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"!).

Camping St Claire, Neufchatel-en-Bray and Home

Thursday, 27th April 2017

We wake up to rain, and 3C, but, by lunch time the rain has gone and a sunny with cloud 9C.

We have Lidl, Le Clerc, Aldi all within five minutes walk, so, we indulge in a wine buying day.

Friday, 28th April 2017

Dry and mild, well, at 8C, mild compared to yesterday, although the forecast does not promise anything tropical!

As is often the case, it turns out very much like yesterday, except slightly warmer at 11C.

Kathleen decides to have a "hair care session, so it will all be done for when we get home", basically, this involves me doing all of the packing, shopping and preparation for leaving at lunch time, whilst Kathleen "does her hair". It is a hard life, being a woman, so I am told.

Saturday, 29th April 2017

Today looks as if it is going to be a beautiful day, sunshine and by the time we leave Neufchatel at lunch time a pleasant 21C.

Kathleen decides to have a "hair care session, so it will all be done for when we get home", basically, this involves me doing all of the packing, shopping and preparation for leaving at lunch time, whilst Kathleen "does her hair". It is a hard life, being a woman, so I am told.

A totally uneventful drive to Calais and the Tunnel, an early train, and then home on quiet roads, we arrive home at 03:00 in the morning.

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.

Neufchatel en Bray to Maisons Lafitte, Paris

Friday 4th September 2015

Before leaving Camping St Claire, we have a busy morning:

Me: Empty waste water, service toilet, half fill fresh water tank, 

Kathleen: do her hair

I decide, in a moment of madness to set both satnavs for our destination. So, I have three women telling me what to do at every junction, roundabout and motorway exit, ie two satnavs plus Kathleen.

Actually, they turn out to be in remarkable harmony.


.

For almost the whole journey, the road is good and the traffic is light to almost none existent.








At one of the sets of traffic lights we spot this litter lout, see the fag packet being thrown out of the left hand side window.

I suppose it goes to show anti-social, thoughtless people are everywhere you go.



We are a little anxious about about driving so close into Central Paris, in the campervan, but, it turns out the approach to Maisons Lafitte is not difficult at all, apart from the last half mile or so, which is through narrow streets, lined with parked cars. 

It is well signposted, until, we are confronted with a diversion, where some workmen are busy cutting a tree down, so, we must wend our way through a few even narrower streets, to enter Maisons Laffite International.

Maisons Lafitte is quite a large campsite, on an island in the river Seine. 

As "city" campsites go, in our experience, it is remarkably well kept.

It is relatively quiet at this time f year, which is how we like it.

Reception staff are helpful and friendly, Kathleen emerges not only with details of nearest church and mass times, details of how to get to the nearest RER station, but, also significant details of the receptionists private life and her ambitions to become as school teacher. All of that information was gathered without infringing the Human Rights Act or the Geneva Convention.


The helpful receptionist, allocates us a spot near Brian and Linda's prebooked pitch, although they have not yet arrived.

We have a river view from the van, with barges and pleasure craft sailing past at regular intervals.

Brian and Linda are delayed, they are approaching from the South (Dijon) and have got themselves onto a stretch of toll motorway, with height barriers on the exits.

Eventually they escape the motorway and arrive via Versailles.

Brian provides the wine, Kathleen, rustles up food for all, and, an evening of eating and drinking follows.


     

To Neufchatel-en-Bray

Amusing little scene this morning as we sat eating our breakfast at about 8:30.

A "council" pickup truck arrived, towing an industrial shredder.

Three workmen emerged.

First, they asked the lone German lady campervaner to move her van, they clearly planned to trim the trees behind her van.

I expected this to be the end of peace and quiet, chain saws, hedge trimmers, not to mention the shredder.

I need not have worried.

German lady moved, Workman 1, lit up a cigarette, sat on the towbar of the shredder and smoked. Workman 2, got his sandwiches out and proceeded to munch away. Workman 3, the driver, disappeared in the pickup and, returned, about 15 minutes later with coffees and more food.

About two hours later, just before we left, work commenced.

Council workers in France are clearly just like their British counterparts.




We had no EHU last night at Montreuil-sur-Mer, that means, no hair dryer or hair straighteners (not for me silly).

It is necessary, therefore,  to have a night at a campsite so Kathleen's withdrawal symptoms can be brought under control.

It is decided that, old faithful Camping Ste Claire at Neufchatel-en-Bray will do very nicely.

We arrive to find it pristine as usual.

 

We arrive at lunch time, the site looks almost empty, but, such is it's popularity, by 16:30, it is looking decidely full! 20:30 and, they are still arriving!

Sadly, the weather is not kind, it pours with rain until about 16:00, but Kathleen has no difficulty filling her time, planning a route to Maison Lafitte, after she has put the French National Grid to good use.

Yesterday, whilst still in England, I visited an M&S Simply Food, to buy a Pizza for tea. I noticed they also had Chocolate Teacakes (not Tunnocks, but, M&S own brand). Kathleen is very partial to Tunnocks chocolate teacakes, so, I bought a pack of 16 of the M&S version.

Unknown to me, Kathleen stored them in the fridge, to prevent the chocolate from melting.

Today, we had one with our coffee, it was decidedly not upto Tunnock standard.

Kathleen decided, that I could eat the remaining 14 (not all at once), since she did not like them. 

Just in the interests of using them up, I ate a second one. Well, we post war babies remember rationing, we don't like to waste things.

I suggested that, perhaps, storing them in the fridge was the problem, so, they were put in the "food" cupboard.

Later, in the evening, I had another, it was much better. Kathleen tried one, yes, much better.

I am now banned from eating any more.  

Neufchatel-En-Bray, Camping St Claire, Welwyn Garden City, Commons Wood, and Finally, Home (April 17th - April 21st)

Friday, 17th April 2015

A leisurely start, to let the early morning traffic clear, all of those people going to some place called "work", I don't know what they see in it myself.

An easy 139 miles, negotiating Rouen like we have done it before (which of course we have), to our old regular, Camping St Claire, Neufchatel-en-Bray.

I know, I always sing the praises of this place, but, it really has a lot going for it.

The owner and his wife, keep the place pristine, it is only 14Euro (£10.50) a night, plus, it is an easy two hour drive from here to Calais.

Finally, if all that is not enough, for the dog owners, there is, I am told, a convenient vet in the town, who will do the necessary for travelling dogs, cheaper than the Vets in Calais.

First task is to book ourselves a ferry, for our return trip. Many people we have met on our travels swear by the Caravan Club. If my experience is anything to go by, I cannot endorse that. I first check on old favourite ferrysavers, and find a price of £69, Dunkirk->Dover, for van and trailer. Caravan Club come up with a price of £109! When I point out, I can get a better price myself, they come up with £63 for the same crossing I found on Ferrysavers. So, I have "saved" £6, but, I had to do all of the work, plus, I had to do the transaction via telephone, because their website cannot deal with booking for Campervans with Trailers. The last I find amazing, what is a car and caravan, except a car with a big trailer?

Moan over, time for a glass of Red!

For a blow by blow account, until the Camera runs out of memory:

Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 1 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 2 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 3 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 4 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 5 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 6 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 7 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 8 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 9 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 10 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 11 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 12 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 13 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 14 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 15 of 15

Saturday 18th April 2015

A sunny day, but, cool compared to what we have been used to at about 16C, the penalty of being so far north I suppose.

Once breakfast is over, and the debris from last nights pizzas and wine drinking is cleared away, I get the folding bicycles out, and we go cycling along the "Voie Vert", for a very pleasant 15 miles.

The cycle track here was always very good, but, it has been even further improved.

There is a better tarmac surface, a couple of new cafes (in restored trackside buildings from the railway days), and a new picnic area with toilets, picnic tables. There is even an undercover picnic table, in case it rains!.

These are all new additions, since our last visit here, approximately one year ago.

We cycle in the direction of "Forges des Eaux", which about 18 kilometres (11 miles)away, although, we don't actually go all of the way there ( we have done in the past, when the legs were younger).

One of the couples who are our neighbours, head off in the opposite direction, toward Dieppe, which is about 34 kilometers (20 miles) away. I have frequently tried to talk Kathleen into attempting this, but, without success.

Our neighbours, on their return, report that the cycle track does not actually go all of the way to Dieppe, the last few miles being on the road, so, perhaps it is not such a good idea after all.

I think, however, I will still keep working at getting Kathleen to cycle to the end of the cycle track!










 Sunday, 19th April 2015

Bright and sunny, but, with a brisk wind from the north, not very warm, only 16C.

Kathleen is off to church.

After three months of heavy relaxation, we decide to spend the day, taking it easy!

Monday, 20th April 2015

A leisurely drive to Dunkirk with a little last minute, wine shopping.

Kathleen cannot resist a final few bottles of her favourite Rose wine, but, the bottle are loose with no boxes.

Kathleen's solution, is to put them in the bed, to stop them rolling around and rattling.

At the ferry port, unusually, in our experience, they actually check the van for "stowaways". This involves a Security man searching the van, quite what he thinks of a British Pensioner who takes her wine to bed with her, he does not say.

Back in the UK, the M25 is actually moving, even the Dartford Crossing has only slow moving queues, thanks, presumably to the new toll system.

Once we are sure we can make it that far, Kathleen rings the Caravan Club Site, Commons Wood, at Welwyn Garden City. They are, as always, extremely helpful, and arrange to be available to check us in at our estimated arrival time of 08:00pm.

Tuesday, 21st April 2015

Except for a puncture, in one of the trailer tyres, an uneventful journey home. Fortunately, we carry a spare wheel for the trailer, so, other than the half hour delay, to change the wheel, no problem.

A very pleasant surprise on our return, daughter Claire has cut the lawns regularly, in our absence, so, we are not faced with the usual major grass cutting job!

For those who cannot resist, the journey from Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, then, Dover to Welwyn Garden City.

Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 1 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 2 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 3 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 4 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 5 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 6 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 7 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 8 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 9 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 10 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 11 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 12 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 13 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 14 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 15 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 16 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk Part 17 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 18 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 19 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 20 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 21 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 22 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 23 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 24 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 25 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 26 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 27 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 28 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 29 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 30 of 30, boarding the ferry

Then Dover to Welwyn Garden City, or, until the memory runs out!

Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 1 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 2 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 3 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 4 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 5 of 5



Saumur, Rugles, Neufchatel-en-Bray, Gravelines

Tuesday 14th October 2014 - Sunday 19th October 2014   

This will be our last day at Saumur, indeed, it is effectively the last day of this trip, since from tomorrow we will be heading, slowly, toward Calais, to be there for Saturday evening, then catch our ferry, early Sunday.

But, let us not jump ahead.

Another beautiful day, with clear blue sky and sunshine, spent cycling along the south bank of the Loire.

We go from the campsite on Ile d'Offard, to Dampierre-sur-Loire, and return of course, just short of 10 miles.

At Dampierre-sur-Loire, we discover a new Aire, which does not appear to be in the Aires book.

It is in an area laid out as a picnic area, just off the D947, between the edge of the village and the River Loire. All rather pretty, with the usual "borne" to dispense water, dispose of waste, a toilet, but, no electric hookup. 5 Euro per night. (N47.241044' E-0.022341)

Refreshments, sitting in the sun, in Place de St Piere, in Saumur, courtesy of my generous wife.

The rest of the day is spent in a mixture of packing and chatting to newly arrived neighbours, David and Barbara, fellow Armitage Trailer owners and scooterists.










Wednesday, time to be moving on again.

A hundred and twenty miles, more or less, due North, and we park at an Aire, in a small town / village, called Rugles,  (N48 49.370' E0 42.619'), in Haut Normandy.

It is a pity it is not Sunday, we have this old church, about 25 metres away!

It is no longer functioning as a church, the main church is in the village, with, it would appear some very enthusiastic, campanoligists.

The Aire is just a few minutes walk from the main street of the village.

It has space for about seven vans. Six free electric hook ups, and a free service point for water, waste etc.

The space is in two areas, three vans and two EHU's in one area, and four vans and fours EHU's in the other.

There are no signs to indicate there is a charge, and, so far, no one has appeared to collect any payment.

It is on the edge of a very attractive public park, with an old water mill.

You can stroll through the park to the High Street, where we contributed to the local economy by purchasing apple tarts, and a couple of beers.

It all seems very pleasant, the customers in the bar even shook hands with us, when we went in for a beer!

This is the town hall.

Now, remember, this a town / village with a population of only about 2,500.

How can they possibly support / fund such a grand town hall?, not to mention the rather grand public park, shown in the photographs above?

It makes no sense to me, but, it appears to work.


Thursday, on to Neufchatel-en-Bray, our old favourite, Camping St Claire. Still as well kept as ever, this ACSI site is only two hours south of Calais. Not that it concerns us, since we are "pet free", but, I told there is a good English speaking Vet in the Town, who can do all of the Pet formalities far cheaper than the Calais based Vets.

Apart from the fact the campsite is very well run, and inexpensive at 14Euro, we use this stopover to fill with cheap diesel (at Le Clerc), and stock up with cheap booze at Le Clerc and Lidl.

Weather is not too kind, warm and bright for most of the day, with just the odd shower, but, right at this moment, as I type this (20:00), it is pouring with rain!

Friday, our friends, (Bryan and Joan, Crick) arrive.

We have a wonderfully sunny day, which we spend in a very decadent way, ie sitting in the sun, chatting about our adventures and drinking beer.

We vary the theme in the evening, by drinking Red Wine, White Wine and Manderine, not all at once!.

Saturday, is another bright and sunny day, Joan and Bryan have an extra day compared to ourselves, so, they head off for an Aire on the coast.

Kathleen has a hair washing session, whilst I go shopping, then we head slowly for the Aire at Gravelines, our usual last overnight stop, when we have an early morning ferry / tunnel crossing.

Gravelines has a few advantages (in our opinion) over the Aire at Calais, ie,

• it is near a Church with a Mass on Saturday evening,
• it is far enough away from Calais to avoid any "asylum seeker problems" (not that we have seen any asylum seeker problems either , on previous occasions).
• There are enough places to walk, cycle to fill the time
• there are a number of bars and restaurants
• it is almost, scenic

Sunday morning, we are up at 6:00 to make our way to the 07:45 ferry, only to find, the travel arrangements administrator (Kathleen) has got the time wrong, it is the 08:15 ferry!

We could have had another half hour in bed!

Home by 16:30.