Monday, August 15, 2022

The PONettes quest.

The drive up from the nightmare in Angers to the cooler temperatures of Honfleur bumper to bumper busy but the traffic keeps flowing . It's absolute peak vacation season in Europe. After two years of Covid seclusion everyone and their dog is out and about on the roads. Amazingly, roadworks, that bane of  the French travellers life  are notable for their absence

The hotel for day three of the journey to Scotland nestled in a small valley five miles inland from the coast .The sort of post card Normandy village that the satnav has difficulty finding.'Do a U turn if you can' the accompanying and frequent refrain on the back roads from our ever cheerful electronic guide. We arrive early having set off from the heat while it was barely light. Comfort for Sophie and quieter autoroutes for the driver.

Although early The room is ready and we collect our key. The Font notices that there's a table out in the courtyard that's empty. We decide to leave unpacking until later and enjoy an impromptu Sunday lunch by a stream solid with brown trout. The table is near the kitchen which enables Sophie to practice her 'I'm an orphan girl that's never been fed ' routine. The kitchen staff are  having none of it. Eventuallyn the chef emerges and asks if the diva would like some lunch. A metal bowl of cold water appears followed in quick succession by a small pot of sauteed carrots topped with two small slices of lamb shoulder braised then roasted. Sophie's tail does that 'I have died and gone to heaven' beat that all our PONs have displayed at moments of life defining  culinary import.

Just as well we got to the hotel early. At the end of lunch two cars draw up carrying two German couples. The first car a very glossy and presumably mega expensive Lamborghini SUV. The second a slightly less glossy but very new looking four door Porsche. At reception there is a problem. The two couples have a reservation for the night. The hotel has no record of it. The sweet young receptionist is clearly still learning the ropes.The atmosphere goes from bucolic to Dante-esque inferno in seconds. The SUV driver bangs the desk, kicks the porters trolley and turns a shade of red that can't be healthy. Time for dog and owners to retire to their  room away from all this action. In the evening both couples appear at dinner. They're calmer although not necessarily politer to the staff. Curt can become plain  rude if not done right. Seems the owner has found then an AirBnB on the coast and is providing dinner gratis while it's cleaned. Sophie seems unaware of this human drama. For dinner she gets roast salmon and rice.  The PONette's quest for heaven has come true.







16 comments:

Charlotte said...

Lovely room.

WFT Nobby said...

I am wondering where the stairs lead. And have the titanium legs attempted an ascent?

Diary of a Nobody said...

What a lovely room and a very lucky diva .
Obviously no one has ever told the German couples good manners cost nothing .

Coppa's girl said...

I trust that Sophie was satisfied with her bed?

Teena and Lala said...

Ah good. Miss Sophie looks like a very happy PON today.

I trust your lunch was as good?

waterdog said...

I am so happy that you are keeping all your blog-ees informed of your progress. Thank you.
Surely you don’t believe the proprietor would have given away your reserved room to these ‘invaders’!?!
So glad that Sophie and her travel companions have found more comfortable temperatures.
Onward…..JoAnn in Maryland

Paule Caillou said...

ouf !il va faire autour de 13 degres celcius toute la semaine du cote d
inverness;preparez vos petites laines amis humains,pour sophie, pas de souci,

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Lordy, one imagines a combo of Anger Management Man and German Billionaire melting down in a single scene! May the remainder of the tip have less melodrama. YAM xx

William Schmitt said...

The great trek continues! Sorry the Chateau de Noirieux didn’t work out, as they have a nice website. Outside of the drama, seems like the Normandy hotel quite nice, and going out of their way to help the Krauts.

Jake of Florida said...

Your itinerary is so clever. Home is beckoning.

Virginia said...

In these days of instant internet connection, the Lamborghini owner should have been able to ring up their confirmation email instantly ….not the hotel's error, methinks! I’m guessing Sophie slept on the lower level, while you were on the mezzanine, n’est pas?

Travel said...

I have found being kind gets me farther than being angry. If I had a tail, I would have had the same response to lunch. Lucky dog.

Lisa in France said...

Sophie seems to be a natural traveler, and one with a sophisticated palate! I am amazed that the two of you managed to plan this itinerary in the midst of your very high-speed downsizing and move.

Bailey Bob Southern Dog said...

How wonderful you arrived early for your accommodations today! Sorry about the drama. May you have a good night’s sleep. Sophie will be dreaming of the magic that appeared in her bowl twice!

sillygirl said...

Will Sophie expect these sorts of accommodations from now on?

Maudie said...

Thank goodness for the cooler temperatures.