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).
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.
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.
