Eating Out

Emeraude, Confolens

July 2016 We are getting our roof replaced and before the new one goes on, the attics are being sprayed to kill any wood-boring insects might be living in the timbers or are tempted to do so. There are certainly signs of wood-worm, death watch beetle and a few huge holes made by emerging capricorne chêne. There are traces of frass too indicating recent activity. The downside is that the poison used to erradicate the worms is none too pleasant for people either.

So we decided when this part of the work was to be done, we would take off for a holiday. Nowhere in particular, just generally explore the coastline perhaps around Royan.

We left it rather late to depart and decided to overnight in the Emeraude in Confolens. This gave us an opportunity to sample their evening restaurant - which turned out to be much better than expected.

Street cafe, Saintes

The next day we headed for Saintes where we wandered the streets testing one of the many crêperies before settling for a late meal in street restaurant.

We arrived at the coast near Royan and cruised the sea-side searching for something other than moules frites; we found something eventually but this was tourist country so none too elegant.

Our final rest stop was l'Hôtel de la Plage in Ronce-les-Bains; reputed to have one of the better restaurants in South-West France. We dined there on a dark, balmy evening with the sea crashing on the shore. A fabulous experience.

The next day we roughed it with an al freso lunch on the beach by Château-d'Oléron before heading homeward via Rochefort.