Steam Trains & Boats in France with Derek & Pat - September 2011

We had a great time in France, even though the weather was not kind for most of the week.
Our gite (farmhouse) was fantastic, with lovely enclosed grounds and a games room with a snooker table & table tennis.
After arriving Sunday, we did the usual unpacking and getting ourselves acquainted with the house before setting off for our first restaurant of the week!
Monday was a day of playing snooker & table tennis before taking in the chocolate factory, which was very interesting. Naturally, we took the opportunity to buy some goodies!! We went for a drive to the coast where Pat & Justin braved the wind for a quick walk on the beach. The evening was spent at home with a curry and some games.
On Tuesday, we went to Nausicaa. It is a great aquarium and we all enjoyed looking at the beautiful fish, sharks, sea-lions & crocodiles. We also stroked the Wrays before buying soem souvenirs in the gift shop. In the evening we went to Montreuil for dinner.
Wednesday we ventured to the underground city of Naours. It was fascinating to walk below ground and trying to imagine what life must have been like in hiding. It was, of course, quite cold underground and the caves went on for what seemed like miles! Afterwards we had our picnic and went home for a dinner of roast beef and all the trimmings made by our Pat.
The next day we took a trip to St Valery and had a nice long walk along the prom where we saw some boats and made arrangements for our steam train ride. Lunch was at a nice cafe and afterwards we looked around the shops and bought a few more gifts. The train ride was much fun and at the end we were allowed up onto the plate of the engine....John even got to wear a beret! On the way home Justin managed to get his tractor count up to 53 for the day!!!!!!
Friday was a day for Le Touquet where we wandered around the shops and along the prom. We stopped in a cafe before taking our time to enjoy the classic cars that were taking part in a rally. We all chose a car that we liked the most and had our photographs taken. There was a band playing and we enjoyed listening and having a jig to their music. Dinner was at one of our favourite restaurants where we all enjoyed some French hospitality.
Saturday was home time, but first off to Le Touquet again for the market. Off to Calais for our ferry home and late lunch was at our usual spot in Langans Brasserie where we enjoyed a relaxing meal in comfort.
We all had a great time and it was made possible with such a lovely group of people. Thanks to Samantha, John, Justin, Tracey & Kenny for not moaning too much about the weather!!

Derek & Pat