The start of our camping holiday. Since arriving in France nearly 2 years ago we haven't had a break and we thought we all needed a holiday. We decided this week we would not accept any bookings, get a house sitter to look after the chickens, goose and goat and manage the watering etc. All the guests left promptly and we managed a record changeover, all cleaned and ready for the following week by 12:30.

Quick lunch, finished packing the car (most of the tenting equipement, bikes etc. had already been packed the night before) and we left by 1pm. Caroline asked her friends where the French go camping and based on her recommendation we decided on Les Sables D'Olonne in the Vendée.

Arrived late afternoon, it's about three hours drive south of us on the Alantic coast just before La Rochelle.

The architectural changes were the most notable. Once we passed Nantes most of the houses went from 2 & 2 storey stone and slate roofs, to white/cream single storey with red clay 'half-pipe' tiles. It's quite a difference and makes you feel like you are in a different country.

Pitching the tents was comical (the last time we went camping was at Le Mans to watch the 24 hour race about 7 years ago). A few false starts and collapses and we finally pitched, and (being English) got the kettle on. There was only one other tent on the site, all the other camping pitches (about 50) where empty. Further up the site (near the swimming pool, bar, etc.) were all the mobil homes, and 'permanent' tents for package tours. Luxury, we had the shower and toilet block to ourselves.