Help!

Have just tried to upload photos and it appears to have got hugely more complicated - if anyone can please explain to use Picasa Web albums in words I am likely to understand then please email me on betsykye@gmail.com. Thank you.

Oh, and Jaqui- thanks for your good news, please email me on above address as I cant reply to you via the blog.
Bye all, off for a walk.

Hello from the Basque country.

Sorry not to have written before but we’ve had a very full time as you will see, and I have been told to include photos so waited till they were sorted so get comfy with a cup of tea or a glass that cheers and read on.

We left Dieppe around 4pm heading towards Rouen, found a lovely little campsite by the river and had drinks and supper in the evening sun, little did we know that would be the last time we saw it for the next few days! Arrived in Orleans in the most awful rain so even though we got a parking place right next to the cathedral we didn’t stay long cause guess who had forgotten museums close on Mondays in France??

Our journey down to Beziers took us through some amazing mountain scenery via Clermont Ferrard then we came off the motorway to travel through the Gorges de Tarne – breathtaking and some very hairy driving for Irene though I think it takes courage to watch yourself hurtling towards a cliff face or a steep drop! We spent one night at a campsite by the river in the gorge, very special place. The next day we were on the Larzac plateau which is Knights Templar land- the whole plateau was given to them so they built a number of commanderies – walled towns that had military and religious uses but mainly for growing and storing food for the Crusades. After the Templars were abolished the lands were given to the Hospitallers but thats another story. We visited a couple of the sites which were fascinating if you’re into that sort of thing.

So, after the Knights Templar we were in Cathar country – now this is something else , the Aude region of  Languedoc – it has everything, vineyards ( producing some very very nice rose at 2e!) beaches, the canal du midi, Beziers, Castles on the top of mountains ( more Knights Templar) and best of all the sunshine!!! At last – a chance to get the swimsuit off and get some rays so we did, even had a rest day by the canal and a lovely village called Colombiers. And the weather stayed good for another couple of days while we explored the region- I really wanted to see some of the Cathar castles – one of them Queribus was the last bastion before the Cathars were wiped out so we headed there- quite a long trip so when we got there I was a little disappointed to find that the road up to the castle was so steep that we couldn’t take Betsy. But I wasn’t going to let a little thing like a 3 km hike up a mountain on the hottest day stop me- no sir! So up I went leaving Irene and Kye snoozing the afternoon away. And it was a slog but for me was worth it- stunning views and a great castle. Thankfully a very kind French chap drove me down again for which I was truly grateful.

So, after that it was time to get across to the west coast as Irene was booked on a flight   Bilbao –so on Sunday we headed off along the motorway so a very easy journey and only took about 4 hours, we ended up in a small town down the coast from Biarritz with the most stunning surfing beaches and still lovely sunshine till Mon am, not stopped raining since!. So, it was an amazing 10 days, covered over 1500 k’s, had some great food, lots of laughs and much too much wine.

And next- well I’m heading further into the Pyrenees to St Jean Pied de Port the starting point of the Camino – will blog more frequently so its not as long. Enjoy the photos and by for now.

Well, here I am again after a break of nearly a year. Yes- am just two days away from the off - going to France and turning right this time, heading for the Iberian peninsula - thats Spain and Portugal to most of us. And due to public demand I will be blogging as I go.

The gang's all here and raring to go - probably all looking a little older and in some cases a bit rusty,  ( I leave you to decide which of the team that description relates to). Its been a good year, lots of great things happened especially over the summer, been lovely to spend time with old pals and to make new friends. Huge thanks to Sally who has opened her home to Kye and I for the majority of the time, I know she is looking forward to having her peace and quiet  back and not dreading the postman arriving every morning - what is it about dogs and postmen???

Anyway- will be setting off on Sunday morning, Irene is coming for the first week - heading down to southwest France first to spend some time in the Cathar country then after I drop her at Bilbao I am going to follow the Camino to Santiago de Compostela - some of you may have seen the film The Way, if you have you will have an idea of the wonderful scenery that awaits especially over the Pyrenees. I will try not to talk about the weather too much this time, would be great to receive comments over the blog as it stops me feeling as if I am talking to myself.
So, bye for now and see you in France!!

And finally....

 So here it is-the final blog. The ferry's booked, Kye' had his treatments, the route to Dieppe has been planned and I have a table booked in the restaurant for my final French meal. Brittany has been fantastic- great wide beaches, skies that go on for ever, delicious seafood, Irene and I really enjoyed our few days; since then I have been back in Chartres where this trip began.

And what a trip its been- lasted 20 weeks, covered over 12000k's and had some amazing times - yes, of course there have been some down times but they pale into insignificance when I consider the life I have been so fortunate to have led - everything I had asked for-  and talk about being looked after - not one thing has gone wrong  (whoops, maybe I shouldn't be pushing my luck, Not at Dieppe yet!)
And Betsy has been a star - I was so lucky to find her - thanks Steve at Eastfalia.

But I can't go without thanking you all for your texts and emails- they made such a huge difference. And whilst this adventure is finishing a new one begins- where to live, how to earn some money so I can go again if I want to - so much to look forward to - but don't worry, - I'm not planning on blogging that one - not yet anyway.

So, a final au revoir and a bientot from Jane and the gang.

A quick note

To all of those of you who have emailed me regarding finding a  vet for Kye-he thanks for you for your concern, says he's well but has to have a flea and tick treatment by a vet before he is allowed back into the country.(Even though he has been having them every two weeks.....! )

 He does wonder why I dont have to have any shots - I tell him that its because alcohol kills all known germs, and there he was thinking I was doing it for pleasure,
Bye for now

France Continued...

 And since then I have been pottering around the Burgundy region- really lovely - full of little villages, medieval monasteries and fabulous towns like Beaune - where I couldnt resist a winetasting in 13th cellars - 13 million bottles but we didn't get the really good stuff- wonder why? (This is a picture of the famous Hospital de Beaunen) and Cluny famous for its abbey.
Have been staying on municipal sites which tend to be just outside the town and cost around 9euros per night. And talking of the nights- brrr is all I can say on a public site- if I tell you that 8am its been 6 degrees you get the idea- but it has been lovely and sunny during the days.

Making my way to Brittany now, meting Irene in Dinard next weekend, going via Carnac and the standig stones. After then, well think the weather is telling me that its time to head for the ferry so will prbably be back the following weekend after fidning a vet for Kye's treatment - he is really wel and enjoying France I think.
So adieu et a bientot.

En Route to France

 These are the mountains through which the Frejus tunnel passes, I dont think I have ver been in such majestic scenery - and people put their feet into two pieces of wood and throw themselves down them- must be mad!

But it was a fantastic drive, although the tunnel itself wasn't that great- as its so old there are no fans so it gets very stuffy- hate to think what it would be like when its busy - the diesel fumes must be awful- memo to self- next time close the windows!

But after the lovely drive I came upon yet another lake- and stayed a couple of nights on Lac du Bourget - beautiful.