A light hearted and (I hope) amusing record of some of our Campervan Trips.
It is mainly intended to inform friends and family where we are, plus, to keep our children updated on what is happening to their inheritance.
I do try to include details of Camp Sites and Aires, we visit. Checkout the "labels" listed in the right margin,
Please comment if you feel inclined, at least then I know I am not talking to myself (again).
Tuesday, 18th April 2017 The forecast for Benicassim today is 22C and sunny. Although we leave just after 8:00, before the sun is fully above the hills, no reason to suppose it will be wrong.
But, we are heading slowly home, starting today. North along the coast, towards Peniscola, the only problem is that Spanish road building is ahead of our Sat-Nav map updates, and, the N340 is no longer as our SatNav thinks it is, roundabouts have disappeared, to be replaced by fly-overs and new exits. We therefore have to guess the point at which we turn off to head inland toward Leida. But, just as with our experience on our way here, the traffic is generally light, and, the roads excellent. The plan is to stop just short of the Bielsa Tunnel, at Bielsa Town, but, we are there way ahead of schedule, and decide to keep going, through the tunnel, to our alternative stopping off point, St Lary Soulan, in France.
The approach to the tunnel is mostly good quality road, although some sections are a bit uneven, presumably due to wear and tear from the heavy wagons. The scenery is quite stunning.
The tunnel itself is an anti-climax, contrary to what I had read on the internet, from various sources, the road surface is good, the tunnel well lit, if a bit narrow. There were no signs to explain why, but, for some reason, they were only allowing the traffic through in short bursts, and, one way at a time.
The descent on the French side, is, either scenic, or scary, depending on your point of view. I have video, but, not enough data band width to upload it at present, a snapshot, showing one of the many hairpin bends, will have to do for now. Tunnel and descent. I have to admit, drops of several hundred feet, with no safety barrier, and, a distinct smell of hot brake pads, is shall we say, exciting.
We eventually arrive, after 290 miles, at the Aire at St Lary Soulan (N42 49.348' E0 19.397'), our stopping place for the night. Compared to the temperatures we have been used to for the past few weeks, it is distinctly cool, at only 14C. We even have to have the heating on in the morning.
Monday, 27th February 2017. A dull and cool morning. When we come to pay (it is all automated, ticket on the way in, present ticket to machine, pay on exit), we find the charging structure is not quite as we had been led to believe. We thought it was 7Euro for twenty four hours, but, it is 7Euro for the twenty four hours 08:30 - 08:30. We arrived at about 16:30 (part way through a twenty four hour period) and, we are leaving at 09:00, which is in the NEXT twenty four hour period, so, we have to pay 14Euro! For that price, we could have stayed on a site, with full facilities! I doubt we will be back.
So we leave Poitiers Futurscope (N46 39.813' : E0 22.094'), 14Euro lighter, and head for Mont de Marsan (N43 54.146' : W0 31.186'), an Aire, supposedly with EHU and Toilets. Well, we find the Aire, but, no EHU, no Toilets and no water. Since it is "only" 14:00, we decide to head nearer to the Somport Tunnel and set the Sat-Nav for Oloron Sainte Marie (N43 11.032' : W0 36.511'). Approximately 280miles later, we arrive at Oloron Sainte Marie. Fortunately, the Aire at Oloron Sainte Marie is exactly as described. Marked spaces for 7 Vans, (with a maximum stay of 48 hours) but, eventually with 11 present! Surprisingly. most of them are Brits. The Aire is virtually in the town, Kathleen has a break from cooking, and we find a little bar serving food. Despite the fact the Aire is just off the road, and, is in town, it is surprisingly quiet.
Tuesday 28th February, 2017 A mild but dull morning.
We are away early, 08:00, the thought being to get along the much hyped approach to the Somport Tunnel, before the traffic builds up, with the intention of making Benicassim, today (approximately 340 miles). What an anti-climax, true, the road is twisty and narrow, and, you have to be alert for the occasional articulated truck hurtling down the gradient from Spain, but, there are no difficult bits and no significant gradients. The road on the Spanish side of the tunnel is even better, almost motorway standard dual carriageway for most of the journey, and, very light traffic. Plus, the road is almost empty, in both directions. The Somport Tunnel is fairly new (built around 2003), and it shows, well lit, and well signed. According to Google, it is the longest road tunnel in the Pyrenees at 5.3 miles long. It cost 251Million Euro to build, which seems pretty reasonable to me, as these things go!
Eventually, we arrive at Bonterra Park, Benicassim, at about 17:00, a long day, but, the sky is blue, the sun is shining!
This is not going to be a very exciting post, for the next few days we are going to be travelling almost continually. Our last day in the UK, for a couple of months starts with a wet morning but, eventually "improves" to be bloody freezing, with only occasional rain.
We leave Chertsey C&CC site and make our way along the southern M25 to Canterbury, New Dover Road Park and Ride. Being the dutiful husband, I have checked out the Mass times in Canterbury, so, that is Kathleen occupied for the evening. If there is anything in this Religion "game", and or course, assuming the Catholics are the "chosen ones", then I should be sitting pretty, having ensured Kathleen can always attended Mass. The route from Canterbury to the Channel Tunnel check-in is, shall we say, "interesting", a real cross country route. But, as usual the check-in is slick, and, we are soon on the 11:30, heading for Calais. Out of the tunnel and 65 miles to the Aire at Baie de Somme. The Aire is on the Toll section, so, we have to pay the toll (6Euro) for that section to stay there. For once, the place is deserted, we are the only ones there. We are too tired to care about that, (well I am), and I at least have a sound few hours sleep. Sunday morning, drizzle, dry after Rouen, then, a little sunshine, followed by more drizzle, but, a mild 12C
300 miles to Poitiers Futurscope (N46 39.813' : E0 22.094'), not exactly palatial, water, electricity are extra (by the hour and litre, 2euro/hour for Electric and 2Euro/100Litre for the water), at least it is secure I suppose, and, not far off the main road. A pretty exhausting day for me, driving almost none stop from 8:00 until 16:30, but, Kathleen does the dutiful wife act and produces a Chicken Curry, a can of beer and a bottle of wine!
Rather dull, 8C as we leave Chateau-Thierry. It does improve as the day progresses, but, just a little sunshine, and 15C. First stop, Lidl, so Kathleen can add to her wine and Gin collection. It turns out to be Market Day in Chateau-Thierry, what a shame, we missed it. Then a pleasant 45 miles or so along quiet roads, to Coucy Le Chateau. It is a pleasant small village, no problems as a stop over, but, I am pleased I did not choose as the stop-over for the day of my birthday, the only "commerces" are a Pharmacy and a Boulangerie! That is first impressions, but, there is a "haut ville", with a ruined 13th century castle, and, I suspect, one or more bars / cafes / hotels, but, I cannot coax Kathleen into climbing the steep hill to get there. The Aire at Coucy Le Chateau (N49 31.199 E3 18.805), appears well organised, no entry barrier, but, a similar machine to Chateau-Thierry, to pay for
Electricity, etc, and, dispense a code to give access to water, toilet and electricity. The charge is 5Euro / 24 hours, Parking, Water, Toilet and 16amp EHU, everything clean and tidy. There are marked out spaces for six vans, when we arrived, just before lunch time, only one van here (British), then a further three Brits turned up, by 15:00, it was full plus an extra two vans squeezed in (French and Belgian). This portion of the trip, in video.
Saturday, 8th October 2016 Misty and murky start to the day, but, not cold. By lunchtime, a hint of blue sky.
The final leg, to our usual last stop, Gravelines, which is really like saying Dunkirk, since, Gravelines is a rest stop, if it is a Saturday (which it is), Kathleen goes to church. A traffic free drive, except around Lille, and a leisurely lunch stop, to make a pleasant last day in France. Once we arrive, and get "set up" we have a meal, Kathleen does church, then, a little drink, and an early night, because, tomorrow is a 4:30am start. This portion of the trip, in video.
Wednesday, 5th October 2016 Another bright, dry, cool morning. Even as we head north, it stays sunny and by mid afternoon, it is 15C.
We say our fond farewell's to Deryk and Lesley, and Lesley treats us to a hilarious review of her English pronunciation of her French vocabulary, just to prove, she does not speak French. Droite (right) is a particular favourite of Kathleen's. Still chuckling, head off for Chateau Thierry. A pleasant drive of about 140 miles. Kathleen's alarm level increasing steadily as we approached nearer and nearer to Paris, but, after Fontainbleu, the sat-nav took us "cross country", totally avoiding the dreaded Paris Ring Road. Our stopping place at Chateau Thierry is an Aire, N49 2.195' E3 22.966'. Incredibly well organised.
Spacious, marked out bays, with more of less level hard surface, and a small grass area. Spaces for about a dozen vans. We arrived about 1:00pm, there were about six vans here, by 4:30pm, it was full. Supermarkets and Town Centre, within easy walking (or cycling) distance, ie one mile to Town Centre. You must pay, by debit/credit card, on entry. The machine gives instructions in English if required, you choose how long you want to stay (24 or 48 hours), how many people and if you want EHU. On the above date, the tariff was Euro9.90 per day, two people with services including EHU.
You get a receipt containing a code to open the barrier, and a separate code for the toilets / showers. There are the usual services, ie waste water emptying point, chemical toilet emptying point, plus, washing up sinks. The Aire is located behind a McDonalds (no usable wifi signal on Aire), and alongside the River Marne. The journey, so far.
This portion of the trip, in video:
Thursday, 6th October 2016 Blue sky, sunshine, but, we are in Northern France, and, it is October, so, a cool 8C in the morning, rising to a pleasant 16C by lunchtime. Today, is my birthday, the last year of my 60s, so, I have to make the most of it,
We take a leisurely stroll into town, along the River Marne. In the Town Centre, the travelling Fair and Circus, which was there yesterday, is gone, no sign that it was ever here. We stroll around the town, in the autumn sunshine. I have already selected where I want to eat (L'Adress Rive Droite), but, Kathleen, being a woman, always like to check, just in case she has missed something.
As is the French way, suddenly, the place becomes quiet, displays of goods are taken in, shops close their doors, it is Lunch Time! So, we make our way to L'Adress Rive Droite, the place is buzzing, but, we are given a very pleasant window table. We are treated to first class attention, once they establish we are English, which does not take long, given our very limited French!, a waitress appears and explains the "Menu du Jour", in English. We have the full works, Aperitifs, three courses, wine, coffee and "digestifs". We practice our appalling French on the staff, which they accept in good humour, and, they lapse into English, when all else fails! Wine is chosen from a position of almost total ignorance, but is excellent. An excellent Port as an aperitif, for me, and Kir Blanc for Kathleen. Kathleen is amazingly adventurous, and even eats some salad with dressing on it, whilst for my starter, I have what I assume was eel (the waitress knew only, in English, that it was locally caught fish). If it was eel, it is the first time I have eaten it, palatable, but, perhaps, I will pass, or try snake next time! A thoroughly enjoyable experience, which I enjoyed treating myself to.
A really cool start to the day, at 2C, but, it soon warms up, and we enjoy 19C by mid-morning. The place is jam-packed. I unload the bicycles and off we cycle, initially, along the Canal Briare, but, the cycle track is not smooth enough for Kathleen's taste, so, we back track and follow the Canal Lateral de Loire, to Chatillon-sur-Loire. The area is criss-crossed by water ways, at least two canals which are in current use,
plus an obsolete version of the Canal Lateral, and of course, the River Loire, it is very confusing, plus of course, if you end up on the "wrong side" of a water-way, they only option is to peddle to the next bridge to cross. We do just over 15 miles. This time, I do get a beer, on Kathleen, By chance, we meet our English neighbours, Deryk and Lesley, near Chatillon-sur-Loire, as they sit eating their picnic lunch, prior to continuing their hunt for hidden "geo-caches".
The weather forecast says, rain, this evening, but, as I lie in bed at 7:00am, I can hear rain pattering on the roof, this is not good. Surprisingly, after the poor start, there is no more rain, although, it stays cloudy all day, temperatures are still reasonable however at 18C. We set off on the scooter to find the Le Clerc, Hypermarket, to do the obligatory shopping for Wine, etc. We do not find the Le Clerc, but, we do find a Carrefour, and do some serious (ie lots of) wine buying, to fill up the available carrying space on the scooter. After lunch, another attempt to find Le Clerc, success, more wine is acquired. You may gather from this, signposting and advertising of Supermarkets is not a French strong point, you would be right! Eventually, 19:00, the rain comes. Saturday, 1st October 2016 Torrential rain, all night, not that it bothers me, I am a sound sleeper! Rain slowly clears, by 10:30, we are able to walk to the market, without being soaked. Typical market, we actually buy something (universal plug, for the sink, ours appears to have been lost, by someone, who uses it when washing their hair, no names, no packdrill), a whole 1Euro, spent, on a pack containing four universal sink plugs. In the evening, with black clouds threatening another downpour, which, fortunately, did not materialise, we take a three mile scooter ride to Saint-Martin-sur-Ocre, so Kathleen can go to Church. Sunday, 2nd October 2016 Brilliant sunshine and a clear blue sky this morning, but, it is a very autumnal 9C, warming to 17C by mid afternoon. Sunday morning, for Kathleen, is taken up with major hair-care operations. In addition, we wash everything which can be washed and charge everything which can be charged, fill up with water etc, because we expect to spend a few nights "roughing it" on Aires, as we make our way north to Dunkirk.
Scooter loaded onto trailer, along with bicycles. All packed and ready to go, by 17:00. The site had been almost empty, but, around lunch time, we get new neighbours, a very elderly French couple, with what appears to be enough equipment for a months stay, and, it all appears to be brand new. Late in the afternoon, there is an influx of campervans and caravans, mostly Dutch (no surprise there) and, it would appear travelling in groups of two or three.
Monday, 3rd October 2016
Autumn is here today, only 1C, and fog on the river. But, the sun clears away the fog, for a very pleasant sunny day, with a balmy 20C by mid afternoon. I cannot resist an attempt at some "arty" shots of the fog, on the RIver Loire. Plenty of time, because today, we plan to travel only about nine miles, along the Loire, to Briare. Briare, is the meeting point of two canals, and, there is an impressive acquaduct
carrying the Canal over the River Loire. We cycled there a few days ago, and, there is an Aire, where we plan to stay for a couple of days, and cycle along the Briare Canal. We call at Le Clerc, to fill up with diesel and do some food shopping, then, final alcohol shopping, at the Lidl, just outside of Briare. There is at actually at least two Aires, possibly three. We choose the most scenic one, along side the canal. No Services, but a pleasant view. N47 38'3" E2 44'25". It is just across the road from the "official" Aire.
It is such a short distance, it is hardly worth the effort of giving a map, but, for completeness, here it is. The short journey, in video.
We arrive, just after 12:00 lunch time, and get one of the last two spaces, so, clearly a popular spot, the moral of the story is, be early! We are parked next to another English couple, Deryk and Lesley, from Hampshire, although, Deryk is really a Sunderland lad, his parents emigrated to the Hayes in the 1930's! A delightful couple, who are indulging their love of "geo-caching".
Once settled, and a quick lunch, Kathleen suggests she will treat me to a glass of Rose, in one of the village cafe/bars. All very fine, we select a bar, Kathleen orders to very nice, but, rather expensive (12Euro) glasses (yes, that is 6Euro per glass, not per bottle!) of Rose, and, we are given "free" local spicy sausage, in a small bowl. Fortunately, Kathleen does not like the sausage, so, I get to eat it all. Now for the finale, Kathleen has forgotten her purse!, so, I get to pay for my own "treat". While sitting in the sun, watching the boats go by, an elderly chap, riding on a mobility scooter, towing a cycle trailer, with a collie dog riding in it. Stops, and chats to us. If his tale is even half true, he has had a remarkable life. Joined the Sutherland Highlanders as a boy soldier, became an explosives expert and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer. After retirement from the Army, he sailed the canals of France, for several years, in his canal boat. At some point, at Briare, he was initially "delayed" by a defect on the Pont Canal. When that was repaired, and as he prepared to leave, he suffered a heart attack, and was further delayed. He subsequently had heart surgery and a tumour removed from his lung, courtesy of the French Health Service. Now, aged 82, he is still here, living on a house boat, attended by a daily carer, and a series of nurses, all provided by the French Healthcare System. He also "works" as nightwatchman in the Marina, exchange for a free berth and services. As I say, hardly a "standard" life story.
Wednesday, 28th September 2016 Blue sky and sunshine again this morning. There are literally hundreds of birds flying along the river. Not sure what kind of bird, some are Herons, readily recognisable, but there are also many which look like Gulls or Terns, plus lots which look like Guillemots, but, we are hundreds of miles from the sea, and I thought Guillemots and Terns were sea birds?. What ever they are, they are having a field day feeding on, what appears to be, a plentiful supply of fish. They are catching so many, they are dropping some of it, as they fly over the bridge crossing the river. After yesterday's cycling activities, today, is a riding around on the scooter day. We go to Briare, via the D951, since we cannot cross the river, using the "Pont du Canal", we have to travel on as far as Chatillon-sur-Loire, where there is a bridge with a 2.7metre height limit, fine on the scooter, but, not in the campervan. We, eventually, find the Lidl in Briare, and clear the shelves (literally) of Kathleen's current favourite, White Zindanfell Rose. I have previously cleared out the underseat storage area and the top box on the scooter, so, we are able to fill up the space with Wine, Gin, oh, and some food. The rest of the day is spent washing clothes (Kathleen) and lying about in the Sun (both of us). A little bit of excitement, right at the end of the day, at 10:00 in the evening, in the pitch black, a British Caravan outfit arrives. We watch as they try to reverse and park in the dark, with little success, and a few near misses with trees and shrubbery! Eventually, Kathleen goes out and speaks to them to explain, there is a pitch next to us, where they can simply drive in and leave the car hitched up, until they sort things out, tomorrow, in daylight. They gratefully accept this idea, and are soon parked, rather than disturbing the neighbours. We assume, they must be novices, or, that some unforeseen circumstance must have caused them to have arrived so late, and in total darkness, but, the next day as Kathleen interrogates (sorry, chats to) them, it appears, no, they are experienced caravanners, and, the late arrival had been "planned". It certainly was not evident last night. Thursday, 29th September 2016 Another gloriously sunny day, 25C. The weather forecast says it is going to be a cool 18C tomorrow, and, raining, but, apart from a breeze developing late in the afternoon, there is no sign of a change in the weather today.
Breakfast over, we cycle along the Loire Cycle Route, north, my plan (not declared to Kathleen of course), is to cycle to Sully-sur-Loire, about 20 miles north of here. The first four miles or so, are easy going, but, at Saint-Gondon, The cycle route leaves the river bank and goes "cross-country", through very pleasant, but, let us say "undulating terrain", or, as Kathleen would say, "oh no, look at that hill". We pass through Saint-Florent, and on to Lion-en-Sullias.
At this point, when we have cycled about 11 miles, I break the news of my "plan" to cycle to Sully-sure-Loire, about another 9 miles. This is not well received, particularly when the only Bar come breadshop come everything, in Lion-en-Sullias, is closed at 11;45, despite the displayed openning times which clearly state, it should be open. So, we leave the signposted cycle route and peddle along the quiet D951 to return to Saint-Gondon, where we find a friendly bar where we have beer and "frites". We have a
portion of chips, equivalent to those Kathleen paid 4.50Euro for at the motorway aire, for 2Euro. Fortified, we rejoin the cycle route and return to Gien, to complete just over18 miles. We chance upon an Aire, in Saint-Gondon, a large level parking area, near the village centre (and bar), N47 41.993 E2 32.613. There is no signs suggesting there is a fee, there appear to be only waste water and toilet disposal facilities, but space for 8-10 vans. There is only one there as we pass.
A heavy overnight dew, and a cloudy, cool, start to the day, but, by lunch-time, it is 22C sunbathing weather. Essential foodstuffs are required, so, we have to go shopping. We have been to Gien before, and, vaguely recall to location of the Lidl, or, we think we do. We peddle across the bridge, and through the town, but, no Lidl to be found, instead, we find an Auchan, which supplies our needs. After Auchan, we head for the church, to check Mass times, ready for Sunday. The church is at the top of a very steep hill. Kathleen is very proud of herself because she managed to cycle all of the way to the top, while I had to get off and walk the last 20 metres or so. My excuse is, I was carrying additional weight (ie 2 litres of milk, some bananas, etc), plus.
On our return, I check with the all knowing Google, sure enough, Lidl WAS where we thought it was, but, it has closed down. Not much of a recommendation for Gien, if it cannot even support a discount retailer, like Lidl. In the afternoon, Kathleen enters into a hair-care session, so, I take my bicycle and explore along the banks of the Loire, to check out the cycle track for Kathleen's proposed outing, tomorrow, weather permitting.
More Brits arrive, as neighbours, so, after cycling / hair washing / hair drying etc, the rest of the afternoon is spent sitting in the sun, chatting and drinking beer. What a hard life.
Tuesday, 27th September 2016 Another sunny day, with temperature at 23C by lunch time.
We cycle along the Loire to Briare, "famous" as the point where two canals (Canal Lateral de Loire and Canal de Briare) meet and cross the River Loire, via a rather grand metal bridge.. There is a cycle track, shown on our tourist map, but, Kathleen opts to follow the (quiet) D951, because it looks more direct. We do not know it at this point, but, this turns out to be a wise decision. Briare turns out to be a pretty place, with, of
course, the famous canal bridge. We stop in the, very pleasant, square, initially, for a refreshing beer, but we succumb to the atmosphere and rumbling stomachs to eventually, decide to have lunch and some cool Rose wine.
We choose from the 12Euro menu, Kathleen has a rather delicious Beef Bourgoine, whilst I select a pork dish. Mine too is delicious, but, judging from the shape and appearance, it is what we would
call pigs trotters, although Kathleen reckons it was what we would call Pork Hock. Delicious anyway. Kathleen, being her talkative self, after a little drink, has a conversation, in French, with a chap who turns out to be a Russian. We eventually tear ourselves away from lunch and have a little explore, the church, because it may be where Kathleen has to come to on Sunday, and of course the Marina on the canal, where there is a Campervan Aire.
Here we meet a couple from Carlisle, wandering their way through France, and spend some time swapping Aires and Campsite information. We also learn that the Newcastle - Amsterdam crossing may be cheaper than we have been lead to believe, they paid "only" £420 return. Eventually, we make our way back, I convince Kathleen we should use the cycle track.
The cycle track is good, at least there is no traffic to contend with, although Kathleen is not happy on two counts: a) it is undulating, unlike the D951, which is flat. b) it is in the shade of trees, so, no sun tan as you peddle. At the ten mile mark, we come to a particularly steep incline, which proves that beer, lunch, wine, and hills are not a good mixture. Then, we come to a section where the cycle track is closed, no apparent reason, just a barrier and a "Route Barre" sign, so, we have to rejoin the road anyway. Sixteen miles and a good lunch, an enjoyable outing.
