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The Interesting Car Club

 

 

 

Our much talked about and long-awaited ICC weekend away was here. Kay, Paul, Vanessa, David, Sav, Angela, Pete and Charlotte arrived at hotel, "Villa Caroline” La Baule. We met up for late afternoon drinks on the hotel terrace, which overlooked the beautiful beach. We were all in good spirits and all looking forward to a great weekend.

 

After enjoying a buffet dinner in the hotel restaurant, we went for an evening stroll along the promenade to the “port de pleasance”. Exercise that was well needed and repeated on the second evening.

 

Our first activity on Saturday morning took us to the port of La Turballe. Here, we joined the tourist train with its running commentary. It took us around the well-tended and highly regarded salt marshes that date back to well before Roman times. Our journey continued through the Foret de Pen Bron. At the Pointe de Pen Bron, we had a brief stop and a walk right to the end to admire the view over the estuary to Batz sur Mer. Jacques our driver did a very good job.

 

Back in Turballe, we were all happy to stay together and eat lunch in one of the many local brasseries overlooking the pretty marina. Fish and chips, moules à la Crème, salads & steaks were all delicious.

 

 

On Saturday afternoon, some chose to visit the shops, cafés & church in the walled city of Guerande, whilst others chose to visit the "Porte St Michel" museum and explore the Ramparts. Our English-speaking guide that day was Cameron, a friendly Australian, who is passionate about the local history bringing it all to life, so much so, a young French couple Stephan and Aude were happy to join our group with the English commentary.

 

This was followed by welcome light refreshments of ice-creams and drinks. After an enjoyable and informative day, we headed back to the hotel for drinks on the terrace (rude not to). An interesting dinner with an intense debate over the ingredients of the starter, followed by a walk along the promenade and down to the port.

 

 

Sunday morning was already upon us, we split into three groups. Some of us wanting to watch the local hill climb, some walking into the town of La Baule, to visit the beautiful shops and local market. The others just to enjoy a relaxing morning looking over the beach and out to sea.
Lunch for some was at a beachfront restaurant for a tasty seafood or burgers.

 

In the afternoon Kay and Paul, Sav and Angela met up at the Le Grand Blockhaus. This is a WW2 German bunker, located at Batz-Sur-Mer. It was originally painted to look like an ordinary house with its false roof and painted windows. Today it houses a museum, focusing on the Nazi activity in St Nazaire and surrounding areas. Many, many artefacts are on display have either been found or donated by French, British, American and even German families. We were met by Debbie, who runs a VW camper club in Belfast and she arrived that morning for a break with her husband and their dog.

 

Our weekend gave us the opportunities to eat superb local food, whether it be sumptuous seafood, fresh fish, standard steaks or bumper burgers. Aperos on the hotel terrace, overlooking the promenade and gorgeous beach, evening strolls, chatting and laughing whilst basking in the May sunshine and clear blue skies.

 

Our fun weekend finished towards the end of the afternoon, with us all going our own ways.

 

Lastly, we would like to thank the attentive staff of the Villa Carolina Hotel.

 

- Jean Luc, our table waiter, who was convinced that the vegetable terrine of carrots, cauliflower & spinach was actually salmon. He kept going back to the kitchen to pronounce “yes it is salmon” After his 4th visit he came back and declared “yes indeed it is Spinach, Cauliflower and Carrots”!! The ensuing laughter from our table, had the other guests wondering what in heavens were the British up to!

- The bar staff, to whom nothing was too much trouble, bringing us drinks out to the terrace.

 

- The welcoming receptionists, Charlotte and Anna, guiding us through the "beeper" to operate the hotel car park barriers.

 

By all accounts it was a successful weekend away. We are all looking forward to the next ICC Adventure.

 

Many thanks to Angela for the text & taking the photos. Also to Salvatore for adding the photos to the text!

 

Kay