Sunday 29 August - Saturday 4 September
Sunday was Christine's first real day in Neffiès, so after a late breakfast Delia and Christine went to the boulangerie and had a quick look at the village. Then later we all had a bit more of a mooch around. We had lunch in the courtyard and then went on an outing in the car. First we went over the hills to Villeneuvette and had a quick look, then to Mourèze for a look at the stones. Christine had a bit of a poorly knee so we couldn't do any difficult walking. There was the usual open air art exhibition at the Cirque, but we only looked at the first few exhibits as they didn't impress and the terrain was a bit difficult. We stopped at a café near where we park for an ice cream, one that's only there in the season, on the lake side of the road.
Then we went to Celles, next to Lac du Salagou, and had another little walk, then came back home via the motorway.
Monday was the day for going in the general direction of the sea with Christine. We set out with a packed lunch for the Canal du Midi, parking near its Béziers direction junction with the Hérault. We walked along the river, then had a look at the Bassin Rond d'Agde and walked a little way further up the canal before coming back to the junction to eat our packed lunch.
Then we went to Marseillan and went on the trip around Noilly Prat, this time in English as it happened. We bought some Noilly Prat this time. Then it was off to Sète just to go to see the view from Mont St-Clair. On the way and on the way back we could see that there were some serious fires around, the smoke from one of which actually cast a strange brown shadow. That one had also closed the A9 autoroute so it took an extra half hour to get home. We had tomato salad, then salmon followed by raspberry tart for dinner.
We did think we might go to the beach on Tuesday, Christine's last full day, but decided against it. So we stayed in during the morning and went for a walk after lunch. We went along the Caylus road, round the hill to the water mill, then back up the Fontès road because it was a bit too hot for walking. Then we went to Vailhan reservoir and sat by the water and read. In the evening we went to Les Goutailles for dinner, outside at Place Jean Jaurès, the last time they would be using that space this year.
We went for a nice walk before breakfast with Christine on the Wednesday, along Chemin des Guessières, down the road that goes to Les Montels, then along the little Vailhan road back. Then Delia and Christine had a late breakfast (Roger had had his earlier). We took a packed lunch to the airport with us and left Christine there. Delia and I then went and sat on the beach at Portiragnes to eat our lunch. It wasn't all that hot but pleasant enough. Then, because we were due to go to Ireland next day we tried to pack; Delia succeeded but Roger didn't!
Next day we got up early (clock set at 7 am) to finish packing and shut up the house so we could get to Rodez for the 14:05 flight to Dublin. We left at around 9:45 and arrived at Rodez just before noon, so the route planning journey time of 2 hours 10 minutes was correct. We parked in the long stay car park, which was slightly cheaper for more than 5 days, although the same as the short stay one for a shorter period. Everything went smoothly and we arrived on time at Dublin. The hire car arrangements were not quite so smooth. Despite ordering a car to be returned with a full tank of fuel, what we got, despite arguing with them, was one to be returned with an empty tank, at a cost of nearly 60€. The journey from Dublin to Barna was OK, but we were surprised to find no service areas at all on the motorways, just a very few lay-bys. Plus the car was very noisy and difficult to get enough air as it was a warm day, but we knew in advance that this might be the case as we had chosen a cheap option. It was good to see Paul, Aileen and Lucy again and to have a nice dinner.
We were on "grandparent duty", waiting for the new baby to arrive and then looking after Lucy when it did. So we began our wait; Aileen had been for a check-up earlier in the day and it was agreed that if the baby had not arrived before Monday, they were to go to the hospital on Monday for the birth to be induced. So we set about waiting and hoping that this would not be necessary.
Friday was a lovely sunny day, although with a little wind. We took a packed lunch to a beach, the other side of Spiddal, called Tra Sailin. We all, but especially Lucy, had a nice time on this lovely beach.
Then it was back for Lucy to have an afternoon nap. For dinner we went out to O' Grady's on the harbour. Very good, as before. The wine that Paul chose (Chardonnay) just happened to be called Montarels and was from Alignan du Vent, our local cave cooperative!
On Saturday we went to Barna woods for a walk in the late morning and enjoyed watching various young people playing team sports, especially Camogie, a slightly toned down version of hurling played by girls. It was another nice day and we had lunch in the garden. Lucy, Paul and Aileen all had an afternoon nap and we had risotto for dinner in the garden.
Afterwards we watched pictures of the Smith-Fyfes' trip to Northern Ireland and Scotland.
No comments:
Post a Comment