06/05/18 – 08/05/18 – Mont St Michael, Normandy
This was our first night of paid camping at Aire de Camping Car (GPS 48.5902365,-1.5151345,16.25)- Beauvoir – Mont St Michael about 3 Km away from the monument. It is still an Aire but you get your own outside space and use of the services for €12.50. Good job as we were low on water and the toilet needed emptying…yes one of the joys of motor-homing! We enjoyed this place so much we stayed 2 nights.
In the morning we rode along the river to where we had to dismount and either walk or get the free bus to see Mont Saint Michael. We chose to walk. Amazingly Marley is now so different in his bike carrier, a massive contrast to the start, and its reassuring as it gives us so much more freedom. The sight itself was well worth the trip and is very impressive as you approach it. Its origins date back to the 8th century and it was a famous pilgrimage site across Europe. Today, it’s a Unesco world heritage site. The bridge has only recently made it easily accessible to tourists at both high and low tides. Inside consists of medieval architecture with narrow cobbled streets. I felt the boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants on the lower levels distracted from its original charm but Dan disagreed. There are many stairs which gradually take you higher and higher, and give amazing views over the surrounding landscape. Marley loved racing up the steps and exploring. Outside the walls, there were warnings of quick sand should you explore around the site and we before long we came across someone who look like he had fallen foul of these warnings, fully clothed and covered in wet sand up to his neck – he had been rescued by a fellow tourist who had time to strip down to his pants. They took time to pose for photos following his lucky escape. Totally recommend visiting this place, it was brilliant.
Later that evening we tried out our new mini gas BBQ (Cadac Chef) in the gorgeous evening sun and this was very a successful. The following morning, after packing up to leave, the electric hook up connector got stuck in the receiver. It took Dan and I, and a very kind French man to pull the bugger out with some force. Fingers crossed that won’t happen again.
Just to share with you a bit about Moho living, we have a pull down bed over the driver and passengers seats, and the area closest to the front on the van is what I call “the coffin”, this is mainly because Dan gradually pushes me into it during the night. Combined with the chesty cough he has at the moment and Marley barking to come sleep on the bed too, I think it’ll be a while until I get a good nights sleep. On a positive note, we’re loving being in the van, especially as you only need to hold your arm out to reach anything you need, and the freedom to easily explore is fab too.
Eating Out
The first evening we went out for dinner at a place called La Fermette in Beauvoir. The restaurant looked like good value and had seating both inside and outside, so perfect for Marley and the waiter had no problems with us bringing him in with us.
We both chose Pizza…(yes very French I know and our first meal out) which wasn’t particularly great – the base either tasted like it was gluten free, or was pre-made. It probably didnt help that Marley was quite vocal as there were other (quieter=better behaved) dogs in there, and whilst the staff were happy enough, we got a lot of sneers from other diners, so it wasnt a particularly enjoyable evening. as so we’re working on that….
Doggie Friendly
Visiting St Michael’s mount was great – no problems with with dogs whatsoever. The restaurant was too (even if the clientele weren’t!) There were also many safe places to walk Marley – long cycle tracks either side of the river were his particular favourite.
