Around the World 2024: Bordeaux, Nérigean, Saint-Émilion, Arcachon

<< Donostia, Euskadi. (San Sebastian, Spain) >> Next to London or Alfriston

Thursday, 9th May - Monday 13th May (4 Nights) in France for me. Thursday, 9th May - Thursday 16th May (7 Nights) in France for Leb.

Summary: We popped over the border into France for Leb's birthday treat and a week with her sister at her new house in Nérigean near Bordeaux. Lucy booked the nearby Chateaux Camarsac for a fantastic birthday dinner for Leb followed by a fantastic wine blending session. This was the highlight of four nights relaxing surrounded by lovely vines, drinking fabulous wines and eating delicious food in the area. We squeezed in a day at the magical town of Saint-Émilion and even managed to fit in a trip to the beach near Arcachon, before I left for Blighty - allowing Leb and her sis time to catch up in peace. She stayed on three more nights.

Arriving in Nérigean (Thursday, 9th May)

We said our "adioses" to San Sebastian - or, to be fairer, "Agurrak" to Donostia. There was the now traditional "goodbye video" followed by a short walk back to the bus station where we caught the bus for the relatively short trip east into France and then north to Bordeaux.

The bus ride from Donostia to Bordeaux went quite smoothly despite a very long stop somewhere near Bordeaux by a big river (maybe the Garonne) the for no apparent reason on the way.

Soon we met at the rendez-vous spot in Bordeaux where Lesley's sister, Lucy, picked us up and drove us to her new house in the most tranquil setting...

Berdoom Window View

Day trip to the Atlantic (Friday, 10th May)

Our first full day in France was spent on a lovely day trip to the Atlantic, specifically to Lege-Cap-Feret, near Archachon and the Atlantic coast. We stopped off in Bordeaux on the way as Lucy had ordered a very special cake for Leb's rapidly appraching birthday.

Pleased to see Ukrainian flags in Bourdaux

It seemed like half of France were having the same idea because the traffic was really bad and on the way it was bumper-to-bumper for much of the way.

When we got there we found a lovely holiday home with a gorgeous swimming pool to relax in with family.

After a refreshing dip it was time to dry off and have tea in the shade and get to know the latest addition to the family.

After pigging out on pizza it was time to get into that delicious cake.

Oh My God!!!

More!

Time for a bit more slobbing by the pool...

Then it was time to go, but before heading back in land we made a quick trip to the beach and the fantastic Atlantic coastline.

Then it was time to head back, past the amazing Arcachon Bay.

Bordeaux Wine and Dining (Saturday, 11th May)

The next day was the highlight of the stay in France for me. We had the most amazing trip to a nearby chateaux, ate the most delicious three course dinner, drinking copious amounts of bordeaux, had a tour of the vineyard and finished off with some enjoyable blending of wines. The day was topped off with me watching Forest v Chelsea live.

Lucy brilliantly found the football on her TV and I sat down and had a couple of beers watch Forest get beaten at home to Chelsea 3-2. Fortunately results went our way elsewhere so it looked as though the tricky trees would still avoid the drop.

Chateaux Camarsac

Leb's Birthday day trip to StEmillion (Sunday, 12th May)

Sadly the weather wasn't very kind on Leb for her birthday but we stuck toour plan anyway and headed for the nearby picturesque town of St Emillion, famous for its wonderful Bordeaux wines.

Of course, as a species treat for the birthday girl, we had to stop off first for some delicious pastries.

It was a bit of a challenge finding somewhere to park but once we did we had a short walk to the top of the hill in the center of town.

One of the objectives of the trip was a visit to Chocolaterie Maëlig, a source of exquisite goodies. But when we arrived it was closed so we had to potter around and have a look at Fountaine de la Place, an old communal washing bath, apparently.

The chocolaterie soon opened and we able to go in and sample there wares.

After that, we were on our way back to Nerigean for a fantastic supper and a few glasses of our specially blended wines.

I can't remember was this was but... t'was divine.

Trip to St Emmilion

Blighty for me, a few more days in France for Leb (Monday, 13th May)

After Leb's birthday, it was time for us to go our seperate ways for a few days. I would spend a few days on my own in London whilst Leb enjoyed a few more days of indulgence with her sister in France.

So, it was an early rise before Lucy kindly drove me to the airport to catch the direct flight from Bordeaux to Gatwick Airport.

Let us not say "goodbye" but as the French have it... "Au Revoir!"

The trip to the airport went smoothly and all too soon I was saying goodbye to my darling. It would only be for three days but after living in each others pockets for two months solid I was missing her already.

French Expenditure Summary (Résumé des dépenses)

Thanks to Lucy's kindness in putting us up, and lashing out for Leb's birthday, this part of the holiday was very kind to our bank accounts.

Embarssingly, I have only one item of expenditure in my records for the whole stay - AUD $45 for some shopping we did at a supermarket - thanks Lucy!

Mood Summary

Needless to say, it was a hapy stay too with my mood score avaraging 10.5 - 0.5 over the four days I was there. The road trip to the sea, despite the terible traffic, and the wonderful day at Chateau de Camarsac were the highlights.

Alcohol Summary

This was a surprisingly boozy stop, with the visit to the winery clearly causing a peak in the alcohol consumption.

The Holiday So Far

So, with the 7th destination under our belt we can see that this was the shortest, and by far the cheapest stay (thanks to Lucy) so far. It was also a pretty alcoholic stop for me. I really just love the red wine from Bordeaux!