Landing in Bordeaux almost felt like returning home. We were familiar with the airport and knew exactly where to go to get the bus and light rail into town. A far cry from almost twelve months earlier when we jumped in a cab to get to our hotel in the city and paid close to a €100 fare. We would have run out of money months ago if we kept up that frivolous spending!
The light rail dropped us off right in front of the Mecure hotel we had booked just near the main railway station we would use the next day to head north. It was still too early to check in so we left our bags with reception and walked into town along the banks of the river. We enjoyed our time in Bordeaux last time so we were happy to just wander around getting a few things done before heading back to the hotel to have a rest before getting a train to La Rochelle the next day.
La Garonne 
Bordeaux streets 
Medieval Gate 
Riverside walk
Train travel was a nice change from driving. The trains are smooth and comfortable which allows you to read while enjoying a drink. We reached our destination, about two hundred kilometers, in what seemed like no time at all.
We still had two days before we were due at Curzon so we looked up what the historic city La Rochelle had to offer and it seemed to be the perfect place to spend what turned out to be the weekend, Linda found us an apartment on the harbour right near the entrance to the old town. It was an extremely old building that had been restored very well. The creaking stairs and floorboards were testament to it being a genuine period building. I couldn’t help wondering how effective the smoke alarms were because I reckon it would flare up like a paper bag in the event of a fire!
Hello La Rochelle 
Relaxing by the Harbour 
Lookout
La Rochelle was one of the greatest port cities in France. Great sailing ships laden with wine would depart from the old port for destinations around the world. Today it is a popular tourist spot with seafood restaurants lining the harbour and hundreds of visitors stroll through the old town where the architecture has been well restored. Once again, the sun gods were looking after us and we had a very enjoyable couple of days walking the maze like alleyways, checking out the local produce at the markets and treating ourselves to fresh seafood lunches.
Harbour gates 
Port area
Monday morning had arrived and we took the short train ride to Lucon, the closest town to Curzon. Gil was at the train station to meet us and after a brief visit to the supermarket, drove us to the house to be reunited with Jacqueline and the three pooches we would be looking after for the next five weeks. We enjoyed a feast of a meal with our new found friends that evening before they packed their car and headed off to Portugal the next day.
I described the property and the dogs a few blogs back but for those that need reminding, Gil and Jacqueline (sometimes affectionately known as Jack & Jill) live in a beautifully presented four hundred year old converted farmhouse which they operate a B&B out of, with their much loved dogs, Caramel – a beautifully well natured elderly cocker spaniel, Hortense- a prim and proper princess of a standard poodle and last but by no means least, Valentino – a grand, ginger, young and playful, Russian giant poodle. So, there we were, alone with our new dogs. The two females, Caramel and Hortense were an absolute dream to look after. Valentino on the other hand, was going to keep us on our toes! He was still very much a puppy – a 35kg puppy that was not aware of his own strength. He was generally well behaved but when he wanted to do something or go somewhere, there was no stopping him! Our morning walks took us through the nearby bog. Valentino would love running in the mud and one morning there must have been something in there that got his attention because there was no way he was coming out. After many failed attempts of calling I went in after him and at one stage was up to my knees in muddy slushy shit that filled my boots! By the time I got him out he was black instead of ginger and I had extremely cold soggy feet – the joys of house sitting! He really is a lovely dog and I was totally envious of the energy he had. When he ran around on our walks he would almost make the ground shake as he galloped past – quite a majestic animal.
Can I come in? 
Show off 
Local flora & fauna
The commune of Curzon is a quiet farming community and the town consisted of a church and a baguette machine. I love the ‘baguette machine’ – I have mentioned them before, they are vending machines that spit out a fresh crunchy baguette after you have deposited a Euro coin in the slot – only in France! Lucon is the nearest city to Curzon, about a fifteen minute drive, where we would do our shopping and visit the weekly fresh food market.
Morning walk 
Beach babies
A thirty minute drive in the opposite direction would get us to the coast where we would take the dogs in the back of the station wagon and let them run free on the golden sandy beaches.
Every Friday a van selling fresh local oysters would set up in Curzon and I became a regular, picking up a bag of un-shucked oysters each week from the friendly vendors. One time she even threw in one of those special knives – (I think she felt sorry for me because I couldn’t speak French)! Apart from the language, we were settling into this provincial French lifestyle very well indeed.
Fish 
Fred Flinstone Ribeye 
Wine
Our time in Curzon was drawing to an end. We had leased another car for six months which we were to pick up in Nantes, about an hours drive to the north. It has been pointed out that we could have bought a car with the amount we have spent on leasing but we still insist that leasing is the best way to go. As they are brand new vehicles, we were unlikely to breakdown and if we did, or had an accident, they look after everything including accommodation and a rental car if necessary. All without having to pay an excess/deductible. It really is the most convenient way to get around Europe.
Jacqueline and Gil returned from Portugal with the news that they were selling up in France and buying a house in Portugal – It must have been really a good trip! We celebrated their decision with another feast of a meal and the next day packed our (smaller than our last car) Peugeot 2008 to the ceiling to make tracks towards our next sit in Switzerland with a weekend stopover in Lyon. We’re going to miss our Curzon babies.
French provincial lifestyle
People ask us about how we get our house sits. This is the main website we use. https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/refer/RAF147238/
If you use the link above you will also get a discount on membership.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.
Enjoy.