The return Journey

Much planning went into the return journey , I set off from Marbella , very sad at leaving I might add because it had been the most amazing 6 weeks which I will talk about again . Jackie introduced me to a travel writer called Alistair Sawdays and I ordered his books on amazon on interesting and quirky places to stay in France and Spain so I headed off for my first nightstop which was Toledo , I had booked a 700 year old mansion that had been built for Cardinal Lorenzana which was built into the city walls , courtyards and pathways fountains , trees vines and a restaurant with seating under the stars , excellent waiting staff and a really interesting bedroom , a must for would be Toledo travellers . Tour of the city which sits high on a hill , exactly as you would expect from an old spanish city steeped in history , extremely narrow cobbled streets and magnificent buildings , photo s to follow . I had decided that Segovia was a lunch stop so I drove about 160 k to the most spectacularly sited city in Spain , it sits high on a rocky spur and the Aqueduct which was built at the end of the first century AD   by the romans and believe it or not was still in use until the late 19th century is just staggering , built without mortar , blocks upon blocks upon blocks .. google it . A very pleasant lunch walking tour of the city , winding cobbled streets and shady squares . worth a visit . From there I decided to take on 500 k and head straight for San Sebastian again , I booked a hotel on one of the 3 city beaches with a great view over the bay . Much walking later the gastronomic capital of northern Spain allowed me to sample their excellent tapas in one of the many bars , such fun I might add . Tour of the city , the harbour , parked myself at a table on a beautiful square and watched the world go by . Off to the Irish bar Kitty O sheas ( I think ) couple of drinks lots of chat , I was a happy girlie whirlie ! 2 nights here and off to France . The Aquitaine  region is an area that I adore in France and it was a must visit yet again  , so found a superb hotel , believe it or not on a golf course , in the coastal area known as Biscarosse . Much sleep and I drove through the endless forests of the Lande region . Next stop was La Rochelle , actually the island off La Rochelle known as Ile de re , a 3 km toll bridge joins it to the mainland , I dont think I have ever seen more authentic french  villages , I hired  a bike and cycled along the coast from one village to the next , stopping along the way to have prawns in a fish yard and a glass of champagne , (dont do the oysters unforunately )with the fishermen ! Beautiful hotel on the beach again dinner in the cute little port , how happy was I ?!!!

Next day was the last leg , to Cherbourg which was tough enough as it never stopped raining , ferry on time suite booked .

 I had done it for the third time , this amazing journey and was just so sad it was over for another year ! Roll on next year !!!!Photos to follow 

the last leg

So Madrid was done , tour , as in big red bus , little stop for drinkies and very nice restaurant for dinner . We set off at a very early hour and decided it was non stop to Marbella , approx 500 k . Lizzie was there to meet us as were all my kids plus all of Sj s friends . It was just great to get there again , the sun was shining 30 deg ... bliss . Now at this point I have to get Jackie and Emer to add a post each to the blog so watch this space !