip: 320