OK so maybe not lost exactly, I knew where I was, but lost in the joy of a brief trip with unexpectedly spring like weather in February.
We were getting away from the grey of the UK for a couple of days though while we were hoping for weather a bit nicer than at home we were really surprised by how much better it was!
What could be more uplifting than waking up in the French countryside with sunlight streaming through the windows, the river outside sparkling and the birds singing.
The crisp air on the way to the bakery, the wonderful treats awaiting inside and the journey back with armfuls of warm baguette! Well I certainly was lost in all of that I can tell you!
We were staying in the small town of Mansle on the Charente in mid-west France. I’ve been here a few times as I have family here now, but it wasn’t an area that I’d really heard of. My Tricolor French textbook at school was mostly based around La Rochelle but I had no idea where that was as I always thought of France as being broadly split into three parts, Calais, Paris, South of France.
It is not to be underestimated though as it is a lovely area. Just north of Bordeaux, itself a beautiful city, and the wine region that surrounds it. There are many lovely villages and small towns to be explored as you criss cross the Charente.
Verteuil-sur-Charente with it’s stunning Chateau plus a church which houses an amazing Terracotta “tableau” of the laying out of Jesse Christ. A few small bistro type restuarants and a wine “cave” with a roaring fire which was pretty difficult to leave.
Then there is Confolens, with it’s pretty riverside park and the terminus for the great fun Velo-Rail to La Gare, this is a must do if you’re in the area but be warned, it’s harder work than you think!
Kayaking or paddle boarding along the River is a relaxing way to watch the landscape pass by and if you’re lucky you might spot the blue flash of a Kingfisher speeding past you.
Of course all this exploring is bound to make you hungry and thirsty and so what could be nicer than a trip to a French supermarket to pick up a few essentials (by which I mean a few cheeses, a few bottles of wine and a few loaves of bread) and making a meal of them.
So a brief trip this time but one that made us feel a bit more alive!
Work, travel, save, repeat 