Nearly a very expensive toll charge...

Milo and me have just returned from a few days exploring in the Beast. Can't say the weather was in our favour, it pretty much rained constantly added with Milo jumping in one river and two ponds thus providing us with a rather soggy van. But never the less we enjoyed ourselves. Although I must say I think France is 'closed'. Every town and village we visited was void of people and most shops or restaurants were closed. It seems the only hive of activity is in the bakers. They're on every corner and if you ever do see a person you can guarantee they'll have a baguette under their arm.

I was convinced when I arrived in France I would spend many sunny afternoons sitting in pavement cafes sipping proper French Latte, being amorously observed by handsome French men wearing berets. Today I sat in McDonald's with a happy meal surrounded by school children. But bonus was free wifi.

Our weekend was spent parked on the rivers edge in La Suze sur Sarthe. A very picturesque village albeit quiet. I did originally think I had the whole area to myself but a whole bunch of other motor homes soon parked up beside us. We spent our days walking by the river, reading, writing and cooking. Early mornings and early nights pure peace and quiet. Except for the church bells, they do love their church bells in France.

On our journey there I managed to set the satnav to avoid toll roads. Unfortunately on my return I found myself at a dreaded toll booth. For some reason my ticket kept popping back out the machine and standing in the pouring rain aware of the queue behind me I eventually pressed the help button. The usual language barrier ensued and when she asked me where I had come from I carefully planned my reply "Liverpool" I said, knowing full well that people very rarely knew where The Wirral was. Duh! Blonde moment. They obviously meant where had I joined the motorway not where I was born...

MiloandMe off on our road trip...

Our peaceful location in La Suze Sur Sarthe...

Neighbours...

Lazy Sunday's... 

Just two of many bakeries...

Milo my hero dog...

I've had an extremely quiet week all on my own. I'd like to say I've written loads for my book but I seem to have spent more time googling the right and wrong ways of doing this. It's all quiet mind blowing, past present tense, first or third person, never use That word, it goes on and on and just makes me question all I've written. But I am writing, albeit slow, with far too many coffee breaks.

It seems the only person who seems to miss me at the moment is my French learning website. They send me regular emails actually saying 'Nicci we miss you'. Them and the tax man grrh.

I had a fall out with Bear dog this week. I was standing in the field just minding my own business when I heard a strange noise. I looked down and Bear had cocked his leg and was peeing on my fake Ugg boots. He also pees on my van every morning and when Milo stops to do a pee Bear pees on top of him! Seems Bear has territory issues. I also found out this morning that hedgehogs scream. Well they do when Bear decides to play football with them. All rather distressing, for me and the hedgehog.

I entered Milo into a competition with Burns Pet food this week under the title of 'I love my dog because...' There were so many entries of all these hero dogs it was difficult to decide which one of Milos heroic stories to write about. So I chose just a few of his many. Can't understand why he didn't win...

Me writing in the Beast...

Somebody loves me...

I mean Come On! Hero dog... 

An American Werewolf in France...

Last night I decided to take myself on a night out. I'd remembered Climon telling me they had music in his jazz bar so I planned to head there. I think it's an age thing but as it got nearer to evening all I wanted to do was put my jammies on and go to bed. I actually had to force myself to go out. It's really hard walking into a bar on your own, especially not speaking the language. I pep talked myself on the drive there convincing myself this was all perfectly OK. I parked the Beast up in an appropriate getaway spot and walked towards the bar. Not before, when opening the door, dropping my mobile phone under the Beast and having to get a kitchen utensil to crawl underneath to try reach it! Hoping nobody saw me I confidently strutted down the street. I approached the bar from behind another building surveying the clientele. Unfortunately it had frosted windows and I probably looked like I was casing the joint. So I bit the bullet and just walked in. It was like that scene from American Werewolf in London, when they walk into the pub on the moors. Everyone turned round and looked at me but didn't say anything. I spotted Climon behind the bar and in my nervousness said Bonjour Lemon (a word association I'd used to remember his name) and ordered a small beer. After nursing my beer for as long as I could muster and casually reading all the posters on the wall I didn't quite know what to do. There didn't appear to be any music playing and I couldn't even listen in on others conversations. So I took the remainder of my beer and sat outside to finish. Then I made a discreet exit and headed home.

I am slightly impressed that I did walk into the bar and am confident I will do it again.

This morning I headed to Mortagne au Perche market for a little mooch. Seemed to be mainly fruit and veg and strangely lots of mattresses. I then found another good coffee stop and even got free wifi, that's a first. Tonight I'm cooking myself spagbol and have got me a 3 litre box of wine for five euros, sweet dreams...

How I used to be on a night out!...

Me casing the joint...

The rather quiet market, joking...

Last Valentine's Day alone...

Happy Valentine's Day to me! How sad that I can't remember the last time I celebrated this day. It's been far too long and therefore I must make a huge effort, to make this, my last one alone.
I do remember one, many moons ago, that ended quite badly. I was all dressed up to the nines, LBD, stockings, high heels and my hair all done up. Unfortunately ten minutes before we headed to our restaurant we had a pretty horrendous row. I think it was something to do with my son playing his music too loud, pretty lame on reflection. Anyway one thing led to another and the restaurant was cancelled and the evening was ended before it began. So feeling very sorry for myself I jumped in my car and headed to my nearest McDonald's and treated myself to a 'happy meal'. I reckon I was the best dressed customer in there that night.

I've just been into the town, Mortagne au Perche, for a bit of tlc shopping, chocolate/coffee/wine. Then I treated myself to a coffee in a little Blues Bar in the centre. The owner, Climon, was ever so helpful trying to get me on his free wifi but to no avail. Anyway we got chatting and he informs me they have Jazz and Blues music most weekends and that I should come along. Well I may well do that this weekend, put a bit of slap on and go tap my feet. Climon speaks excellent English so if nothing else a bit of conversation will be nice. And on a positive note, on my way home today I got lost and ended up finding myself the local McDonald's...

Happy Valentines Day...

My Milo always got my back...

Its a dogs life...

Milo and me went off exploring for a few days in the Beast. We found ourselves a lovely little spot beside a lake in La Ferte Mace. I originally tried to park up in the carpark but it had those dreaded overhead barriers blocking our entry. So I drove on a bit turning down a little country lane and found us a little oasis all to ourselves. We spent the next couple of nights in peace and tranquility :) Although at one point, later in the evening,  a few cars parked behind us and a bunch of young boys were hanging around. It's funny but because they were speaking French I decided it sounded lovely and imagined they were discussing which library books they had each chosen. Not for one minute thinking it was some kind of illicit drug deal occurring at my back door! Ignorance is bliss.

Milo loved chilling by the lake and obviously plunged in on more than one occasion. Not ideal having a wet dog in the Motorhome but it's his adventure too. There was even sand around part of the lake so we pretended we were on the beach, alas no bikinis only thermals and wellies. I got to finish reading my book, cooked our favourite tea, mince and mash, and watched some lovely sunsets. Then we threw on our glad rags, knocked back some cheap plonk and hit some clubs in town.... Kidding! I do enjoy being on my own, always have, it's only recently that I've realised its ok to admit that. Although I do wonder if that is probably my downfall and the reason I'm still, and more than likely to be, always single...

Dog tired...

On our little beach...

Parked up safe...

Strike a pose...  

One night of passion...

Le Garçon phoned me from the bus stop asking if I could drive to collect him. Not a problem I say, I'm on my way. That is until I found myself sinking deeper and deeper into the mud. I'm in the lovely Mercedes van, which is apparently rear wheel drive, and I'm getting nowhere fast, except lower. I must add I'm not totally stupid, well not usually, and I did try my best. Low revs, reverse and forward, slight rocking, carpet under the rear wheel but all to no avail. I tried for that long Le Garçon eventually walked home and found me caked in mud and looking rather deflated. We abandoned the vehicle until help arrived. And help certainly did. In the form of two local farmers, two tractors, one digger, some passing road worker men and Le Garçons father. Between us all we eventually got the vehicle out the mud and onto solid ground, I say between us all, I kind of just stood there apologising.

This information is probably not going to put me in good stead for my Rust2Rome road trip. My team 'Range Pig' are possibly wondering why on earth they have me on the team. Good news is the Range Rover is a four wheel drive, or does that mean all four wheels will get stuck in the mud?! Oh well if nothing else I'm good for standing on the edge of the road requesting assistance.

I'm so excited about the Rust2Rome trip in June. I've been reading all the comments on the facebook group and there seems to be a fun bunch of people participating. Apparently on previous trips people have made life long friendships. I'd settle for one night of passion with a hot Italian man...

Stuck in the mud...

So excited...

Callipygous blondes and redheads have more fun...

Took Milo to Belleme forest yesterday and stumbled upon an interesting little Spring. I couldn't translate the description plaque other than something to do with donkeys and arsenic. With this information I decided not to drink the water, just in case. So we just headed further into the forest and had a little game of hide and seek, its all go in my world! On the way back we stopped at a little cafe and I tied Milo up outside and went in to order a coffee. Except I hadn't quite tied him up properly and he charged right in heading straight for the basket of baguettes. Only just managed to pull him back and apologise profusely to the staff.

This week I've been trying to make a conscious effort on my writing. But I'm a typical Gemini and am so easily distracted. I end up with so many pages open on my iPad, facebook being the worst. Why on earth I feel the need to know what someone, who I've never met, is eating for their lunch I'll never understand. Or finding my new favourite word on a Favourite words list. Which in case you're interested : Callipygous.  Then finding the Beyond Your Blog site which has given me even more encouragement to write. But it's all a bit like my adventure, peeking at websites or picking up hitchhikers, it's all relevant to who, what and where we are. I did come across MC1R website which is focused on redheads. Of course I had to send in a picture of Milo and hopefully he will be appearing in their April issue :) And I believe my team on the rust2rome rally are describing me on their page as glamorous sweet talking blonde. Hope I don't completely squash that illusion when they finally meet me...

Possibly the fountain of youth or certain death...

Hide & Seek...

Callipygous...!