We had decided that as we had a double pitch and intended to stay on the Ria Formosa Camp-site at Cabanas, on the eastern Algarve in Portugal, for a while, we would put up our stand alone tent-room. It has been quite some time since we last put it up and our memories and [...]
All posts by Frances Platman
Stand Alone Tent Room
Posted by Frances Platman on 16/11/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/stand-alone-tent-room/
Tavira and Olhao
The Ria Formosa Camp-site is very close to the train station and bright and early, we caught the train to Tavira, just a short ride along the Portuguese Algarve coast. By showing our driving licences we were allowed to purchase tickets at the pensioners’ rate. Having been to Tavira on a number of occasions [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/11/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/tavira-and-olhao/
Ayamonte on Spanish/Portuguese border.
The drive from Albir, near Benidorm was beautiful as we had decided not to take the coastal route but go inland. We drove through Elche and on to Guadix, which is a town with Troglodyte caves that people are still living in. Although having visited and looked at the cave houses three years ago [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 11/11/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/ayamonte-on-spanishportuguese-border/
Innsbruk
Innsbruck: Where the golden roof glistens on a cloudy day It wasn’t raining at 10am, when we caught the free bus from outside the campsite, but it looked like it was very threatening so we were suitably dressed. The bus took us into Netters village and still using our free bus ticket we caught the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 09/06/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/city-news-innsbrucks-golden-roof-even-glistens-when-there-are-clouds/
The Fridge Has Given Up Again.
A Burnt Out Fuse-box. We left Lazise and drove through to Venice. Bernard and I planned to stay at the Lido di Jesolo with Lara for about five days and then drive her to Bassano di Grappa, which is north of Venice, where she was setting up a photographic project; ”Boxing Bassano”. As we approached [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 07/06/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/motorhome-problems-the-fridge-has-given-up-again/
Lido de Jesolo
A Typical Italian Resort The fuse-box for the motor-home had not arrived yet, Bernard’s computer seemed to have a virus, I had done the washing at the campsite launderette and we were fed up. Time to take a bus into Jesolo for the afternoon. Jesolo is the main town on the island and a very [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 31/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/town-news-jesolo-is-a-typical-italian-resort/
Venice Has A Very Secret Garden.
Guidecca´s Garden Is Too Secret Lara was being met outside the station at Venice by a hire car to take her to Bassano di Grappa. This had been arranged due to a train strike. We accompanied her from Punto Sabbioni as she had her camera equipment with her as well as a suitcase of clothes. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 30/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/city-news-secret-garden-of-venice-is-very-secret/
Islands of Venice
Taking advantage of our travel passes we took the ferry from Punto Sabbioni to Burano; a very pretty small island with colourful houses and a very busy main square. Yes, it is a tourist island with gift shops everywhere selling lace items supposedly made on the island and glass items made on the nearby Murano [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 29/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/city-news-visiting-the-venice-islands/
Venice.
Whilst we were waiting for the new fuse-box for the motorhome, we took advantage of our time with Lara to visit Venice in Italy. The ferry port at Punto Sabbioni on the Lido di Jesolo is just a short distance from Camping Miramare and having purchased a three day ticket which entitles us to hop [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 28/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/city-news-venice-preparing-for-the-biennial-art-festival/
Verona
Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou in Verona? We had arranged to meet Lara at Verona station in Northern Italy and as she had luggage and a heavy camera bag, we took the motorhome and parked it at the designated parking spot for motorhomes, not far from the station. Having met her and returned to the parking [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 24/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/city-news-romeo-wherefore-art-thou-in-verona/
Lazise, Lake Garda.
Municipal Campsite At Lazise Is A Great Place To Stay. We have stayed at Lazise Municipal Campsite at Lake Garda in Italy before; last time we had to leave as they were closing it down for the winter at the end of October. The staff are very friendly and helpful and it is in a [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 23/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/campsite-news-lazise-at-lake-garda-is-a-great-location/
Florence is still superb.
Camping Michealangelo With the motorhome repaired, we set off once again not knowing quite where we would end up! Before long we decided to revisit Florence in Tuscany and made our way to the campsite at Piazza Michelangelo. The position we were given this time was not as good as previous visits, when we had [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 21/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/city-news-florence-is-still-superb/
Trigano At Cusano, Tuscany.
Trigano Are Great People To Do Business With. Our main reason for going into Italy was to see if we could have some repairs done to the motorhome. The manufacturer, Trigano, has its’ factory at Cusano near San Giminiagno in Tuscany. After leaving Milan we made our way to the factory and went into the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 20/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/motorhome-newstrigano-are-charming-people-to-do-business-with/
City news: Rome now charges to visit the Forum.
When we last visited Rome we wandered around freely; there was so much to see and day bus tickets are a waste of money as everywhere is within walking distance. Our trip to Rome this time, once again on the train from Orvieto, awakened our memories. It was a bit of a shock to see [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 14/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/city-news-rome-now-charges-to-visit-the-forum/
City news: Orvieto still magnificent.
Having parked the motorhome at the Sosta at Orvieto Scalo that afternoon we took the funicular up to Orvieto and caught the mini bus to Piazza di Popolo. A slow walk around confirmed our memories that it is a very special town. The Duomo is one of the best in Italy, it’s gold encrusted facade [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 12/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/city-news-orvieto-still-magnificent/
Italian Sostas: Orvieto great for Rome too.
After having had excellent and courteous attention at the Trigano factory, near Poggibonsi in Tuscany, Italy, in the morning and arrangements made to have repairs carried out on the motorhome for 23rd May, we made our way to Orvieto in Umbria to visit old friends. Naturally, we, parked our vehicle at the Sosta, the Italian [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 12/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/italian-sostas-orvieto-great-for-rome-too/
Jewish interest: Israel Independence Day barbecue in Milan.
The owners of the Milan campsite, in Italy, are an Israeli family. We discussed with them in the morning where the Kosher butcher was in the town and were told to go in the morning as they might be closing early as today was “Yom Hatzmaut”, Israel Independence Day and there were to be a [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 10/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/jewish-interest-israel-independence-day-barbecue-in-milan/
Campsite news: Camping Milan still a good stop.
We have stopped at the campsite for Milan a few times before and we were greeted like old friends. It is a convenient site for visiting Milan as buses are nearby and it is a simple and cheap way to journey into town, especially if you are planning to stay more than one day as [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 09/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/campsite-news-camping-milan-still-a-good-stop/
On the road: Gotthard Tunnel is long when you are tired!
After leaving the Metz campsite we drove through to Mulhaus. What a beautiful journey that was. Spectacular scenery kept us oohing and aahing and we stopped several times along the way to take in all around us. We planned to stop for the night on the French side of the Gotthard Tunnel but as the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 07/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/on-the-road-gotthard-tunnel-is-long-when-you-are-tired/
Campsite news: Revisiting Metz.
It is a year since we last visited Metz in Eastern France, when we were on our way home to a dying mother. Then we stayed outside the campsite at the Aire and were not in a great mood for sightseeing. Today we stayed in the campsite which is right on the river, is well [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 06/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/campsite-news-revisiting-metz/
On the road: Binche in Belgium.
We arrived at Dunquerke in France at 1.30 a.m. and parked at the ferry waiting area for the rest of the night. It really is a good place to park before boarding or after arriving at the port. Then… We travelled through Belgium once again. Plenty of sunshine and no rain. We stopped at Binche [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 05/05/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/on-the-road-binche-in-belgium/
Poem to my granddaughter: point-to-point.
Dear Rheannon, We’ve come back from Aunty La, It wasn’t near but not too far. She took us to some pretty places And even a day at the horse races. Point-to-point is what it’s called. It was so cold we were not enthralled. The wind it whistled across the grass, Especially when the horses pass. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 05/03/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/poem-to-my-granddaughter-point-to-point/
Campsite news: Moreton in Marsh is great for Cotswolds.
We had a car load of our daughter Lara’s belongings from our garage to take to her new abode at Blockley in the Cotswolds, but as she has not been able to set up her second bedroom yet we also took the motorhome. I drove the car and Bernard the “Roller" and we had arranged [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 26/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/campsite-news-moreton-in-marsh-is-great-for-cotswolds/
Food news: the fish were jumping!
The fish stalls at the harbour at Calais are always a must stop place for us if we are returning to England. Today was no exception. There were only a few stalls open when we arrived there, but how many do you need? The one we chose had some lovely little plaice and larger ones [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 22/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/food-news-the-fish-were-jumping/
Bus trips: Sluis is pretty even in the rain.
It was a cold dull morning and we decided to take the bus into Ostend, but unfortunately missed it by five minutes. The next one was due in an hour and we were too cold to wait around so we crossed the road and took the first bus to Brugges which came after just waiting [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 19/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/bus-trips-sluis-is-pretty-even-in-the-rain/
Jewish news: a kosher meal in Antwerp.
Belgium really looks after its elderly people, even visitors. After taking the bus from Jabbeke into Brugges, we decided to take a train trip into Antwerp, discovering, that as we were Senior Citizens, we could take advantage of the reduced fair. That was quite a bonus. Our first stop was of course the Tourist Information [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 17/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/jewish-news-a-kosher-meal-in-antwerp/
Poem to Granddaughter: a chocolate E-mail
Dear Rheannon, We are in Belgium now you know, It’s quite cold although there is no snow. But there’s chocolate, chocolate everywhere. Granddad says, “It’s just not fair”. He cant have some ‘cos he’s too fat, No chocolate bunny or chocolate cat. There is so much chocolate that they make, Chocolate sweeties and chocolate cake. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 16/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/poem-to-granddaughter-a-chocolate-e-mail/
City news: Brugges has magnificent architecture.
It was a pleasant bus journey into Brugges from Jabbeke. This part of Belgium has very attractive little villages and towns, through which we passed. The Tourist information Center at Brugges had changed somewhat since our last visit some years back. It was now a large modern glass building. We gathered our leaflets and asked [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 15/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/city-news-brugges-has-magnificent-architecture/
Campsite news: Jabbeke, good for visiting the cities.
The Acsi campsite book didn’t give us much hope when looking for a campsite that was open in February and convenient for visiting the beautiful cities of Brugges, Ghent,and Antwerp in Belgium. However, they recommended Kleine Strand at Jabbeke, with buses running from the centre of town to Ostend and Brugges which is open all [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/campsite-news-jabbeke-good-for-visiting-the-cities/
On the road: Beatles talk in Paris.
We were staying on a campsite at Villevaude, about 26 kilometres from Paris, France, but the transport from there to Paris was diabolical and rather expensive. However we decided to give it a try for one day. After all so near and yet so far. It was a short walk into the village to the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 11/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/on-the-road-beatles-talk-in-paris/
Campsite news: Soissons a great little town.
Having left the campsite at Villevaude near Paris in France, we decided to make our way to Belgium, but, as is usual with us, we made a detour and stopped off in Soissons in Picardy for a short break for refreshments. The Aires book stated there was a free Aire here, but we couldn’t [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 10/02/2011
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/campsite-news-soissons-a-great-little-town/
City news: Jewish Museum, Camden.
We were meeting Lara later that afternoon and had some time to spare. What should we do? We were in Camden, North London, so decided to visit the Jewish Museum, where I had been meaning to visit for some time. It has a very welcoming entrance and pleasant staff on duty, who even made the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 03/11/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/city-news-jewish-museum-camden/
City news: Pricilla is a great show.
Lara was commissioned to take some photographs backstage at the Palace Theatre, in the heart of London’s theatre land, where Pricilla Queen of the Desert was showing and managed to get us some tickets. What a great show; outrageous amazing costumes, over the top acting, super songs and dancing, and a great fun night out. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 03/11/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/city-news-pricilla-is-a-great-show/
City news: Olympic Park revisit.
Following our disastrous first visit with the grandchildren to the Olympic park in London’s Stratford in the summer, Bernard had written to complain and we were promised a revisit, not a general weekend visit but to be part of a corporate tour. Today was the day! We met up with a group who were from [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 02/11/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/city-news-olympic-park-revisit/
London life: those pesky rabbits.
We bought some unusual herbs in pots To grow and add flavour to our food. There was grapefruit mint, sweet cecily, Creeping savory, thyme, oh lots. They grew so strong outside our door. I nurtured them with love. I picked a few bits now and then, But now they are no more. The herbs that [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 27/10/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/london-life-those-pesky-rabbits/
On the road: Great Tews, Little Tews and Shipston on Stour.
It was a cold grey miserable day but Lara picked us up from Riverside campsite for another foray into the beautiful countryside. We “oohed” and “aahed” as we drove around the “chocolate box lid” villages, even though the skies were threatening. We stopped at Great Tews, which is just entrancing and had lunch in the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 14/10/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/on-the-road-great-tews-little-tews-and-shipston-on-stour/
On the road: a walk around Stratford upon Avon.
We took the 10am taxi-boat from the Riverside campsite along the Avon to Stratford upon Avon city centre. It is a twenty minute leisurely cruise with a very friendly informative skipper. As we had arrived ahead of time, the skipper took us further up the river as far as the weir, showing us the famous [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/10/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/on-the-road-a-walk-around-stratford-upon-avon/
On the road: herbs, road runner pheasants, and Stow on the Wold.
Lara collected us from the Riverside Caravan site near Stratford upon Avon and took us to the cottage where she is staying at Clifford Chambers just a few miles down the road. She is there until the end of October having won this bursary for women writers for time to write. It was a very [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 12/10/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/on-the-road-herbs-road-runner-pheasants-and-stow-on-the-wold/
U.K. Campsites: close to Stratford upon Avon.
Our daughter Lara had won a bursary for women writers, to spend two months in a cute little cottage at Clifford Chambers, a small village just outside Stratford upon Avon, in the heart of England, and we decided to pay her a visit. As the cottage was a one up, one down, we knew we [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 11/10/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/u-k-campsites-close-to-stratford-upon-avon/
London Life: the Bank of England Museum.
The three granddaughters were getting ready to start the new school term, so it was one last outing with them this summer holiday and we decided to take them to the Bank of England Museum in the City of London. “Oh no” the girls said as I bleeped when I went through the security X-Ray [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 01/09/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/london-life-the-bank-of-england-museum/
Sorry about the gap!
We returned to England on the 10th May as my mother was very ill and she eventually died on the 4th June aged 97. So no Tortoise Tales to tell I am afraid. Bernard and I are still in UK and I will be using the opportunity to catch up on some stories from previous [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 01/08/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/08/01/sorry-about-the-gap/
London Life: a trip to the Olympic Park.
It was pouring with rain when Bernard, the three granddaughters and I arrived at the Olympic park bus stop outside Stratford Station in East London. We were early but the bus was there waiting with its door open. “Can we get on?”, we asked, as did the others arriving at the same time. But NO [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 31/07/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/london-life-a-trip-to-the-olympic-park/
Some prose: in memory of my mother.
She is at peace now Her suffering is over. She fought to stay alive She fought to die. What else was there to do At ninety-seven years old? They were angels The Carers in the Home. They gave not just attention They also gave love, Even through her tempers Over the years. And [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 20/06/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/some-prose-in-memory-of-my-mother/
Gourmet news: induction hobs are great if you have the correct pans!
When we are plugged into electricity at a campsite we have been using a single hotplate. It takes an age to heat up and we decided we were going to buy an induction hob, which works by magnetism, is instant heat and instant cooling and is cheaper to run than normal electric hobs. Whilst in [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 14/05/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/gourmet-news-induction-hobs-are-great-if-you-have-the-correct-pans/
On the road: ferry operators want to charge too much at the kiosk.
Leaving Metz in the Moselle district of France, we sped on our way to Calais along the motorways. It was Sunday and in France no lorries are allowed on the motorways so the roads were virtually clear. We really do not like using motorways but needs must; we needed to get back to UK [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 09/05/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/on-the-road-ferry-operators-want-to-charge-too-much-at-the-kiosk/
On the road: Metz is a grand town.
Having left the Heidelberg district in Germany, taking the motorways on our speedy journey home, we arrived at Metz in the Moselle district of France late afternoon. It had been a delightful journey through forests and interesting farmland and we would have been happy to have stopped and investigated the area if we had not [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 08/05/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/on-the-road-metz-is-a-grand-town/
On the road: not quite Heidelburg
Having left Worms in Germany, our next destination was Heidelberg and we arrived at the campsite Haide, which is 5 Kilometres from the town, in the late afternoon as is our norm after meandering along and stopping at little villages. The campsite is on the River Neckar and is quite a pretty site. We decided [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 07/05/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/on-the-road-not-quite-heidelburg/
City news: Worms is well worth a visit.
The charge for the Stellplatz, official parking for motorhomes, at Worms in Germany, was only 4 Euros. It is only a short walk into the centre of town, but it was pouring with rain when we set off to discover it. Worms has a very grand Cathedral, a rebuilt Synagogue, Jewish museum, the oldest Jewish [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 06/05/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/city-news-worms-is-well-worth-a-visit/
Tortoise tales: a poem
I never thought I could Write poems that were good Or funny tales like Pam Ayres. But sitting on a sunchair At a campsite by the Rhein With the weather more than fine, Reading Pam’s little ditties, Which are really very witty, Gave inspiration to my thoughts. To try my hand I ought And write [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 01/05/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/05/01/tortoise-tales-a-poem/
City news: Cologne Cathedral hits you in the face!
We took the bus from the campsite into Rodenkirchen centre where we caught the train into Cologne, in Germany, alighting at the stop for the Cathedral. You can’t miss the Cathedral as you come out of the station. There it looms, a Gothic masterpiece, right in front of your eyes amidst all the modern architecture [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 30/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/city-news-cologne-cathedral-hits-you-in-the-face/
Campsite news: good for Cologne.
The four-star Campsite Berger at Rodenkirchen is right on the River Rhein in Germany and an easy trip from there by public transport into Cologne. We arrived at lunchtime and seeing a rather inviting restaurant on site we decided to partake of their food on the patio. It was an upper-medium priced restaurant with decent [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 29/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/campsite-news-good-for-cologne/
On the road: Xanten is very pretty.
Our next stop in Germany was at a large Stellplatz at Xanten, just a short walk into town. We parked in the grass field surrounded by trees and shrubs and after settling down trotted off into town. Xanten is famous for it’s Roman ruins and it’s working windmill, with bakery attached. It’s a very pretty [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 27/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/on-the-road-xanten-is-very-pretty/
On the road: stopping at a German Stellplatz.
Our intention was to drive along by the side of the Rhein in Germany as much as we could, rather than on the motorways and so it was that we found ourselves on the first evening in Germany at a Stellplatz at Emmerich. The Stellplatz system in Germany is quite sophisticated. These are stopovers for [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 26/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/on-the-road-stopping-at-a-german-stellplatz/
On the road: flower festival at Haarlem.
The sun was shining, although it was a crisp day and we needed to be dressed warmly. Just the right sort of weather to enjoy a flower festival in Haarlem, near Amsterdam in Holland. Two days earlier I had telephoned Pauline, who lived in Haarlem and had been an Au Pair with us in 1972. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 25/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/on-the-road-flower-festival-at-haarlem/
On the road: Jewish museum at Amsterdam.
Zandwoort am Zee, on the Dutch coastline, is on the train line into Amsterdam. It only takes about half an hour from the campsite into the centre of Amsterdam, is relatively cheap and is a pleasant ride. What greeted us as we emerged from the station was the thousands of bicycles parked, some in multi-story [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 22/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/on-the-road-jewish-museum-at-amsterdam/
Campsite news: good for Amsterdam and Haarlem.
We wanted to spend a few days exploring Amsterdam and Haarlem in Holland, and to enjoy the flower festival that was to take place and decided that a good place to stay would be Zandwoort by sea. There are regular trains to Amsterdam and trains or buses into Haarlem, which are both short trips away. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 21/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/campsite-news-good-for-amsterdam-and-haarlem/
On the road: beautiful Keukenhof Gardens.
We were so lucky to arrive the week that we did at the Keukenhof Gardens, as the bulbs were late this year, because it had been such a bad winter, and were only just opening. What a blaze of colour greeted us, and the perfume of the hyacinths nearly blew our heads off! The gardens [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 20/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/on-the-road-beautiful-keukenhof-gardens/
“Sat Nav” information: essential for Dutch motorways around Amsterdam.
Driving from Breda towards Keukenhof, we got caught up in the spaghetti of motorways around Amsterdam. We were so glad that we had set the Sat Nav, as at one stage it was not possible to move into the correct lane at an exit and went sailing off down the wrong road. Our machine immediately [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 19/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/sat-nav-information-essential-for-dutch-motorways-around-amsterdam/
Campsite news: free free-range eggs
Just inside Holland, south of Breda and near a village called Hoeven, is a beautiful campsite set in the forest. On arrival, Bernard jokingly asked what time they served breakfast in the morning? The proprietor handed us a box of 10 eggs and told us they were free-range freshly laid that morning and we could [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 18/04/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/campsite-news-free-free-range-eggs/
Motorhome problems: water-pumps leak!
On waking up one morning to find a very soggy carpet is not the best way to start the day. It was more than an upset glass of water. There was obviously something wrong. We traced the dribble back to the cupboard door, under the table, behind which lived the water-pump. We had to take [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 20/03/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/motorhome-problems-water-pumps-leak/
Campsite news: great for London.
Whenever we bring our Motorhome back to London we usually stay at one of the Lee Valley campsites in North London, or both if we are going to be in London for more than two weeks. The campsite at Picketts Lock has a ruling of a maximum of two weeks stay, so we alternate with [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 12/03/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/campsite-news-great-for-london/
Gourmet news: Kosher wines from Calais.
A little gem of an emporium run by a fantastic family is Le Chai Ardresien wine shop just outside Calais on the St Omer road. Paul and Bea and their amazing daughters Adah and Ruth have always made us more than welcome whether we are spending 10Euros or 100! However it is very difficult not [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 10/03/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/gourmet-news-kosher-wines-from-calais/
Gourmet news: great Kosher charcuterie.
One of our discoveries whilst travelling through France has been the Kosher butcher’s shop, Marcel, in Rue de l’Engannerie, Caen in Normandy. All the varieties of his home made charcuterie are delicious ( I know, we have tried them) and his uncooked meats always look so fresh and inviting that even a non-meat eater might [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 02/03/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/gourmet-news-great-kosher-charcuterie/
Motorhome scrapes: yet another towing event.
Driving through on our way back to UK, we realised by the time we were nearly at Nantes that we had better find a campsite soon, and stopping off at the Aire we spoke to some people from southern Ireland driving a “5th wheel” vehicle who told us they were going to a really nice [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 25/02/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/motorhome-scrapes-yet-another-towing-event/
People watching: dogs show up men.
Jarnac, in the Charente district in France. has a very spacious Aire for motorhomes right by the river, where we had parked for the night. However, as the previous week had been freezing the authorities had turned off the water facilities at the “Borne” machine, and we were unable to fill the water-tank as we [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 23/02/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/people-watching-dogs-show-up-men/
Motorhome scrapes: a prickly situation.
We were driving on the N340 in Catalunya in Spain towards the French coast. Bernard decided he wanted to drive along the coast road as his navigator showed a road. I looked on the large scale map and could see that a railway ran between the N340 and the coast. I glanced down towards the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 17/02/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/motorhome-scrapes-a-prickly-situation/
Flying visits: our daughter’s birthday and book launch.
Lara, our daughter, was 40 years young today and to celebrate not just her birthday but the launch of her very first book, she decided to hold a party at the “Secret Garden” on the roof of Shoreditch House in the East of London. The very reason for our visit back home, having been staying [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 14/01/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/flying-visits-our-daughters-birthday-and-book-launch/
Flying visits: setting off the alarm at the airport security.
We were flying back to London, for just one week, from Faro airport in the Algarve to London, Stansted. It was the first time I had flown since I had my hip replacement operation in September as we had come over the channel from UK with the motor home on the ferry. I was amused [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/01/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/flying-visits-setting-off-the-alarm-at-the-airport-security/
Campsite news: Charolas at Ria Formosa, Cabanas.
The owners at the Ria Formosa campsite at Cabanas, near Tavira in the Algarve, are really welcoming people. They took over this site just two years ago and have re-furbished it to an extremely high standard. But its not just the quality of the fixtures and fittings that make this a fantastic site, although not [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 09/01/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/campsite-news-charolas-at-ria-formosa-cabanas/
On the road: Three Kings parade in Huelva.
The rain had stopped and although overcast the weather looked promising and it was the morning of the 5th January. Bernard had arranged with some new friends we had made, on the campsite Ria Formosa near to Tavira on the Algarve, that we would go with them in their car over the border into Spain [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 05/01/2010
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/on-the-road-three-kings-parade-in-huelva/
Jewish history: Faro Jewish heritage centre.
Shortly after arriving at Armacoa de Pera, on the Algarve in Portugal, I was reading the Portuguese English paper and noticed in the “what’s on” columns for 13th December a snippet saying if we wanted an invite to a Chanukah party just phone….. So I did and spoke to a charming man who originally hailed [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/12/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/jewish-history-faro-jewish-heritage-centre/
Motorhome scrapes: “the sand is soft”she said.
Arriving at the campsite late afternoon at Monte Gordo, just in Portugal in the Algarve near the Spanish border, the receptionist said, “ park anywhere but the sand is soft”. Was this a secret message we wondered? Bernard drove around the site and was going to park on a pitch but a man waved him [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 07/12/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/motorhome-scrapes-the-sand-is-softshe-said/
Motorhomes reunited: being loyal to his first true love.
It was a beautiful sunny day when we arrived at the campsite at Armacoa de Pera in the Algarve in southern Portugal. The receptionist at the campsite office told us we could park anywhere there was a space. We drove slowly around this large site, but suddenly our Rollerteam Granduca motorhome seemed to be [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/11/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/motorhomes-reunited-being-loyal-to-his-first-true-love/
Jewish History: Belmonte and Castelo de Vida in Portugal.
On our journey through to the sun we stopped at various towns including the two I have written about below. We are so glad that we did. Belmonte is a hill town in the centre of Portugal, and was the birthplace of Pedro Alvares Cabral, who discovered Brazil. It once had a large thriving and [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 08/11/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/jewish-history-belmonte-and-castelo-de-vida-in-portugal/
On the road: hot chestnuts in Guarda.
students at chestnut festival Our first stop in eastern Portugal was Guarda , which at over 1000 metres above sea level is the highest town in the country. We parked in a square by a school and got out of the motor home. The wind was bitter and we quickly returned to put on more [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 07/11/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/on-the-road-hot-chestnuts-in-guarda/
Fun with a Sat Nav: getting lost in Bilbao.
It was pouring with blustery rain and approaching 3 o’clock on an autumn afternoon. It was time to stop before it gets dark. Bernard had set the Sat Nav for the Soprelano campsite which is very close to Bilbao in Basque Spain, and we were very near. The motorway was so different to the one [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 04/11/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/fun-with-a-sat-nav-getting-lost-in-bilbao/
On the road: musical motorhomes again
The drive into Cahors in southern France was spectacular, gorges and sheer drops and beautiful autumn hued trees. The sunset through the trees was beautiful. We were really looking forward to spending the night here. It would be another free one as the “Aires de France” book listed a motor home stop right by the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 29/10/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/on-the-road-musical-motorhomes-again/
On the road: playing musical motorhomes.
We had decided to stop for the night at a campsite at Neufchatel in Northern France. The navigator led us to the road, all very well so far. A Netherland registered motorhome approached us with both the driver and passenger waving furiously to us. “How very friendly”, we thought as we waved back. However [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 26/10/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/on-the-road-playing-musical-motorhomes/
Home news: successful hip operation.
We had been home for a while because I was waiting to have a replacement hip operation and unable to walk even down a road without difficulty and in great pain. On 3rd September 2010 I had my op. Even when recovering from the anaesthetic I realised that I no longer had pain in my [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 16/09/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/home-news-successful-hip-operation/
People watching: elegantly matched in Deauville.
It was a grey morning, with an hint of drizzle in the air as we walked into the centre of Deauville, Normandy, France. The market was in full swing and buzzing with people. My hip was troubling me so I decided to sit on a bench and watch the world go by. How elegant the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 11/08/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/people-watching-elegantly-matched-in-deauville/
Welcome to Tortoise Tales
Frances and Bernard Platman are on their extended gap year, which began in October 2003. This Blog was inspired by two motorhomes who had fallen in love and were reunited five and a half years later. We are continually updating the blog, and now (at time of writing this) we have been adventuring in [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 18/07/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/07/18/welcome/
People watching: fun on a bus.
We were at Villagio dei Fiori campsite at San Remo in Liguria, Italy with a bus stop just outside the entrance. It was a beautiful day and we decided to take the bus into Ventimiglia nearby. We did not realise how funny this could be. Opposite us a very well dressed woman, with immaculate [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/06/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/people-watching-fun-on-a-bus/
Motorhome Hints: have the correct keys with you.
We were staying on a campsite in Hertford England for three weeks, and because we were so near to home had our car with us. We both had sets of keys for the motorhome and for the car. It was a fine day and we had the roof vents open. It was tea time so [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 01/06/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/motorhome-hints-have-the-correct-keys-with-you/
Motorhomes reunited: a moving love story.
Our Rollerteam Granduca motorhome seemed to have more life to it as we left the Newbury Motorhome Show. Perhaps because it had the electronic innards reprogrammed to hopefully give us a better fuel consumption and more pull on the hills, or because we had fitted a smart new back-box onto the bicycle rack instead of [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 19/05/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/motorhomes-reunited-a-moving-love-story/
Updating the Blog
A little of bit of a gap here … hang on just updating the journal…. check back in a few weeks/ months/ who knows…. Do please go to the ‘The Trail Begins’ because this is where it all began. Frances
Posted by Frances Platman on 01/05/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/updating-the-blog-3/
Market news: great antique market at Isle sur la Sorgue.
We were up bright and early and having left the campsite we arrived at Isle sur la Sorgue by 9am as we needed to find a suitable parking spot for the motorhome. The town was buzzing and full of stalls. The River Sorgue surrounds the town, with rivulets flowing through. The attraction of the town [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 22/03/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/03/22/market-news-great-antique-market-at-isle-sur-la-sorgue/
Market news: Broiderie at Villeneuve D’Avignon.
It was pretty windy when we set off from the campsite with our new Japanese young friend, Aki. It was a stiff walk up the hilly road to Villeneuve D’Avignon. The little town was bustling with lots of stalls and plenty of people. It was fun having someone else to discuss all the “bargains” with. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 21/03/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/03/21/market-news-broiderie-at-villeneuve-davignon/
Town walks: Avignon is beautiful.
As we were leaving the campsite a young Japanese girl asked us information about Avignon and discovering that she was alone we invited her to join us. We slowly walked over the bridge across the Rhone into Avignon. Not THE bridge of course, that is only half a bridge, we were surprised to see! We [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 20/03/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/town-walks-avignon-is-beautiful/
Campsite news: good for Avignon
The nearest campsite for Avignon in southern France is Camping Bagatelle, which is on the other side of the River Rhone, opposite the Papal Palace. It is just a short walk. The bus stops are nearby too to take you either into the heart of Avignon, or in the opposite direction to other towns nearby. [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 19/03/2009
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/campsite-news-good-for-avignon/
Fun with a Sat Nav: this time Florence, Italy
By the beginning of May 2004 we found ourselves driving into Italy. My husband, Bernard, was most distressed to find that his navigator was telling us to go to the nearest road and was showing a blank screen. What could be wrong? Only that the programme he had in the machine was for England, France [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 10/05/2005
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2005/05/10/fun-with-a-sat-nav-this-time-florence-italy/
Motorhome Hints: always carry keys.
Bernard and I were usually pretty good about carrying keys on our body, either in a bag, in a pocket or hooked onto a belt. However on this occasion neither of us checked the other to see if this was so. We were on a campsite in Italy and Bernard had been sorting out the [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 19/05/2004
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2004/05/19/motorhome-hints-always-carry-keys/
Updating the Blog
A little of bit of a gap here … hang on just updating the journal…. check back in a few weeks/ months/ who knows…. Frances
Posted by Frances Platman on 01/05/2004
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2004/05/01/updating-the-blog/
Fun with the Sat Nav: snowy Rioja.
The navigator machine was completely baffled as we drove through snowy Rioja district, and kept telling us to go to the nearest road. Spain is busy building new roads everywhere and the route we were on was obviously a new road. In fact as we were driving parts of the road were not yet covered [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 07/03/2004
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2004/03/07/fun-with-the-sat-nav-snowy-rioja/
Motorhome scrapes: our poor damaged “Roller”
We were told that there was a market at Sagunto, just north of Valencia in Spain, a town which is famous for its Roman remains and that it was attacked by Hannibal in one of the first acts of war waged by Carthage on the Roman Empire. The market was in the port area and [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 28/02/2004
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2004/02/28/motorhome-scrapes-our-poor-damaged-roller/
Motorhome problems: trouble with the boiler.
On returning from England to Alicante, we collected our motorhome, from the long term parking, and it being late afternoon decided to wild camp for the night at San Paolo where we had been before. The rain was pouring down when we awoke and we were soon on our way to Valencia. Three campsites near [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 25/02/2004
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2004/02/25/motorhome-problems-trouble-with-the-boiler/
England again: twelve days of rushing around.
A busy twelve days were spent visiting family and friends, dealing with finance and being stuck in traffic jams. We visited the camping show at Birmingham, which was very interesting, and were stuck in an enormous traffic jam on the way back which was not. At the camping show we spoke to the British [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 13/02/2004
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2004/02/13/england-again-twelve-days-of-rushing-around/
Motorhome security: cautious wild camping.
The day was spent travelling after we had left the campsite at La Zubia near Granada. By the evening we were near to Elche, but not near enough and it was getting dark. We stopped at a service station, parked up and went into the café there. We were not happy with the look of [...]
Posted by Frances Platman on 11/02/2004
http://tortoisetales.wordpress.com/2004/02/11/motorhome-security-cautious-wild-camping/
About the Tortoise Tales
Slow travel in a motorhome throughout Europe by two adventurous pensioners.
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