To France, and on to Loire

Thursday, 27th February 2020

A leisurely morning, and we leave, Ferry Meadows CAMC Site (N52.56053, W0.30593), just before 12:00. 

Another easy day of driving, with no major hold-ups.

This in part due to the McCaffery refusal to obey instructions. As we head south on the A1(M), the overhead signs are telling us, M11 closed due to an accident between J12 and J11. Kathleen decides to ignore this, and sides with the Sat-Nav as it directs us onto the M11. It would appear, most people obeyed the signs, the M11 is almost empty of traffic, and, there is no sign of an accident or a road closure.

We are booked on the 20:30 shuttle, but, arrive way too early at 15:30. 

As usual, we are offered an earlier crossing, but, with a sting in the tale, we can go one hour earlier (19:20), for no additional charge, or, we can go straight on, at 15:45, but, that will cost an ADDITIONAL £120, since our original booking cost only £108, we decline this generous(?) offer.

We park in the waiting area, beside the terminal, and spend the time eating our evening meal and browsing the Tunnel construction exhibits. For once, the terminal building is quiet, and clean, very impressive.

Remembering that France is one hour ahead of the UK, we disembark from the shuttle at 21:00 French time.

The original plan is to drive to the Aire at Wissant (about 40 miles away), but, Kathleen is anxious about staying somewhere which is an unknown quantity to her. A quick rethink, the co-ordinates for the Aire at Neufchatel-en-Bray (N49.73781 E1.42803) are entered into the Sat-Nav and, unusually for us, after the free section of the A16 south, we take the toll section from Boulogne-our-Mer, to arrive at Neufchatel-en-Bray shortly before midnight, having done  292 miles today.

The Neufchatel-en-Bray Aire is operated by the same chap who owns Camping St Claire. As Aires go, it is a trifle expensive at 12Euro, but, it has automated barrier entry (allowing to arrive/leave at any time of day), with pay on exit, Marked hard standing bays, each with Electric hook up, free Wifi, Service point, washing machines, toilets and shower.

Friday, 28th February 2020

Neufchatel-en-Bray is a favourite of ours, we briefly think of lingering here for a few days, but, the weather is poor, 1C, thick frost, and forecast for rain.

Instead, today, we make for a stop-over we have used before, en-route to Spain, Montoire-sur-Loir. (N47 45' 27.5" E0 52' 10.4"). 

We stop off for lunch at an Aire in Bonneval (N48.17953
W1.3889). It is a pleasant small town, and, would probably be a suitable night stop, in an emergency, but, the promised EHU is no where in evidence, and the service point has seen better days. There is a clean and functional toilet.

On arrival, at Montoire-sur-Loir, we find the service point is not working, no water, no electricity.

A quick search on "SearchforSite", turns up an Aire at St

Calais, about 15 miles away. The co-ordinates take us to a pleasant lakeside location, exactly as described, unfortunately, there are high barriers in place, so, we cannot enter. Instead, we find an alternative at St Calais (N47 55'27" E0 44' 41"), not terribly scenic, but, quiet, safe, with service point, and, two working EHU points. 

Wednesday, 26th February 2020 - on our way

Family events (first grand-daughter's wedding), mean we are leaving on our annual European Trip, later than usual.

The weather in the UK has been appalling, thanks to Storm Denis. It would appear from the news that half the country is under water, although, here on Tyneside, we seem to have escaped the worst of it, a lot of strong winds and rain.

But, Monday 17th Feb 2020 is mild and dry, so, Lawns are cut and garden tidied, ready for someone (Claire?) to look after things in our absence, it should be a month or two, before the grass begins growing in earnest.

Tuesday 18th Feb, another dry day, so, packing continues, bicycles etc secured in rear Garage. 

Kathleen is socialising with her "school friends" (all in their 70's now, so, no longer wearing their school uniforms!).

Wednesday 19th February through Saturday. 22nd Feb are taken up with "last minute essential tasks", prior to wedding, and departure:

•  hair "do" etc., not for me, I hasten to add ;) .
•  lunch with sisters, for a last minute gossip, and complain about how easy men have life.
•  wedding and following days hangover 

The original intention was to go via Windsor, and visit Gary,Susana, Gabriel and Salma. But, because of the dreadful weather our first stop-over option, Liquid Leisure (N51.474581 W0.559103) is waterlogged and not accepting Motorhomes, and, our second choice Queens Acre CS (N51.4903 W0.6819), is not contactable.

So, with regret, we will have to give Windsor a miss, and call on our way home, at the end of this trip.

We have bright sunshine, but, frost and only 1C, as we do. final preparations, and set off.

195 uneventful miles, to arrive at Ferry Meadows CAMC Site (N52.56053, W0.30593).

Still bright sunshine, and 7C, when we arrive, so, a pleasant walk around the Nene Valley Park, to stretch the legs after driving.