Hotel de L'Ouest Chartres

Tres bien...<br><br>Drove down from Dover and pulled in at the Relais Beaucoeron Hotel and restaurant which is actually an upmarket truck stop. 10E for the nigh unless you dine in and then camping is free.<br><br>What value...for the grand total of 13E pp we were treated to a three course meal ...

... Paris). When we arrived we met Sylvie who is now a principal, her husband Jean Michel who works with the military and speaks very little English, and her daughter Helen, who is 27ish and an accountant. <br><br>We were so thankful to them for making us a fabuous meal with a variety of wonderful wines and delicious French food. The dinner started around nine and ended close to midnight, but that didn&#8217;t stop us ...

... as there seemed a plentiful supply of wine in their restaurant. We had a lovely meal, the whole shebang, which was not only expensive but delicious -Andre informs me we will be having a cheaper meal tomorrow :P. The mango vodka cocktail for starters and a bottle of 2005 Red Wine (Cabernet Franc) certainly didn&#8217;t go astray either. That may explain why Andre is fast asleep next to me at the moment. After a lovely day I think I may do the same until tomorrow&#8217;s adventures.

... sign. Jack was driving behind a people carrier so he didn't see the signs but the car in front had gone down a road other cars aren't allowed down so the security bollard was down for him &amp; when we went over it it came back up onto our engine. After a whole lot of fuss &amp; commotion (passers by called the police!) the car was towed to a nearby garage. We've since ...

... seemed to find it amusing to see on the adjacent minor road a strange apparition dressed like a huge wasp loom out of the mist. At least I assumed that was why they honked their horns!) Once again the sun broke through to present another clear blue sky and by 10:00 I rode into the historic cathedral city of Chartre. I love the architecture of cathedrals and this one certainly did not disappoint. But why did they have to build it on top of such a steep hill? Local people ...

I rode out of Rouen along my own route to Louviers, in defiance of the GPS . The morning was cool and grey and leaving at 07.30 meant traffic was light going out of the city, but grew increasingly heavy as those less fortunate than me made their way into work. Once through Louviers I picked up a route following the River Eure that must be one of the most beautiful in France. By now the sun was shining and the sky a brilliant blue. For yet ...

... 10,875 square meters Height of south-west tower: 105 meters Height of north-west tower: 113 meters. 176 stained-glass windows We had a look around the town, and had lunch, and i had escargots for lunch. On the way there i we stopped so i could post my postcards so i had to test out my french as the lady spoke no english. so i hope they arrive ok.

... in Chambray. On our way south we stopped at Pacy sur Eure, where I'm ashamed to say we went shopping again, this time getting more cheese, fruit and ham. We finally found a camp site on a hill outside the village of Maintenon. It was ok, but the water wasn't over warm in the shower, and it was one of the most expensive places we have stayed in France - &euro;15.60, without electricity. The weather set in just as we arrived so we had a hasty meal and an early night.

... a cold beer and a pretty cool view, check it out! Outside it is a huge grey old flying buttressed imposing melting from age looking building. My cranky old self followed him inside and....... I GASPED! Darnedest thing how sometimes moments just come out of the blue and grab ya. The Cathedral at Chartres took my breath away. We walked in and the organ was pounding and pumping and the arches are up in the ...

... good, homey food; good service; and a nice price. Interesting to note that, excepting the table of Germans behind us, all other diners spoke American English! Everything was tasty: I had an eggplant casserole, beouf bourgingion, and creme brulee; Mom had escaloped salmon, monk fish provencale, and vanilla/pear cake. All were excellent! (http://www.lecoupechou.com/) Stuffed and sleepy from exercise and wine, we headed back for some sleep before our last day in Paris...