Saturday, June 14, 2014 (Le Mans, France)

Bill woke up early and found his way to the local village Boulangerie/Patisserie and bought pastries for breakfast. (BTW… As soon as Linda discovered that two of them were chocolate, she ate them both!)

After breakfast we checked out of our hotel and headed for La Mans. It was about two hours through the French countryside until we reached Le Mans, and discovered that the town was mostly deserted and surprisingly quiet. We had pizza on one of the quiet streets of the old town and then wandered up to the old cathedral.

The town was getting ready for the finish of Le Mans.....

We drove and walked around for a bit and then decided to use TomTom to take us to our countryside B&B by way of a tour of the Race Museum.

Well, Tom took us alright, by the most direct route just as he was supposed to, but nobody bothered to tell Tom that the Le Mans 24 hour race was in progress. Tom took us right out of that sleepy town into a mass of 250 thousand people just a mile or so away that were all there for the race! It seems that the Le Mans 24 Hour race is run on real roads in and around the town and Tom saw no reason why we couldn’t use the same roads to get to our destination. Also, the famous car museum was the race track entrance so needless to say….no way to enter museum!

We ran through several reserved parking areas (for which we obviously had no pass), around roadblocks intended to keep sane people out, and at one point came within a few feet of actually entering the race in our rental car, but were advised by some very nice but puzzled gate attendants to turn around and try another way.

After about an hour of this, we came to a complete impasse. The way ahead was completely blocked, the way to the left was a cul-de-sac, and the way behind… I don’t have to tell you that going back was NOT an option. So we finally defied Tom and went the exact opposite of what he wanted for several miles, until he finally gave up telling us to turn around and rerouted us off into the countryside and away from the racecourse, eventually, of course getting us to our final destination, which turned out to be a 900 year old French castle, complete with a real moat with swans. Don’t believe me? Check out the pictures, they are for real!

Jim.and Steve..check out the cars in the parking lot with us!!

That evening after meeting our hosts,  getting settled in our room, touring the 18 acres on which the castle sat, we were directed to a nearby town with a restaurant recommended by our hosts. We sat outside and were having a little trouble with the only French menu until the owner/chef came to our table to interpret and make recommendations.  Dinner was REMARKABLE!! 

The most exquisite scallops I have ever eaten!

After dinner it was getting a little cool so we moved inside for dessert and drinks, and there we met couple from the North of England (who sounded for all the world like they were from Scotland) who had driven their Porsche Carrera down to watch the race. We had a great time discussing cars, customs, and finally politics with them for several hours before finally returning to our castle for some rest.

Sunday, June 15, 2014 (St. Pair-Au-Sur, Normandy, France)

The following morning we had breakfast with a couple from Germany who had come for the race.  They traveled about 1200 miles in twelve hours...no speed limits in Germany!!  When they left a couple from New Zealand joined us and we talked racing for the next two hours.  He races his BMW in New Zealand.

They invited us to visit them in New Zealand.

Then we were off to St Pair-Au-Sur, and with Tom’s help found the Schrader home without any trouble. We were welcomed and introduced to everyone including Jacque & Michelle (Lawrence’s parents); Chris, Lawrence, Oliver and brand new Margeax; Pascal and Claudia Schrader (Lawrence’s Brother and sister in law) and their almost 2 year old son, Logan; and another couple (Lawrence’s best girlfriend) who spoke only French, and left rather soon after we arrived.

Pascal gave Bill the tour of the house and grounds, and showed us to our room. We stowed our gear and walked to beach with the entire family or, more accurately, the family took off to the beach leaving Jacque and Bill behind. While we attempted to follow them to the beach, Jacque gave me the highlights of the area, including the tremendous tides that go out several miles, and can come back in at the speed of a galloping horse. (at least according to popular legend… Jacques says it does come in fast, but he can out walk it).

We returned to the house where Michelle made a delicious dinner for us all and we drank wine and enjoy the company until quite late.

Monday, June 16, 2014 (St. Pair-Au-Sur, Normandy, France)

Coffee and croissants for breakfast, play with the children and visited with the family in the morning. After lunch we all piled into the cars and drove to Granville to walk the town. 

Through the water front, up onto the wall ramparts of the city, then back through town for some shopping and ice cream. We saw it all! Then we returned home and Michelle once again cooked a delicious dinner.