A very good, typically French breakfast of ham, cheeses, breads, pastries plus eggs, bacon & sausages, saw us away by 07:45. There followed a slightly tedious drive through boring French countryside with two stops for refreshments. Red Dragon also provided teas and coffees on board at very sensible prices.

Richard (our courier) felt fewer, shorter stops were the best plan to have an earlier arrival time. Very sensible.

He was right. The stops totalled 75 minutes and we arrived at the hotel at 16:00. We’re used to 19:00-ish first night arrivals. Time to unpack and settle in before dinner is so much better.

The hotel is Best Western Plus. The ground floor room we were allocated was a “standard” room; a good size, clean and well equipped and had an outside terrace with seating. Apart from a typically grumpy French receptionist, the hotel was a very good standard (again, better than what we’ve usually experienced).

We were in luck at dinner. Our table of eight was very good company; good chat and conversation, which enhanced a first class evening meal.

Menu:

Salad Nicoise; Poached Sea Bass, Provençal Vegetables; Isles Flotant.