I'd like a French chateau please
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382068)
Rockingham, Australia
July 2, 2017 1:43am CST
Last night we stayed at Camping du Gurp, a campsite run by the local municipality. These municipal campsites are idea for us. Some offer basic facilities; others are little more than a safe place to stay but the price reflects the facilities.
The site is north of Bordeaux on the peninsula between the La Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. It was recommended by a young couple we met at Chateau Carmenbere at a wine-tasting. There were only the four of us there but we tasted some nice wines and were shown around the winery.
This was in the Medoc region where there are very many chateaux and the photo shows one of them. Most seem to be involved in producing wine. The one we visited had a fancy name but not a fancy chateau. But the wines were very nice and we enjoyed some with our dinner last night.
The young people (he was German, she was Swedish) come here for the surfing and might travel to Australia one day. Who knows? Perhaps they’ll end up couch-surfing with us.
I find it hard to believe the size of the some of the camping places here. There are 949 sites here, all interspersed among pine trees. About a third have access to electricity – and the men’s urinals don’t have doors.
17 people like this
16 responses
@xFiacre (14784)
• Ireland
2 Jul 17
@JudyEv I do this on my wife's behalf. She would feel utterly violated if she happened upon a gentleman peeing freely and would perhaps berate and even acost him for being so offensive. I don't know how we managed to survive a year in Paris without major mishap.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (98005)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Jul 17
That is interesting. Lovely chateau but I prefer comfy and cozy cabins with electricity, fireplace and small but descent bathroom. Hope you enjoy your stay.
3 people like this
@topffer (42155)
• France
2 Jul 17
Maybe because somebody needed a door
. Seriously, usually there are doors in bathrooms, and no doors in vespasiennes, but vespasiennes tend to disappear since many years, Paris has kept only one as a souvenir. I suppose these urinals are following the vespasienne model. There is an interesting vespasienne mounted on wheels in a theater play by Pagnol, Topaze : a local politician places a vespasienne in front of various restaurants and shops, and as soon as he is bribed to make it disappear, the vespasienne goes in front of another shop. Ingenious.
. Seriously, usually there are doors in bathrooms, and no doors in vespasiennes, but vespasiennes tend to disappear since many years, Paris has kept only one as a souvenir. I suppose these urinals are following the vespasienne model. There is an interesting vespasienne mounted on wheels in a theater play by Pagnol, Topaze : a local politician places a vespasienne in front of various restaurants and shops, and as soon as he is bribed to make it disappear, the vespasienne goes in front of another shop. Ingenious.2 people like this
@topffer (42155)
• France
2 Jul 17
@LadyDuck I had to look on her profile as I did not saw this post. I do not see anything wrong with this urinal, they are often aligned by 4 or 5, this one is discrete
. I like your vespasiennes, they are looking like a Roman antiquity
. I would bet it was from the Mussolini Era.
. I like your vespasiennes, they are looking like a Roman antiquity. I would bet it was from the Mussolini Era.2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502448)
• Italy
2 Jul 17
@topffer We had vespasiennes in Milan when I was a kid and of course they had no doors, but were a lot more discrete than the photo that July posted yesterday. I join a photo of the old "vespasiani" and I thought that it would have been better not to remove them, at least the tourists would have used then instead than urinate on the monuments.
We had vespasiennes in Milan when I was a kid and of course they had no doors, but were a lot more discrete than the photo that July posted yesterday. I join a photo of the old "vespasiani" and I thought that it would have been better not to remove them, at least the tourists would have used then instead than urinate on the monuments.2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Jul 17
Your "new" chateau offers plenty of green and space for Herc to roam around in.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43595)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Jul 17
They always show these things during the Tour de France. And I always think the same thing each time: "Gee. That must suck living there."
2 people like this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
3 Jul 17
Fantastic from the outside of it.
Its a bit big for me but if they gave me it I would live in it too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 17
Beggars can't be chosers can they? And don't look a gift horse in the mouth - isn't that what they say?
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
2 Jul 17
Look at that place!!! I always wonder about haunted but they are so enchanting.
Yes I have been places where there were no doors on the urinals.
Yes I have been places where there were no doors on the urinals.1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
3 Jul 17
@JudyEv Its gorgeous Judy. You will have such beautiful memories.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 17
@TiarasOceanView Today we've travelled through pine forests and agricultural land. I've taken two photos and Vince none. Tomorrow should be better.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24004)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul 17
There are some many beautiful locations to hitch up overnight. You are certainly making the most of your visit.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
3 Jul 17
My feet hurt too much to want to live in a huge place like that. Unless of course I had some good-looking muscular guys to transport me in one of those uncovered litter chairs from room to room. Oh, and a swimming pool. I'd want a pool to cool my feet off in.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
3 Jul 17
@JudyEv I like those scooters! I use them now and then at the grocery store. But the chateau looks as if it has stairs! Now where did I put those good-looking guys with the litter!?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 17
@blitzfrick I'd need to insert lifts or do you call them elevators?
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
3 Jul 17
I would love to be riding with you guys. Love the photo.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 17
It's pretty bumpy sometimes on the back roads - but there are two spare seats! 
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 17
I enjoy writing about the things we're seeing. It's nice to share.
@Marilynda1225 (91086)
• United States
2 Jul 17
I'd imagine you'd have a person to help with the cleaning of such a huge place Glad you're enjoying your camping adventures
Glad you're enjoying your camping adventures1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 17
I'd have maids and a gardener at least. I was going to say a cook but I've already got one of those.
