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Wednesday, 9th May 2018

Mild and sunny, well, as mild and sunny as it can be, in Calais at 06:00 in the morning, in early May!

The Motorhome area has filled up somewhat overnight, at Cite Europe, but, we have no difficulty in getting out.

We arrive at the Tunnel Terminal in plenty of time and are put on an earlier shuttle, at no extra charge.

All goes smoothly and we arrive at Ashford at 07:30, UK time.

Amazingly, a clear ride along the M25, heavy traffic, but, no actual hold-ups, a stop for lunch, and, we are home by 15:30, 380 miles later.

Versailles, Camping Huttopia, to Neufchatel-en-Bray

Friday 4th May 2018

Sunny and dry in Versailles, but, we have seen everything we want to see here, and, we are not really "city people", so, we decide to head for our old favourite Camping St Claire, Neufchatel-en-Bray (N49 44'14" E1 25' 40").

It is approximately 95 miles, and an easy drive on a combination of free motorway and excellent quality "N" and "D" roads. The only tricky bit was joining the A13, where the sat-nav called it exactly right, telling me to get in left hand lane and turn left to join the A13 toward Rouen. Even although the visible direction signs were saying right hand lane for A13! the sat-nav was right, there was a very small sign, not visible until you were making the actual turn, saying "A13 Rouen". Definitely  a junction you would not have got right, if working from a map!

We arrive at Neufchatel-en-Bray to brilliant sunshine, Kathleen is soon in full "relaxing" mode.








Saturday 5th May 2018

An absolutely beautiful day, 9C at 08:00 and 22C by lunch time, full sunshine and blue skies.

We go cycling, 20 miles along the Cycle Track towards Dieppe, as far as the village of Saint Vaast-d'EquiqueVille.

We see two large groups of English cyclists, presumably, off the ferry at Dieppe.

Two villages along the cycle track, only about two miles from Neufchatel-en-Bray is a village called Mesniers-en-Bray, with a magnificently restored chateau, now, an Agricultural College, if my schoolboy French is correct.

Can't resist a few of Camping St Claire, the owner keeps it absolutely pristine.

We (well Kathleen) manages a little relaxation, eventually, after waiting on Kathleen, I manage a little sit down too.









 
Sunday, 6th May 2018

Even hotter than yesterday, blue skies and 27C !

Kathleen does here Sunday Church session, while I sit in the square, in the sun, and people watch.

It is too hot for cycling today, sitting in the sun, eating ice-cream, drinking cold beer and reading a book.

Barbecue in the evening, Kathleen is very adventurous and eats some French sausages (as well as some steaks).

Monday, 7th May 2018

Another 27C, blue sky day.

We get out to do our cycling, before the heat builds up, 8.5 miles, along the cycle track, to Beaubec-la-Roserie, which appears to be a beautiful village, but, without a bar!.

So, 17 miles, for the round trip.

This being our last night here, we treat ourselves (or, to be more precise, I treat Kathleen) to an evening meal at the site Bistro.

They have an indoor section, incase the weather is poor, or an outdoor terrace.

Given the excellent weather, we opt for the terrace, and have an excellent meal, including dessert and a bottle of wine for 40Euro, which I think is pretty reasonable.

 
Tuesday, 8th May 2018

Looks like another scorching 27C day at Neufchatel-en-Bray, and it is still sunny 24C when we arrive at Cite Europe, Coquelles, Calais.

Kathleen does the hair care routine, so, that takes up half the morning.

In the meantime, I pack up "the gear", and we have a leisurely morning of sitting in the sun, drinking coffee.

Checkout time is 12:00, and we leave just before that to drive the 100 miles approximately to Cite Europe (N50 55' 57" E1 48'48").

It is the first time we have used Cite Europe as a stopover before the Tunnel (we normally use Gravelines).

Cite Europe has the advantage that we do not need to drive the 15 or so miles north, to Gravelines, and it is only a very short distance to the Tunnel Terminal.

There is a large Shopping Mall, with shops, restaurants, and, if required toilets. Parking is free, and, security appears good (will confirm that in the morning, if we are still "intact"!).

Chateau Thierry to Autun to Tain-l'Hermitage

Tuesday, 20th March 2018

A bright, sunny morning in Chateau Thierry, but, at 0C, not very warm!

A leisurely 180 miles to Autun, with stops for food (and wine) shopping, lunch, and coffee.

A good mix of fast dual carriageway, and scenic "N" and "D" roads, all, delightfully empty of traffic!

The Aire at Autun (N46 57'19" E4 18'40") has toilets, and a service point (free, except for water and electricity, for these you have to buy a token, 3.50Euro, from the garage opposite). One downside is, who ever decided to make a motorhome Aire here, clearly did not actually use a Motorhome! the parking area is far from level.

There are restaurants, including a McDonalds, for wifi just across the road from the Aire, but, at the time of our visit, the McDonalds is closed for refurbishment.

The Aire at Autun is located beside a lake and leisure facilities, not that any of them are open when we arrive in March!

Autun is an interesting town, with many Roman remains, plus, a good selection of restaurants, cafes etc.

We have the company of one other van (German), overnight, and two "callers" who use the service point and leave.

Wednesday, 21st March 2018 - Thursday, 22nd March 2018

Very cold overnight, -4C, according to Kathleen, who keeps a careful eye on the temperature! The heating in the van kept us comfortably warm.

Brilliantly sunny morning, with temperatures of 7C on the forecast for today.

Another 180 miles south, to Tain-l'Hermitage, Municipal les Lacs (N45 4' 0' E4 51'6"). This a quite small, but pleasant, ACSI site, on the banks of the River Rhone. 

During the day, as we drive, temperatures even reach double figures, just, at 10C.

When we arrive, it is about half full.

This site is clearly a "stop-over" on the way North or South, since, next morning, everyone except ourselves and two others, are up and away by 09:00.

It is a bright sunny morning, so, we decide to have a rest from the driving and linger here another day.

After almost a week of inactivity, we spend the day walking along the banks of the Rhone, into Tain-L'Hermitage and, across the pedestrian bridge to Tournon-sur-Rhone, watching the boats go by, and, generally enjoying the fresh air.

Followed by a period of "chilling" for Kathleen, and, washing 800 miles of road dirt off the van, for me. Well, Kathleen did

help a little.

Dover - Folkestone - Chateau Thierry

Monday, 19th March 2018

Up at 05:00 and outside rolling up our EHU cable, which has frozen into the snow and slush, overnight. Freezing cold wind, is blowing, with flurries of snow, who says a Motorhome is not fun?

Drive the few miles to the Channel Tunnel terminal, check in smoothly and board the 06:20 shuttle, with virtually no waiting.

Straight off the train and heading for an Aire at Chateau Thierry. (N49 2'14" E3 22'60") via Lille, about two hundred and twenty miles away. 

A stop for breakfast, and another for coffee, and we arrive mid-afternoon.

Our coffee stop is at another Aire, Aire de Riqueval, (N49 57'6" E3 14'10"), it is just off the D1044, but, quiet nevertheless. There are two dedicated Motorhome parking spaces, service point, and refuse disposal. 

No sign of any mechanism to pay, and, no signs saying payment is necessary, so, I assume it is free (except water and electricity). 

There is also a Museum, which appears to be dedicated to barges used to tow cargoes on the canals.

Chateau Thierry is still in fine shape, although the touch screen at the entry barrier could be more sensitive, it requires a "finger stab" rather than a "touch"!

Weather, no snow (unlike the UK), but bitterly cold, 1C as we leave Calais, falling to -2C as we move inland, by the time we are as far south as Chateau Thierry, it is back at 1C, but, dry and bright!  

To La Ferte Beauharnais, and then to Neufchatel-en-Bray

Tuesday 25th April 2017

For the first time in several weeks, we wake up to find the sun is most definitely not shining! Dull, grey sky, and a rather chilly 7C. The sun struggles to break through in the course of the morning, but, never quite makes it. By 16:00, it is raining steadily.

Kathleen's plan of leaving the Aire at St Priest Taurion, before breakfast, and then break our journey at the first service area we come to on the A20, to have breakfast, may be a very good plan, but, it is thwarted by an accident on the A20, which has closed the northbound carriageway for several junctions.

After a diversion of some 10-15 miles, which is extremely busy, with all of the traffic off the A20, we eventually come to a grinding halt, about two miles from the point at which we can rejoin the A20, the hold up appears to be just sheer volume of traffic.

Kathleen leaps into action, to prove that she is more use than the sat-nav, and we take a detour, off the ring road, which is traffic bound, through the centre of a small town, and emerge at the entry point to the A20, having "queue jumped" a couple of miles of standing traffic.

We have an Aire chosen for tonight, it is one I got of the Facebook, Autotrail Owners Group, at a place called Mennetou-sur-Cher.. 

Neither us, or our sat-nav could find a way to access the supposed parking spot, the bridge over the canal was only had a width limit of 2 metres and a weight limit of 2 tonnes, we are 2.2metres and 3.650 tonnes. There may be a way, but, we could not find it.

We head on, for our "fall back" option, La Ferte Beauharnais (N47 32.655' E1 50.937').

This Aire, is on the edge of the village, adjacent to the village fishing lake. I am sure, on a sunny day, it will be a delightful spot, but, when we arrive, it is raining steadily!

Despite the rain, it is popular, by 18:30 there are five vans there.

Although the Aire is just off the road, there is little traffic, and it is pleasantly quiet for a good nights sleep.




Wednesday 26th April 2017

The weather forecast says rain for La Ferte Beauhamais today, so, it is a pleasant surprise to find it is just cold (5C) and dull.

In the course of the day, we have occasional glimpses of sunshine, but, the temperature never struggles above 10C, and, by the time we reach Rouen, we have alternating hail and sleet!

We had originally planned to fit in another stop, at an Aire, which had been recommended to us by Motorhoming friends John and Carol. 

The Aire is near Rouen.

Given the weather, we decide to give that a miss and head straight for Camping St Claire, (N49.73781 E1.42803) at Neufchatel-en-Bray.

Camping St Claire is one of our favourite stops, the owner keeps the place absolutely pristine, and, it is only 15Euro per night (it used to be 12Euro, when we first started coming here ten years ago).

If the weather is kind, there is an excellent cycle route, and, it is a relatively short (20 minute) walk into town.

The added advantage is it's proximity to Calais, only a little over 100 miles, and, there is a selection of supermarkets for last minute wine hoarding, and, diesel fill up.

So, it makes an excellent last stop, before Calais or Dunkirk.

The weather has improved, from hail and sleet at Rouen to Sunshine and showers, but a cool 8C, at Neufchatel-en-Bray. 

Kathleen has spent the journey shouting at the sat-nav, because it did not calculate precisely the route she would have done, although, in fairness: 

• it did follow the major roads Kathleen would have taken (N154 etc)
• it took us through Rouen on a new (and better route) to our usual

Once we are here, Kathleen cannot resist a clothes washing frenzy, so that she does not have have to take home dirty washing.

To St Priest Taurion

Monday 24th April 2017

An early start, for 160 miles to our next stop, an Aire at St Priest Taurion (N45 53.172’ E1 23.785’). 

There are minimum facilities, just the basic waste disposal facilities, but, it is an idyllic spot, on the banks of the River Taurion. 

The Aire is located in the Municipal Sports Ground, for the village (how do they afford to have such facilities?).

There is one Dutch Van there when we arrive, another (French) van turns up later, so, three of us with enough space for probably 10-15.

The lady from the Dutch van is very friendly, we learn she is a Freelance Fitness Instructor, and, Kathleen gets some free exercise tips, which pleases her.

We visit the Village Bar/Cafe and manage to talk French, all be it, not very well, to the owners teenage daughter. She at least pretends to understand us!

Moissac, haircare day!

Sunday 23rd April 2017

Another brilliant day, blue sky, 24C.

The original "plan" was to leave here today, but, it is so pleasant here, we have decided to stay for an extra day.

This does pose a slight problem, today is scheduled to be Kathleen's "hair-care day".

Normally, it has been decreed, on a "hair-care" day, we MUST be a full facility site (ie EHU, copious amounts of hot water, correctly sized and position wash basins, suitable mirrors), but, we are on an Aire, the hair-care process is going to have to be done, using the facilities within the van.

The good news is, it all goes without a hitch, Kathleen even declares it a positive success.

Of course, it was not Kathleen who had to carry 100 litres of water, from the tap, and fill the onboard tank, nor was it Kathleen who had to carry 100 litres of waste water to the disposal point. 

It is possible to drive the van to the service point and fill/empty water, but, that would have meant driving the van with Kathleen in the middle of the hair washing routine, something told me, suggesting this, was not wise.

Maybe, I should have been born an Aquarius, instead of a Libra?

Moissac, Cycling

Friday 21st April 2017

Sunny, blue sky, 20C.

Today is spent cycling along the Canal Lateral de Garonne, in the direction of Castelsarrasin, about 5 miles away, then another 5 miles beyond that, to make a twenty mile round trip, through beautiful countryside.

Saturday, 22nd April 2017.

Blue sky, 25C.

We are enjoying it here so much, we decide to stay another day.

This decision disrupts the Church plan, so, we head off on the scooter to find the Convent Misercordia, where there is a mass on Saturday evening. We find the place no problem, and, the nun on Reception duties is amazingly helpful, even giving us a mini tour of the building! So, that is Kathleen sorted.

We spend the rest of the day cycling along the Canal (22 miles), in the opposite direction to yesterday.

We go as far as Valence en Agen, where there is this amazing fountain, outside of the bar, where we were forced to stop for a cooling beer.

I spend the evening in Bar Compestelle. I make use of my French a la Michel Thomas, to ask for "encore biere, s'il vous plait", only for the bar man to say "un autre biere", which according to Michel, is incorrect!

Either way, I received another beer.

Kathleen does the Church bit.

Exploring Moissac

Thursday, 20th April 2017

Just to remind us, we are not in Spain, but, in the Tarn Region of France, and, it is only mid-April, the morning starts sunny, but, decidedly cool at only 12C, but, by late morning, the temperature is improving, and we have a pleasant 20C day.

The campsite, Le Moulin du Bidounet, is, I would suspect, an ex-municipal site, I say that, because, it is "functional", ie, every thing is clean, and works, but, it is not "comfortable". 

Yesterday, in the evening, we chanced upon a Motorhome Aire, (N44 5' 55" E1 5' 36") just across the river from the Campsite, and nearer to the town of Moissac. 

It has a good level surface, EHU, and usual services, for 7Euro per day, we decide to move there.

It is all automated, with a Debit/Credit card check-in system, operating an entry/exit barrier, with instructions in French and English.

Once "settled in", we set off on foot, to

explore the town of Moissac.

Moissac turns out to be a rather pretty place. It is on both the River Tarn, and, the Canal Lateral de Garonne.

The long distance cycle track, Les Deux Mers (the two seas), passes through here, not that I think we will have time to do very much of that, on this trip.

Moissac is also on one of the many Pilgrim Routes, running through France, to Santiago de Compestela, in Spain.

There is a very impressive Abbey, which, according to the information boards was founded in the year 600, although the existing building is more recent, dating from the 1100's (recent!).

Not being at all Religious, it is the sheer scale of these old churches which impresses me, and the number of manhours which must have gone into building them and decorating them. This one is no exception, one of the things I notice, is the walls are covered in what looks like wallpaper, to modern eyes, but, it is in fact a repetitive pattern hand painted onto the plastered surface. Given the size of the building, it must have taken hundreds if not thousands of manhours to complete.

Having satisfied our culture requirements for the day (or year even), we head off in search of lunch, which we find in a very pleasant cafe on the square at the from of the Abbey.

Whilst in the Abbey, Kathleen has acquired a list of mass times for the coming weekend.

There is a slight problem, in that the mass at the Abbey, is not until 11:00 on Sunday, the day we will be leaving Moissac. There are two other places (in Moissac) listed as having Mass at more suitable times, but, try as we might, we cannot find either of them.

The problem is solved when we go exploring, in the evening, on the scooter, and find an alternative Church at a small village called Sainte Livrade, which has both a suitable parking area for the van plus trailer, and, a mass at 9:30 Sunday.

We also find a Lidl, selling Kathleen's favourite Rose Wine (White Zindanfel), I am not sure which she is most pleased about.