Not an enjoyable day today really. We got in the van at 8.30am and got out at 4pm (we did have one quick wee stop and lunch at a services) took us 3 hrs to cover the first 70 miles up to the Somport Tunnel, through the tunnel and down the other side of the Pyrenees, before reaching a straight bit of road. Then it was all motorway. Paul did the first 80 miles and I did the rest, including the Bordeaux ring road which goes on forever. Despite concentrating really hard on my driving and keeping within the white lines (Paul’s pet hate when I wander), when we were going around the Bordeaux ring road, which was chockered, and he asked me to help him with google maps, my concentration did lapse and – horror of horrors – I veered onto the white lines. He pointed out that the lorry next to us had far wider wheels than us but he managed to keep away from the white lines….. bit like a red rag to a bull that is, the rest of the journey I drove with one set of wheels in the gutter 🤣
We managed to get lost in the final 20 miles but Paul got us back on track.
Finally we arrived at our overnight stop, an aire at Lignieres-Sonneville. And what an amazing place this is. A small but perfectly formed French village, very old, with a chateaux which seems to be used by the village : Town hall for the mayor, it has squash courts, an art space, and tennis courts. The village has an old church, a hairdressers, a charcuterie, a boulangerie and a bar/restaurant/ shop. All you would need.
The aire is in the tree lined gravel car park next to the outbuildings of the chateaux which house the squash courts etc. We have a (clean) toilet, water and electric and it’s FREE. Amazing. I felt I ought to contribute so I’ve been to the boulangerie and bought a couple of things and also bought some bananas in the shop.
It’s a great place for Lottie, as long as I keep her away from the ducks and swan, she can wander around.
Only 159 miles tomorrow (Saturday), hopefully a better day.
Photos of our overnight stop / village :
2019 Autumn follow the sun 