2008, Day Twelve, Houlgate

Day twelve 12th June.

Our last day in Houlgate and the sun is still shining, we all had a walk in to town to get ingredients for a final barbecue.

 We played pooh sticks again, went to the park and had ice lollies (Emily had two she dropped the first one and it was like the end of the world). Emily also had a nasty fall from her scooter on the way back and I had to give her a piggyback the rest of the way to the site.

Dot and I had a walk to the Municipal campsite to check it out, just it case we are back this way again, it was basic but acceptable and a lot less money than Camping De La Vallee.

When we got back to the site Tim and the girls were flying a kite they had just got from the site shop, well until it broke that is. That evening we had our final barbeque, the others had one more night but me and Dot were moving on in the morning.

2008, Day Nine, Houlgate

Day nine 9th June.
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At last the sun came out, so we spent a nice welcome hot day in and around the pool.  The new slides weren't open so I asked the guy at the takeaway why, the answer was simple, if they turn the water on to them in the morning, it cools the pool, on the afternoon when the sun is on the slides it warms the pool.  On the afternoon the slides opened as promised and we spent hours on them (the grownups taking shifts on the slides).

 

As we had had a tiring day and nobody could be bothered to cook, we all went over to the bar for tea, as long as you do not drink too much, the price is quite reasonable.

 

Back at the chalet, we watched some football (as we have most nights) with a couple of beers but it's not the same when none of the home nations are in it, especially England.

2008, Day Eight, Houlgate

Day Eight 8th June.

It was a relatively cold overcast day, so we all had a walk into town but by the time we managed to get six adults, two four year olds and a picnic ready, it was getting on for lunch time before we set off. On the way down we had to cross over a stream and of course that meant playing Pooh sticks so by the time we reached the park and playground it was time to eat.

Next we made our way to beach and on the beach and for the first time in three visits to Houlgate the tide was in, it is usually quite a long hike to the sea. It wasn't a warm day but not unexpectedly the girls still wanted to play in the sea, dig in the sand and collect sea shells. Even though it was cold, everyone still wanted an ice-cream (its what Brits do by the seaside) and the choice of flavours was impressive, it took as long to choose as it did to eat them.

Back at the campsite the girls insisted on going to the pool while I prepared the evening meal. The pool it is heated so if you stay it the water it's ok but very cold when you are out.

That evening, after a superb meal (remember who made it), we had a game of rounder's (softball) on the football pitch opposite the chalet.

2008, Day Seven, Houlgate

Day seven 7th June

It was about eight before the others arrived, they could not check in until two but we knew that so they came over to our van, the girls were wide awake as they had slept most of the way but the others were very tired.  Reception would not let them bring the car in site, I have no idea why, we had plenty of room on our pitch anyway they had to leave it in the car park.

By dinnertime the weather was improving and the tired ones were starting to cheer up that was until the went to check in.  Even though we knew the chalet they were going in, the lady on reception could not find a booking for them, when she eventually did and after Nicole had paid, she demanded a €360 deposit for breakages.  This was not mentioned in any communication we had had with them and after a lot of heated discussion Nicole left a credit card number with them but no cash.

 

We spent the rest of the day on the site, with the girls playing on the different playgrounds that evening we had a takeaway from the bar.  Tim and I went up to order and we had a beer in the bar while we waited, the takeaway was good, the site is great, its just some of the people that run it that aren't.