Blog Post

One More Week In France Before Heading To Spain

Martin • Aug 25, 2017

Continued on from The West of France and I am spending one more week in France with my cousin Serge in Southern Dordogne region near to the market town of Ribérac and looking forward again to meeting three of his children, that are coming to visit for lunch on Saturday, the day before I head off to Spain.

Always great to catch up with Serge and learn more about him, with listening to more of his past stories. We also played cards, had a drink or two while chatting the night away.

While travelling you are free from the TV with its news and adverts. Also a lack of wifi, so you remember chatting is so much better, than spending your time on Facebook!


"Travelling slowly with more time than money"


While here I have discovered a great park "Grand Etang de la Jemaye" A large lake where you can swim and cool down, surrounded by pine and oak trees, the lake was man made in the 70's.

You can walk or cycle around the 5 k lake and is only 10 minutes from Serge's house. We took 3 dogs and a 4-year-old who liked playing in the water and the sandy beach.

Makes for a great stop with the campervan!



Every Friday mornings in the nearby town of Ribérac there is a market selling a lot of local fresh products and some organic stalls.

The market becomes full of life, with French and many English who live and visit the area. The market is definitely worth a visit, even if a little overpriced. I brought some fat sausages, different types of bread and avocados to make a good breakfast. I also tried some of the samples, took photos and had a rest at the cafe nearby, with an espresso or two and watched the world go by. There are many French that are old, but all look in good health even though you see many French smoking, something I have not seen back in England for a while now.

Travelling on your own, you get used to enjoying your own company, you should try it! Locals and other tourists always make you feel more welcome then it seams back in your hometown. As it could be that time passes slower and time has less meaning.


We had a lovely family get together and BBQ on Saturday when Serge's children and grandchildren come to visit. Great to spend some time with family. We had a good chat over a drink and toasted a drink to my late brother John! Cheers John.

Sunday morning was my last day before heading to Spain. A 7-hour drive, so I was very grateful to Serge who cooked a full breakfast fit for two Englishmen. With French duck sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggs, avocados, and Hinz bake beans all cooked on the BBQ and we eat in the garden. Thanks, Serge for a great time at yours

Continue my road trip to Spain..........

Transit campervan and Dometic driveaway
By martin wilkins 17 Aug, 2022
Wild camping spots and campsites. Mountain biking and hiking
Snowdon miners track
By martin wilkins 10 Apr, 2022
A visit to Snowdonia, hiking the miners track and returning down the Pgy track. Then hitting the road South, looking for more adventure...
By Martin Wilkins 23 Jan, 2022
Charging the power station from the leisure battery in my campervan or from 110 W solar panel. To be a little self-sufficient when wild camping. Also, allows me to charge laptop and the phone for working remotely on longer trips away.
Cuba cycling
By martin wilkins 17 Oct, 2021
The world crisis we are all going though, will bring suffering and hard-times. This will bring a brilliant opportunity, from a good kick up the back-side to get people to work and build a better life. As we become in-tune of what's really important, we will not be able to rely on the health care system, people will have no choice but start to take care of themselves. Things will get better, but not the same as before, we will see less plastic rubbish being brought from China and more quality goods made locally.
Merrick Trail
By martin wilkins 30 Sep, 2021
First trip to Scotland, based at Loch Ken 1/2 hour drive from Castle Douglas. Visiting 4 of the 7 Stanes; Kirroughtree, Dalbeatie, Glentress and Mabie, plus a days hiking up the Merrick trail.
Local trail rides
By martin wilkins 10 Feb, 2020
Cycling can change your life Cycling trails is one of the most spectacular activities you can do, for total enjoyment, fitness and living in the moment by not having a care of the big wide world, all with a big sense of achievement.
Travel more, buy less
By martin wilkins 28 Jan, 2020
I urge each of us, to invest in experiences instead of more stuff. We are living in the golden age of debt 'monotonous life' yet the world has so much to offer 'experiences'
Brush Hill The Chilterns
By martin wilkins 15 Jan, 2020
High Wycombe, almost the centre of The Chiltern Hills, close to the River Thames, is where I can explore my backyard from.
Hiking Monachil Los Cahorros
By martin wilkins 11 Dec, 2019
Discover the known and unknown beauty that makes Spain a true hiking paradise. With our local guides, you will have a true travelling experience.
By Martin 23 Sep, 2019
Returning to Cruzy, situated in the real South of France. To help on a very interesting project, to turn a 1850's house in to a cycling retreat.
More Posts
Share by: