My last night in France for a while, watching the evening light turn golden, and the wind dropping to something acceptable. I’m here at the Camping St.Louis, half an hour from the Tunnel, and will make my way there tomorrow morning. To be honest, I won’t be sad to go home, to my own shower, my own bed, my own toilet, my own routine. Just lately, I’ve got rather tired of caravans and motorhomes, and seeing their inhabitants as pretty much identikit campers: the rituals and routines of campsite behaviour pretty much the same; the dog-walkers; the overweight couples on their loungers, not doing anything; God’s waiting room on wheels. All of which is a gross exaggeration, and my reaction just a mark of what I must accept is my general exhaustion.

From Tours, it was an easy drive up to Normandy, with lunch at McD’s on the way. When I set off, I was toying with either the Municipal at Etretat, with a view of the famous chalk doorways painted by the Impressionists; or the Huttopia lies Falaises near Fécamp. I chose the latter, for a bit of guaranteed comfort. I was given a pitch next to a Swiss couple, Michael and Petra, also in a VW, a California. Over the next couple of days, I got to know them quite well. Michael also has a Transporter, for everyday use; and a range of other cars that he tinkers with. As a conversationalist, he could out-talk me. “Petra says I talk too much, telling everyone about my cars and so forth.” I shook his hand at this point. It was nice to be able to get a cup of coffee at the bar, and just sit in the social area. The weather has been blustery: looking out to sea, there is a large wind farm, sometimes lost in mist and drizzle, sometimes shining white in the sun.

The last few days I’ve felt the lack of my exercise regime, so I made a determined effort to go walking at least, and use my exercise band a bit more often. I took a walk down to the beach, to get a clearer view of the cliffs. Getting back up was more of a problem, with the steepness of the incline causing frequent stops for breath. with the weather as it was, I rested; and after two days set off again, for my last stop ready for home. I did stop off at a Leclerc hypermarket, in Neufchâtel en Bray, for a few bottles of wine.

Last night I used Mme Laurence’s restaurant; a bavette steak with chips and shallot sauce, huge, with 25cl of pleasant red wine. I had trouble digesting it overnight, but it was worth it. Today I decided to visit the local Auchan, a couple of km away. This started as a brisk walk; the return can only be described as a trudge, and stepping into the verge every time a vehicle came along. But a nice afternoon nap; and a bit of van tidying ready for tomorrow. Then home.