St Malo to Chalais

This year we decided to visit south west France and booked a property with swimming pool in Sud Charent close to the Dordogne border.
Our ferry was overnight from Portsmouth and we got great help from Brittany ferries staff both in boarding (car next to the lift) and general care.   The evening meal was excellent, the cabin was good and we slept well.
Next day we left the ship and followed satnav onto the main roads of France.   Once clear of the urban area the traffic was light and cruise control was engaged - at the speed limit!   On the major roads there are both service areas and picnic areas, so there were plenty of loos, should that matter.   It felt a long drive and this has been our experience later too.
Eventually, we arrived at Chalais and popped in Lidl (pronounced Leedle in France!) to get enough food and drink to cover the weekend.   Shortly afterwards we arrived at the house and discovered it to be everything we had hoped.   It is completely disabled friendly.   There is so much space to relax in and also organise meals.   Only the washing machine was a challenge.   We shall be the last to use it as a new one will be installed in 2015.
The swimming pool is a one piece version installed in a way that creates a very high last step out.   This has made it almost impossible for Pauline to get out as she cannot get her feet that high.   That is the only downside.   Poolside towels are included with the house which is another benefit.   The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and the family bathroom is huge and includes a roll top bath.   Both bathrooms are wet rooms and they work better than any wet room I have used.   the showers both have side water jets so you can have the spa effect whilst standing!
In Chalais there are numerous shops, an Intermarche supermarket with fuel station and a B & Q type store too.   There is a patisserie and a newsagent near the supermarket as well as bars with food available.
Our favourite local village is Aubeterre sur Dronne.   It has cobbled streets, an amazing underground church about 1,000 years old, a lovely square and the shops you expect for tourism.   The next blog, hopefully, will be about our trip to La Rochelle.