I suppose in truth ( and as we assured our offspring) our journey was reasonably uneventful. However , uneventful is no good for a blog – so the truth will out….
Our travels from the start point currently in the EU (and don’t get me started on Brexit or we”ll never leave the UK in this blog!)to Folkestone were uneventful. However we arrive at the tunnel to go through security ( can I remind you at this point that my name is marked – who knows where!- as a woman to be observed regarding the potential carrying of explosive matter) , and what do you think they ask us? Dear reader , they ask if we are carrying any firearms or weapons! We of course say no – although the DB says lamely under his breath “ We have a gun dog , does that count?” Fortunately this comment was only heard by myself and I feel I must clarify. Millie is certainly a dog, but gun dog she is not! I took her as a youngster for training with a chap who clearly knew about dogs, their training and held classes for those of us who didn’t!!! What I hadn’t quite realised was that these were gun dog training classes – and the other dog owners were very keen to show off their four legged friend’s prowess and ability. I think all I need to say is that Millie would sit next to me and ( occasionally) wait to be commanded to fetch the dumbbell. Then it all went badly wrong. Oh she’d find it alright – never fear on that score- but this is where she became just a Golden ( not a Golden Retriever) – retrieving is something that doesn’t interest her. After several attempts to chase after her, making a complete fool of myself in the process, just for me to collect the dumbbell, I felt no more need to attend these classes!
Again I digress! We cross the Channel on the train and set off through France also in the EU. Simple ! We manage to negotiate our first stop relatively trouble free. We did sit for a while in an automatic toll booth, repeatedly pressing the blue button for a ticket to no avail, till someone pointed out to us that we were in the wrong lane! However we did manage this time to negotiate the roundabout by our hotel safely. I say this time, because last time as we were leaving via our usual route, we were incensed by Mrs Sat Nav telling us “ take the first exit” “ Ridiculous” we exclaimed , “ it is clearly the third exit , how can it be the first?”
Well both were correct, although Mrs Sat Nav was trying to make sure we approached the roundabout in the appropriate manner for France! All I can say is the two cars we met as we went the wrong way round the roundabout, were most obliging and didn’t honk ( or to our knowledge) swear at us!
Now I don’t know how many of you drive in France, but the speed limits are an anathema. Yes it’s clear it’s 130 kph on the motorway reducing to 110kph if it’s raining- but off piste- quel disaster! We learnt a hard lesson last year when taking what the DB believed to be a short cut-not only in driving time but also to his pocket ( an opportunity not to be missed by Mr HOW MUCH?!!) Whilst travelling through a village he realised he’d been flashed by what we assumed ( correctly as it turns out!) – so after much investigation as to what may happen- we alerted family and friends back home to keep an eye out for the dreaded letter from the Gendarmerie. Nothing came! Phew,couldn’t have been us! Then in April this year ( six months later!) – a formal looking letter with a French postmark lands on out door mat and hey presto a 90 € fine! Some would say better late than never but without being disrespectful to the good police men and women of France, I don’t hold out a lot of hope. The last time we were driving through a big city in France in heavy traffic ( my good self at the helm) we pulled up alongside a police car containing two of the said gendarmes. Now the DB was busy on his phone but as a passenger, this is totally permissible. However the Gendarme found it necessary to tap on his window, point at the DB , shake his head – until I pointed out that I was in charge of the vehicle …..Somehow the gendarme didn’t find this amusing ….
No such distraction this time though – we sailed through Tours, Poitiers – although at some point in our journey we passed a field of concrete cows – took me straight back to Milton Keynes when it was first built ( and yes I remember it well!) Their claim to fame was a field of these immovable objects though why on earth such an array is necessary I’ll never understand !
So we continue to Andorra our next point of rest! In case you don’t know, Andorra is not in the EU but fortunately ever since the last Brexit deadline passed , I have made sure that Millie is properly covered for our travels. Be prepared to cross the border with all necessary documentation available and open at the relevant page we were instructed! Prepared we were, but imagine our disappointment when one minute we were in France the next in Andorra and not a border guard in sight. They had either gone for lunch or they didn’t work on Sunday!!
We arrived at our destination missing ( according to the road signs) any potential avalanche – possibly on account of there being no snow- and any free running bulls.
What a destination though! Neither the DB nor I have been to Andorra before! Wow is all we can say! We stayed in Soldeu with our friends David and Clive , in one of their ski apartments. Abject luxury , dear reader , having show photos to our nearest and dearest a family ski holiday is being considered!
As Clive and I walked the dogs in the morning – oh before I go any further I should introduce you to their dog, a boxer called Patsy, Princess Patsy to us, though on some occasions Patsy the Pervert ( don’t ask, please) ……
….we saw what to me was a mega ski slope( you understand with snow!)
This, dear reader, is The Face ( a black run) the home of the 2019 World Cup Ski Championships and to be the home of the 2023 World Cup Ski Championships!If anyone reading this is a skier ( please note I am not, but more of that in a future blog ) the quality of the accommodation here is five star and I cannot think of a more lovely relaxing place to come back to after a day on the slopes! The property itself is beautiful and surrounded by plentiful hostelleries and eateries so check it out by visiting skichaletandorra.com – just a minute, when I starting this blogging lark, if you remember I was following a man who earned a six figure sum from his travel blogging escapades! Ha! Here I come !!!!! I can see how it’s done now …….alas, the joy for me is sharing with you all. and that is how it will stay!
So before we leave a non- EU country for an EU ( in out, in out,shake it all about!!) country- I’m on a promise, yes me dear reader! Eat your heart out Ski Sunday 2023, for I shall be on a balcony in Soldeu, glass of Cava in hand, observing the World Ski Championship -and the proximity of the appartement balcony to The Face will allow me a perfect visual experience!!
Camino Romero 