Normandy – Day Four – Argentan.

After several days of glorious sunshine , it was almost inevitable that we would have rain today. I think that it had been raining in the night as the bench I sit and compile the blog on needed a wipe clean and as I sat putting yesterday’s words of wisdom together a few fresh spots of rain hit my screen. This turned to a rather heavy shower. This was not a total disaster as everyone made their way to the play barn to take part in a number of games including table-tennis and fuss ball. A brilliant facility at the cottages.

The rain lasted an hour or so and made everything fresh, including the flowers that Tyson was smelling.

The Robbinses decided to go South to find something to eat while the Hewitts re-visited Falaise. After a drive through some country roads via Trun we arrived at Argentan the birthplace of Eleanor of Aquitaine. We quickly found car parking spaces albeit next to a mad Frenchman who was telling us that his car seat was too low as he had a bad back. I know, it didn’t make any sense to us either.

We walked through a small market where Diarra bought sunglasses and Poppy a Noddy [or Oui-Oui as he is known locally] ball and bat. Eating establishments were a little sparse, the first one we entered had a dirty floor so we finally settled for a pizza. It was actually a really good choice as they were very welcoming to the children, in fact Joseph kept winking at the waitress. They start early in the Shingler family!!

After a detour to the hyper market to pick up even more cakes for tonight's meal we made our way back to the cottages. This time Sylvia’s navigation took us through smaller villages and narrower lanes getting a good impression of the local scenery.

The late afternoon meant the customary swimming session for most of the housemates and Poppy decided to give it a go with her Auntie Helena.

Meanwhile Joseph  decided on the much more leisurely pursuit of wheelbarrow riding.

 

This area of Normandy is famous for apples and the drinks made from the fruit are a speciality. I grew up in Herefordshire, England’s greatest cider making area and due to an experience in my teens [for another time] I haven't tried the drink for many years. The cider here though is less strong, only 2%, and is therefore a very pleasant and refreshing drink. The same can not be said for the other apple based product , Calvados. This is a very strong spirit which we sampled for the first time today. It tasted in my opinion like a cross between paint stripper and meths but with none of the finesse. I won’t be sampling that again.