Ben's Journal

Thursday 16 May, Ben’s Journal

On Thursday we (Me Amy Tom Mummy and Daddy) drove to the boat which was called The Mannanin and it was quite rough! When we were on the boat I found a £1 coin and spent it on a racing car game. Then we all watched Para Norman, it was really funny!”I LOVED IT!”When we came off the boat we drove to our cousin’s house.

Friday 17 May.

We stayed 1 night at our cousin’s house and Harry had a hovercraft! Tons of Lego characters including commander fox (he is a star wars character).

Saturday 18 May .

Today we drove into Henley and stayed Swiss Farm. At Swiss Farm I met Lily, Kate, Madeline, Daisy, Ellie and Jonathan. The Girls had a secret bush and their password=onesy. On the other hand thought me and Jonathan had 4 bushes and our password’s which were=BR (boys rule). I normally went to the park or scooted down the red tiled path. With me I had Lego Chima and monster fighters. Jonathan liked it allot. We played with them and normally turned they mad mode.

Sunday 19 May.

Today we went to a park in Henley and it was superb but we had to go across a field and across a busy road. After that I was really, really hungry.

Monday 20 May.
Today we drove to Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club. Then we went to Lego land Windsor resort. I liked it a lot but my favourite ride was Pirate Falls I like it because you can get drenched. The other rides where sky train, hill train, night quest, the dragon, Dragons apprentice, and I can’t remember anything else. Then we went back Chertsey camping and caravanning club. When we got back mummy read The Gruffalo and Charlie and Lola. Then we went to sleep.

Mardi Vingt et un Du Mai

Today we had to drive on the M55 to the boat and the boat went to France. When we got to France we had to get in mummy’s car and drive to our next campsite which was called St.Ladre. On the way there I was on my 3DS playing Pokémon platinum version and levelled Starly and Turtwig up. I levelled Starly who I called Amy up to level 14 and Amy evolved into Starvia. On the other hand though Turtwig got levelled up to level 16. When we got to the campsite we had to go shopping. I got in the front and helped daddy navigate to lidl (that’s the shop.) Then we raced back to the campsite and had penny pasta for tea.

Mercedi Vingt-deux Mai

Today we left Henley and drove to a place in Paris near Disneyland and played football and Badminton.

Jeudi Vingt-trois Mai

You won’t believe it today we went to Disneyland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When we got there we first went on Orbitation and me and daddy went on Space Mountain. When you go on it you can do a whole 360 turn and it feels like your body is being wrenched apart when you go through the galaxy.

Vendrei Vingt-quatre Mai

Today it started off very boring but then daddy announced that we were going to the Eiffel Tower. When we got there it was pouring down. Next we had lunch while going up the Eiffel Tower. We got to the second floor everything was titchy down below. Then we drove home and played cards.

Samedi Vingt-cinq Mai

We drove to Annecy and the campsite was called Grand Fleuris and it took 9 whole hours! On the way there we watched Alvin and the Chipmunks’ Squekaul and Short Circuit which is a movie with an army robot called Johnny 5(he called himself that his proper name is number 5).

Dimanche Vingt-six Mai

Daddy and I cycled into town to buy two baguettes. I said “Deux baguettes s’il vous plait” and Daddy paid. Do you know how much it cost? Euro 2, and we got 20 cents back. We all cycled into town and went to a market ‘a bricante’. Whilst I was there I saw some DS games, but unfortunately they were French.

Lundi Vingt-sept Mai

We had to cycle all the way to a small ferry which went across to the main town. Then we cycled to the centre of the town to have lunch. After that we had to cycle all the way back to Grand Fleuris. When we got there I was tired out whereas the other two were just lying back in the trailer, but Mummy very kindly let me have a biscuit and a half, which I shared with Amy and Tom.

Mardi Vingt-huit Mai

We drove to the campsite at St-Gervais-les-Bains where we had a picnic. We went up there because we went up to see Mont Blanc, the biggest mountain in Europe – it was massive! Whilst we were at the campsite we played in the park and I said it was the best park ever. We went to the toilets because it was a big journey home and when I got out I heard a huge clash <BANG> and I realised it was thunder- we had to get out quickly! We then drove home.

Mecredi Vingt-neuf Mai

Wednesday was a big travelling day, we travelled all the way to Yelloh Village in Greoux-les-Bains in Provence (south of France) because we hoped it would be warmer. On the way there we watched Shrek and I liked when donkey said “Pick me, Pick me” and jumped in the air and I also liked the rock and roll song at the end. Mummy pointed out a huge gorge. We also had to do a detour as there was a barrier across the road and we had to go down lots of windy hills and got lost but then we found ourselves and got safely to the next campsite.

Jeudi Trente Mai

I was desperate to go in the pool when I woke up (you will see this in a piece of paper in my work book which I will show you). When we got in the pool and got chilled to the bone and thought I had hypothermia. Later on in the day Mummy went for a big shop for my birthday tea and I climbed into the front the front of the car and I played on Vikings versus Zombies and it was pipsqueak. I had to give it back and after that we played hangman and I did a real stinker, it was ‘Monster truck’. Mummy took aaaaaaaaaaaaages to get back. When we got back we went in the pool again. It was still the same coldness in the middle pool but the little pool was hotter.

Mardi Trente et une Mai

Amy, Tom and I went on the bouncy castle, the one that it’s really hard to stand up on, because the other one was a training one with rope ladders, tunnels and obstacles but at least you got to go down the slide. After that I offered to help Mummy wash the sheets from the beds.

King of the Pool

It must be the puppy fat

Chilling

... after a dip in a cold pool

The Sun Is Out

... and Ben's happy

Ah, La Belle France 3

Le troisieme instalment, jeudi 30 mai

Bonjour mes amis. I hope that this blog finds you all well and finding TT practice exciting and not too arduous. I’ve heard that you’ve been having glorious weather recently and many are sporting a Manx tan ( long may it continue!!)
Had a wonderful few days on the shores of Lac Annecy. The day after my last instalment we took the ferry to Annecy via Saint Jorioz and Sevrier. We set off from Duignt (our local town), just below the chateau, having put our 3 bikes and the trailer on the lower deck. There were 3 guys drying their dive gear off on the pier in the sunshine, must have been up a lot earlier than us!
The lake trip was stunning if rather refreshing. Ames and I sat huddled together on the open deck at the back, allowing the fresh mountain air to invigorate us.

Annecy was delightful. We were met by a pair of swans and their 3 sygnets at the port, then disembarked and cycled through the park beside the lake to find a suitable picnic spot. It wasn’t long before lunch had been consumed and Ames was displaying her gymnastic prowess and Ben and Tom were climbing trees (the latter in his bright pink jockey shorts! Did he care, did he heck.)

We took a stroll into town having secured the bikes at one of the many bike racks looking for a loo, a place to post Amy’s letters to Ellie, postcards and a French Sim card. Even managed to find a post office to enquire how much it would be to send a box load of unessential items home – it’s starting to grate worrying whether we’ll encounter a hill start around every bend so looking to ditch a bit of weight (the French is starting to come back!)
The following day we decided to head to St-Gervais-Les-Bains, up in the mountains underneath Mont Blanc (and a place we’d stayed at on our last big trip 10 years ago). What looked a small distance on the map was a journey of 3 hours there and back up winding roads, lacets and tunnels. We managed to locate the site and have a sneaky picnique, a quick photo of where we’d stayed and a play on the park before heading off before a huge orage (storm) descended. This didn’t dissuade me from popping into a patisserie on the way back to acquire pain au raisin/ chocolat for the children and my first mille-feuille of the holiday!!!
We woke up the following morning to find that the snowline had again reappeared a few hundred metres above the camp – time to head off to warmer climes. The plan was to go through the Mont Blanc tunnel but at E50 a pop, we decided to change our route and head into Italy after a few days sunning ourselves en Provence.

Greoux-Les-Bains is a delightful spa town not far from the Gorges du Verdon. We’re on a campsite that over looks the river with plenty of space for the children to cycle/ scoot/ run around without disturbing too many of our French neighbours. The average age seems to be 65 (we got back to the site this afternoon to see the French equivalent of a bowling tournament taking place on the campsite’s petanque grounds – the competition sheet, kept in reception, for Friday’s tournament, was already full this afternoon!)

Went shopping for the boy’s birthdays today. Managed to spend E150 (E10 of which were on their cards – and you thought Clintons was expensive!!) Am going to try and make the equivalent of a Betty Crocker cake in my one and only pyrex dish for each boy, wish me luck! As you will know I’m not known as the world’s greatest baker, but the boys are already primed and I’m sure having scrubbed & rinsed the garlic butter out of the pyrex from tonight’s tea it will all work out right on the night!
We had such a lovely outdoorsy day, with B,A & T going from swimming this morning, v tough cookies – the water is freezing (followed by school lessons – they’re loving it!) to bouncing on the bouncy castle 20 yards away & which is permanently inflated, onto cycling, scooting, more swimming and then tennis before tea and bed. No wonder they’re asleep now!

Tomorrow we’re heading off down to the Gorge du Verdon for a spot of sight-seeing. We were hoping to be able to do a spot of canoeing but even standing on his tip toes I don’t think we’ll get away with them thinking that Tom is a 6 year old. Maybe a stroll into the hills (I’ve seen wild thyme and lavendar growing – v. Lovely, maybe I could make some lavender biscuits for the boys birthdays or would that be to Cath Kidsonesque?!? Night, night my lovelies. xx

Ah, La Belle France 2

Second Update, Dimanche 26 Mai

Bonjour mes amis. Writing this from another idyllic although somewhat different campsite on the shores of Lake Annecy. Arrived here from Paris yesterday (which we left after 2 days of unseasonable temperatures). The headline of one of the national papers declared that it was the coldest Spring since 1887!!! Trust us, but anyway....

The last few days have been busy, cutting all the boys’ hair,

teaching a french lesson, a day in Eurodisney, a day in Paris and finally a nine hour slog south to Annecy in the hope of some slightly warmer weather.

The children were so excited when we told them we were heading to Eurodisney, although ironically enough not as excited as they were when we told them about Legoland!! Even on our way to the park, the beautifully manicured lawns, immaculate flower beds and perfectly trimmed trees showed that you were on your way to Disney.

We arrived in the gigantic carpark and went whizzing into Bay A (much joy) and proceeded to the entrance (up a moveable walkway like they have at the airport!!). From there we got our bags searched, not for dangerous objects but in case you were carrying any contraband ie the illicit picnique with you!!) Yes, it was forbidden to take a picnique into Eurodisney! Fortunately they didn’t spot our meagre box of wraps, Prince biscuits and yoghurts under our waterproofs (hoorah).

We did have a great day although the weather was awful; heavy showers including large hailstones, strong winds and it was really, really cold, but waterproofed up we went on all the rides; Peter pan, Pirates of the Caribbean – which was fab, buzz lightyear lazer blast, haunted manor, small world and Kev and Ben ventured onto Space Mountain (oh so brave!) We had a meeting with Mickey Mouse (where Ben high-fived him so hard I don’t know if he’ll be able to wave again), Ariel – Amy loved it and Captain Jack Sparrow, Ben’s favourite. Came away feeling a little like we’d visited the perfect town out of Shrek, but glad we went and lots of fun.

On Friday we decided to head into the centre of Paris and given the inclement weather do a spot of sight-seeing from the car. Armed with our Tom-Tom (I’ll hold my hands up and admit that A. I’m never the best map reader, B. we’re in France where the maps are impossible to read even if you can map read and C. we were about to endeavour to go into Paris in our own car) we set off on our voyage of discovery. Soon we were passing Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musee D’Orly and so much more. It was fantastic to be able to point out so many landmarks and all were very excited to see la Tour Eiffel looming up from behind the plane trees. I took so many snaps as we were driving along: beautiful buildings, elegant doorways, street signs, a bride walking up some steps of an inner chapel parallel to the road.
We managed to get a park down one of the boulevards beside the Eifel Tower (7 Euros for 2 hours I thought was pretty good value considering!) Off we set, again in our waterproofs to admire this fine piece of French engineering. Then the heavens opened, the hailstones fell, the wind blew and we huddled under a shelter until the squall had passed. Fortified with a baguette sandwich, the children set out with more purpose. We decided in the usual Gelling way that no, to take the lift up the tower would be far too easy and where would be the adventure in that! so with promises of the wonderful view we would see oh and perhaps a chocolate bar once they descended, we set off up the many steps. We reached the first platform without too many complaints and the views over Paris were stunning, up to Mont Matre, over the Seine... Having taken lots of photos we headed up to the 2nd tier, Ben in the lead setting the pace, Tom and Daddy in the middle and Ames and I at the back. Amy was finding the height a little daunting, as was I but didn’t want to fuel her concerns! Kev and I were very proud of them when we finally reached the top and very happy when we were all back at ground level again.

Yesterday was a long slog south, mostly on the paeages so unfortunately you don’t get to see a great deal of France but after “Alvin and the chipmunks 2” and “Short Circuit”, I don’t know how we used to do these long haul journeys without killing each other (oh yes, we did, that’s right) we arrived at Doingt, between Annecy and Abbeville. The clouds were quite low over the mountains on our arrival, but around 8 they broke to show the most spectacular panorama.

We are not that far below the snowline (the campsite owner says that she hasn’t seen snow lying this late in the 20 years that she’s been here) and so the temperature drops considerably at night but it is so stunning. We went out for a cycle along the cycle path that runs along our side of the lake today. The leaves were that bright spring green and the fields were full of mountain flowers. Sorry, waxing lyrical now, but it was just lovely. Even an ever hopeful grasshopper was making a noise!

Now out of English gas – cooking dinner for 5 on one hot plate isn’t that much fun, but managed to produce sausage, mashed potatoes and peas so all went to bed with full tummies. Kev’s just come in from down-loading his latest internet stuff (we’re too far up the hill in the site to be able to have continuous wi-fi!) and he’s frozen. Anyway, signing off for now. Night Night, xx

Ah, La Belle France - 1

Ah la belle France, at last we have arrived.  Am penning this note from an idyllic orchard in deepest, darkest St George, not far from where the infamous Agincourt.  We visited this campsite 10 years ago when on our last grande vacance en France, and it’s still as basic, tho’ beautiful as ever, although the weather is a bit on the chilly side.  We are determined not to wear our trousers, but cutting a dash in shorts, crocs and socks, mmm v English / Manx!

We’ve had an eventful few days since leaving the Island last Thursday.  As was expected after long days and nights of packing, many into the small wee hours, we managed to scramble our things together for the afternoon sailing to Liverpool.  Thanks go out to:

• Clairey for her crèche facilities
• Joaney G for taking our hens (& Erwin promising not to kill them) assisting with the pack up / cleaning, helping with all the children’s parties and tending to the garden/ mowing as time allows
• Mum and Dad for all their help over the last few weeks (childcare, house cleaning, postal redirection, caravan tips and the final send off
• And how could I forget the fantastic, fabulous French washing line that was put up over our driveway in the early hours of Thursday morning by our gorgeous friends Pip and Rich. (for those who didn’t hear there was a washing line full of vests, bloomers and enormous brassieres, spelling out ‘Bon voyage’ and a slightly more dare I say it ‘tasteful’ Cath Kidsonesk bunting with “a bientot” behind this.)  Needless to say the CK bunting has come with us (along with a green spotty wooden heart) much to kev’s delight and is adorning the front of the caravan (thanks babe!)

The crossing went without any glitches (although Kev managed to leave the camera in the cinema lounge of the Mannanin) however the ramp coming off the boat was so angled and steep we thought that either the van would bottom out or the left hand side would be scoured out before even reaching the Liverpool docks.  Enjoyed the hospitality of Sharon and Paul that night and the children had a ball seeing their cousins, the dance show the following morning was excellent, even when we got dragged up to dance at 7.30am.

Unfortunately things took a turn for the worst as we endeavoured to pull the van off the driveway.  Living on a very busy road, kev was already slightly concerned about how he was going to pull away at speed.  (sorry, just breaking off for a sip of vino)  With the car side on to the oncoming traffic as we pulled the jockey wheel up (I know some of you will not know, so to elaborate this is the wheel the helps elevate the front of the van so you can put it over the tow bar) the wheel somehow got stuck under the front of the van and the handle which winds it up snapped off in Kev’s hand.  Oh flippin’ heck we all exclaimed.  As Kev used brute strength to lift up the front of the van, Sharon managed to get the wedged wheel out and after saying a quick goodbye, we limped off on the next leg of the journey..... to Henley, via a spares shop to get a new jockey wheel.

Simple enough we thought as Al, a friend down south mailed us with potential caravan spare shops.  Little did we realise as we turned off the M40 for a shopping detour that we would get caught up in the smallest hamlet with the largest social funeral just finishing.  As we waited for black range rover, followed by discovery, followed by porsche, followed by range rover and so on and so on (for at least 10 minutes) that as we rounded the corner we would come across the church with old boys wearing old school ties and commenting on what ‘an awfully nice fellow blah blah was.  It was excruciating enough as we went through the village green and passed the church where said funeral had just finished, but when we turned full circle and had to do the drive of shame passed the same vehicles a second time as we attempted to find the camp spares shop, I slunk lower and lower into my seat.  The hill start that Kev had to do to get us out of the village was probably the lowest point of the journey (the smell from the clutch stayed with us for the remainder of the journey!) but we are now in possession of a lovely new jockey wheel and £70 worse off!

  

Henley was just lovely.  Great to catch up with old friends, fantastic to see all the children getting on so well (see Amy’s and Ben’s blog of their take on the weekend!) everything was so leafy and green and the shops, but I was very good – currently have a one in one out policy so no new purchases for me.

We left Henley on Sunday afternoon after popping into town for lunch with the camping gang and meeting up with Tim and Ian, and getting a tour of Kate and Steve’s new house (if we ever head back down south Kev now knows the type of house I fancy!) and arrived in Chertsey, south west of London in readiness for a visit to Legoland the following day.  We handed each of the children a named envelope, saying that this was to be part of their birthday present.  Inside was a miniature lego figure and a ticket for a day pass.  They were so excited, cries of this is the best birthday present ever and you’re the best Mummy and Daddy ever were heard, bless!

It was rather a cold, cloudy day to visit the legoland or should that be water park but undeterred by the weather and donning our waterproofs we headed through the gates full of anticipation and excitement. (oh just heard a cuckoo calling from the nearby trees, haven’t heard one of those for years!!)  Anyway, the rides were great – no queues helped – particularly enjoyed the dragon roller coaster, the 4-D effects show where we managed not to get a good dowsing, seeing Tom’s little face as he drove his own car around the track and then A & B’s driving skills on the larger road network, both very nonchalant and the pirate show finale (how high was the tower they dived off and how cold must that water have been that they dived into!?! ) Apart from a few panicky minutes where Ben decided to take himself off for a mooch and Kev being duped into buying the wrong doughnuts (he was so disappointed at their size) we had a great time and the rain only arrived as we reached the car.

Left early this morning for our trip to Dover.  Chertsey was very handy but I couldn’t get over the noise from the nearby M25 and the planes landing overhead.  Apparently (as I was having a sneaky doze at the time) Tom’s face was an absolute picture as we drove along the motorway and this huge plane with its under carriage down flew in front of the car not more than 200 metres away.

The boat journey passed in a trice, although again it was fun and games this time getting on the boat. They put the caravans on the 2^nd level up with the cars with a dog leg of a ramp at 45 degrees.  We might have stood a chance of getting up in one if the campervan 2 cars ahead hadn’t been made to stop, causing the car and van ahead of us to stall and us to have to stop.  Again the clutch was not at all happy and we may well be visiting a Ford garage in the not too distant future (doh!)  The guy in front of us was not at all happy and like him we may well be sending a strongly worded e-mail to P&O before the week is out.

So at last you find us sitting in this lovely little spot in France.  The sun is setting (there’s a small break in the clouds.)  We’re celebrating with a glass of something cold and sparkly and I better go before I continue to write about rather than soak up the surroundings.  Nigh Night! x

Le Hail

Thursday 23rd May

The coldest spring in Paris since 1887 and here's the proof - hailstones at Disneyland Paris

La Poupe de Jour 3 cont.

Tuesday 21st May

In their wisdom P&O decided to put all caravans on the second deck. This involved a run up a steep ramp. This might have been do-able, except the caravan in front stopped half way up.

Cue another steep hill start and cue more 'cheesy socks' courtesy of a burning clutch.

Kev

La Poupe de Jour 3

Friday 17th May

Went looking for a caravan 'shop' to get a replacement jockey wheel just off M40. Found the place, eventually. However, on the return route to motorway, I also found, courtesy of a steep hill start, that the S-Max is a little underpowered (or just  got too much stuff) and that a burning clutch smells like cheesy socks.

Kev

La Poupe de Jour 2

Friday 17th May

Leaving my sister Sharon's house in Chester, I managed to break the caravan's jockey wheel - the wheel at the front which stops it tipping forward.

Hope to pick one en route to Reading

Kev

La Poupe de Jour 1

Wednesday 15th May

During last minute tidying up, I took to cutting up my old credit cards. Unfortunately I mistook a 08/13 for 03/13 and cut up the credit card for getting Euros while in France!

Em did have a second card but didn't know her pin. Cue a frantic phone call to Santander asking for a replacement.

Two Days To Go

First post Two days to go and still lots of packing - eek!