Oloron Ste-Marie to Lac de St Cyr (Poitiers) to Neufchatel-en-Bray to home?

Thursday, 19th March 2020

A cool but sunny start to the day, 13C, but, climbing to 23C by late afternoon.

We are up, reasonably, early, we get first turn on the service point, which was Kathleen's ambition.

On the road shortly after 08:00am.

Oloron Sainte-Marie, D938-D947-N10-A63-A10/N10-D910, brings us to Lac de Saint-Cyr (Poitiers) (46.721838, 0.456127) , in 314 miles, almost all free, with just a 3.80Euro toll for a small section of the A63.

Very light traffic, except for the huge volume of HGVs on the N10, but, they are all sticking to the right hand lane, so, no problem overtaking them.

A small amount of excitement at Poitiers, we leave the N10 to join the D910, heading for our chosen Aire (Lac de Saint-Cyr (Poitiers), and are stopped in a Police Road Block. They are checking peoples paper work, in particular there "Attestation", fortunately, despite Kathleen saying it was a waste of time, I had painstakingly written out two copies (one each). A young, and very polite Gendarme spoke to Kathleen, all in French, asking for our papers. I think, she quite enjoyed the experience! Happy, he waved us on our way.

Our lunch stop was taken at Angouleme, in the car park of a Commercial Centre. I took the opportunity to visit the Auchan supermarket, in the centre and bought various "treats" (chocolate and Magnums), plus wine, pate, baguette, apple tart. This formed our evening meal, sitting in the sun, with a glass or wine.

A photograph for family and friends, so you can see, we have come to no harm, Kathleen working hard.


Friday, 20th March 2020

Weather not really of consequence, since we expect to be travelling for most of the day again today, but, sunny in the morning, turning to rain as we reach Chartres, raining steadily by Neufchatel-en-Bray.

277 miles we are very familiar with, having done it numerous times, D910 - A10/N10 - A154/D154 - D61055 - A28, all toll free.

We arrive at Neufchatel-en-Bray, Aire St Claire (49.737185 1.429569). All in order, as usual, but, toilet, shower etc not in use, presumably because of CoronaVirus.






Saturday, 21st March 2020

Brrr.. can tell we are well North, only 6C this morning, as I get ready to leave Neufchatel-en-Bray, Aire St Claire (49.737185 1.429569).

We are on our way by 08:30, only about 100 miles to Tunnel.

We have reservation at 18:30. The plan is, if we can only get our reserved slot, stop off at somewhere in Kent (Canterbury P&R, or, there are a couple of CAMC sites which are possibles). If we are fortunate enough to get an earlier slot, we might even make it home today, but, with 350 miles to go, after we exit tunnel, that is doubtful.

Excellent time to the Tunnel Terminal. Roads are almost empty, although, we begin to encounter "Motorhome traffic" as we approach Calais.

We see several Police check points, but, we just get a wave, not stopped.

Even with a coffee stop, we are at Tunnel Terminal by 11:15. We are offered earlier crossing (12:20) at no extra charge. Despite all of the rumours and stories of massive queues, there is only one "file" of Motorhomes and Caravans, plus, one solitary car, at boarding time. All shops and cafe in Terminal are closed, and, we are told we must stay in vehicle, during crossing.

Given the UK/France time difference, we are unloaded and on the M20 by 11:55 UK time.

Queues at M25 Dartford Crossing (what is new), but, other than that, we make excellent progress, we are heading north on M11, we even stop at M11 Services for coffee and to polish off the apple tart I bought in France. 

Thinking we will be home today, when overhead motorway signs announce M11 Northbound Closed ahead. We have managed to drive 1,000 miles, through Spain and France, with no hold ups, welcome to the UK.

Kathleen navigates us across country, to A1(M), just south of Huntingdon, A1(M) northbound is closed too! We eventually manage to join the A1(M) further North. Getting a bit tired now, and, navigating plus closed roads, have tempers a bit frayed.

We give up on making it home today, and divert to Ferry Meadows CAMC Site (N52.56053, W0.30593), Peterborough.

Storm is following us!

Monday, 2nd March 2020

Oloron Sainte Marie Aire (N43 11' 2" W0 36' 31"), it is raining steadily as we turn in for bed.

At 5 o'clock in the morning, I am woken by Kathleen, there is a storm raging, the wind is so loud, it sounds as if there is an express train running next to the van, thunder is crashing above and lightening of course, plus, rain lashing against the roof. The good news is, it is not cold.

Kathleen insists on getting up, and dressed, her reasoning is, she is to be crushed to death by a falling tree (we are surrounded by trees), she wants to be fully dressed, not sure what difference that will make, personally, but, arguing the point, does not seem like a good option.

So, by 06:30am, we are up, ready, breakfast eaten. Storm has diminished to only torrential rain.

We decide we may as well get going, toward Somport Tunnel.

I convince Kathleen, it may be wise to wait for sunrise, or something approaching it, so, at 07:30, we are on our way.

A wise choice, to wait for a bit of light, there is a lot of debris on the road, and there are several trees down, partially blocking the road, as we head up the valley, toward the tunnel. Re-assuringly, there is are a number of large articulated wagons coming down the valley, suggesting the road ahead is passable.

The rain continues all the way to the Somport Tunnel, and, as we emerge, 5 miles later, in Spain, it is still raining.

The rain eventually stops, and is replaced by a violent wind. 

We arrive at Bonterra Park, (N40.05726, E0.073248) Benicassim just over three hundred miles from Oloron-Sainte-Marie, at about 15:30.

The sun is shining, it is 19C. All is well. We even have time for a stroll along the Promenade, before our evening meal.

Still cold and wet, so, further South!

Saturday, 29th February 2020

Windy, overcaste, with occasional showers, not ideal, so, we press on South.

Approximately 250 miles, in mixed weather (rain/sunshine), and, on mixed roads, free motorway standard, and, shall we say, rural.

The plan is to stay at a Campingcar Park, these are commercial Aires. You get a card, charge it with money (Euro), and use it to gain entry to a network of Aires.

I am led to believe each Aire has similar facilities (ie 6A EHU, service point, marked out bays, hard standing, barrier controlled entry).

I actually applied for the card about two years ago, but, have not used it yet, this will be the first time.

Campingcar Park Libourne (N44.947889, W0.243655), is to be our "first time".

Initial impressions are favourable, ie, the Co-ordinates are accurate, there is signposting, and, the "check in" machine works perfectly. EHU points are well spaced, and, working, parking spaces could be more level, levelling blocks needed. Service point with usual water, waste emptying etc. The immediate area seems fine, eating places nearby (Buffalo Grill), a large leisure lake, with walking paths. On balance, reasonable for 10Euro/night, not bad, but, not as good as Neufchatel-en-Bray.

Initial investigation suggests hat the primary reason for choosing this stop over (ie finding a church, tonight, or tomorrow, for Kathleen's church addiction), is going to be a fail, no church within walking distance.

After driving/sitting all day, we have a walk around the lake (approximately 4 miles), before darkness arrives. 

Sunday, 1st March 2020

Heavy overnight rain, which, thankfully, stops while we disconnect and "do" the service point.

9C and heavy grey cloud, I think the Mediterranean Coast beckons.

As we approach Bordeaux, thunder, lightening and torrential rain, which lasts for about half of the 160 miles to Oloron-Sainte-Marie (N43 11' 2" W0 36' 31"), we have used this Aire before, en-route to Somport Tunnel. Quiet, and free, but, Oloron-Sainte-Marie has seen better days.

Mild 13C, and, not raining.

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. 

To Eberbach, Germany

Friday, 6th September 2019

Another pleasant day is promised, but, today we are leaving Pont-a-Mousson, and heading for Germany.

A quick good bye, to our Dutch neighbours, who have been polite enough to barely mention Brexit, and, away we go, via Lidl, for wine.

Approximately 160 miles, mostly on free, excellent quality, but, very busy German Motorways.

Eberbach is approximately 20 miles upriver from Heidleburg, on the River Necker. Camping Eberbach (N49 27'38" E8 58'57"), is alongside the river, on the opposite bank to most of the town of Eberbach. It is an ACSI Site, 18Euro/night.

The church is located, ready for Sunday! 

Saturday, 7^th September 2019

Camping Eberbach (N49 27'38" E8 58'57") contd...

A grey and cool day, with occasional light showers, only 15C, rather chilly.

Domestic chores, Kathleen interacts with the very bossy young lady in reception, to obtain the key to use the Washing Machines. That should be interesting, a referee will probably be required! 

But, I have no time to spectate, I have to assemble the clothes dryer, under the awning, out of the rain, ready for the wet clothes. 

Actually, the young lady in reception is not really bossy, more sort of straight talking and very efficient, in a German sort of way. They must often wonder, “how on earth did we manage to lose the war?”.

The rain does not appear to have deterred the rowers, why are practicing, up and down the river, followed by coaches giving instructions and encouragement(?) through megaphones. I always thought that rowing was a quintissentiually English pastime, but, it would appear to be something else we have in common with our German cousins.

Sunday, 8th September 2019

Camping Eberbach (N49 27'38" E8 58'57") contd...

Oh dear! It has poured with rain all night, and, it is forecast to continue for most of today, not very good, plus, we are parked on grass, at the bottom of a hill.

Kathleen does her church stuff.

I am delegated the task of searching out a suitable restaurant (with Italian food), for lunch, which I do, but, when El Jefe emerges from church, the mind has changed, and, no longer wants Italian Food, so, we go to a place which appears busy, with locals(?) and Kathleen risks a Vienna Schnitzel, which she very much enjoys.

We decline a 'sweet". and, instead, visit a nearby cake shop, for enormous and very tasty pieces of cake.

The rain comes and goes, all day.

Pont-a-Mousson (Aire) N48 54'4" E6 3'51" contd...

Tuesday, 3rd September 2019

A cool start to the day, 14C, autumn is approaching, but, by lunch time it was a very pleasant 23C.

Cycling in the morning, before the heat builds up, along the cycle route beside the River Moselle, toward Nancy, beyond where we went yesterday, for ten miles.

The cycle track is superb, good smooth tarmac most of the way, and, almost all traffic free.

It occurs to me that we have not seen any passing boat traffic, although the river and sections of canal are clearly meant for major size boats.

For example, we pass this super sized lock at one point.

No sooner have I had this thought, than a barge converted into a pleasure boat comes along. Banners on the sides tell us it is a "cycling cruise" whatever that may be?

We make it back to Pont-a-Mousson to enjoy a cold beer for me, and a shandy (Panache) for Kathleen.

The day is not all pleasure, I have run our of red wine, so, it is necessary to find a shop! Google to the rescue, tells us there is a Lidl 1.6km (1 mile) away. We walk there stock up with goodies, including red wine.

Wednesday, 4th September 2019

A repeat of yesterday, a cool start, 14C, but, by lunch time it was a very pleasant 23C.

Kathleen has a repeat of the "mysterious" tingling and skin blemishes on the legs. This first happened when we were visiting Rome, several years ago. No satisfactory explanation really? Is it the heat, is it walking? A day of rest and relaxation, I think, today.

We book in for another two days.

For me, a cycle ride to Lidl, for various essentials.

Reading the BBC news is depressing, the Brexit saga lumbers on, it looks as if we will be returning to a General Election. Our Dutch neighbours are politely mystified by UK's "goings on".

Thursday, 5th September 2019

A decidedly cool 15C start to the day, but, 20C, with sunshine, by lunch time.

We cycle 25 miles, there and back, along the Moselle, to the North, Pont-a-Mousson - Noveant-sur-Moselle.

A lunch stop, beer and the PMU Bar and chips from the Kebab shop, all paid for by Kathleen.

This latter point may require some clarification. This morning, before we set out, Kathleen was counting how many Euros she had left. Now, we have been in France for ten days, and, she started with 125Euro, this morning, she has 95Euro left, so, only 30Euro spent in tent days, no wonder she has money in the bank!

Camping Les Rives du Lac, (N48 18"10' E4 20" 16") at Geraudot,

Saturday, 31st August 2019

Camping Les Rives du Lac, contd...


Clear blue sky, 34C by lunch time.

Today, was planned as a "take it easy day", after yesterday's efforts, but, we went for a short cycle ride, along the VoieVelo, in the opposite direction to yesterday, and, ten miles later, at Radonvilliers, decided we should turn around and head back, so, twenty miles in total!

Sadly Kathleen's picnic organising skills are not as good as her cycling skills, and, in ten miles, we fail to spot a bar or shop, so, we have to wait until we get back to the van, for sustenance.

We have received the link for Bryan and Joans blog here, but, cannot add a comment for some reason! 

Sunday, 1st September 2019

Camping Les Rives du Lac, contd...

After the excellent weather we have had so far, a disappointing start to the day, a cool 18C, cloudy, with occasional showers.

The plan for today was to have an easy, relaxing day, after our two consecutive "20 miles" days. But, it is Sunday, so, Kathleen is determined to go to church (in Lusigny-sur-Barse). There is a church there, and, Kathleen's enquiries at the adjacent hairdressers, suggested there was a mass at 10:30, Sunday, either that, or, she has made a hair dressing appointment for then!

Well, after pedalling 6.5 miles, there is no Mass. All is not lost, the Carrefour is open, so, we are able to stock up on some essentials, ie wine.

Monday, 2nd September 2019

Leave Géraudot today, heading for Port Plaisance, Nancy, 48.6921, 6.19346, a rather expensive Aire (25Euro/night) with reasonable reviews on Search for a Site website, roughly 125 miles.

On arrival, not impressed, scrappy appearance, some kind of trench digging in progress, alongside very busy road, all that for 17Euro/night, no thank you.

So, we pushed on to Pont-a-Mousson N48 54'4" E6 3'51", an Aire we have used before, some years ago.

Marked out bays. Divided into two sections (surprisingly, named section 1 and section 2),  water and electricity at each bay, good quality showers and toilets available 08:00-20:00 at the modern Capitainaire building, very pleasant Attendant, all for 10Euro/night.

Town approximately five minutes walk.

Once "settled in", Kathleen announces she would like to go for a short cycle ride, to

explore.

We end up doing just over 12 miles along an excellent cycle track alongside the River Moselle.

We spend the evening in the sun, drinking wine, it is a hard life. ;)

A slight puzzle, to me at least, is, why is it called "Pont-a-Mousson", true, there is a bridge (Pont), but, the River is the Moselle, so, why not "Pont-a-Moselle"?

No room at the Inn!

Thursday, 29th August 2019

A much cooler 18C as we leave Amiens.

Approximately 140 easy miles to our next stop, which is planned as Lac d'Orient, Mesnil-St-Pere, but, see below!

We arrive at Mesnil-St-Pere, about 20 miles East of Troyes, as we drive along the very attractive beach on the lake shore, it looks ominously busy. 

We find  Lac d'Orient, (N48 15'48" E4 20' 48"). As we thought, it does not look promising, there is a queue of five or six vans/caravans snaking out of the entrance. Sure enough, it is full, the first time in 12 years of roaming mainland Europe, with nothing booked, that we have been turned away!

The young lady in Reception gives us a slip of paper with several alternative sites (being full is clearly not unusual!).

We settle on Camping Les Rives du Lac, (N48 18"10' E4 20" 16") at Geraudot, about five miles along the lake shore. It is after 17:00 when we arrive there, fortunately, they have spaces available.

Friday, 30th August 2019

A glorious day, 25C, blue sky.

In our haste to find a pitch yesterday, we inadvertently chose the spot where all of the children on the site, gathered to feed the horses, in the adjacent field. 

The children are no real problem, but, they can make a surprising amount of noise, plus, after a couple of falling down incidents, when Kathleen had to use her nursing skills on grazed knees, we decided it would be more restful to move! 

This we duly did, this morning.

Yes, we are grumpy old gets, I agree! 

Next task, since Sunday is approaching, find the Church. 

We cycle along the excellent dedicated cycle route, into the vlllage (Geraudot). There is a church, but, no Mass this Sunday, but, we do find a notice board, with Masses listed at various nearby(?) villages.

We cycle on, still on an excellent tarmac dedicated cycle track (why can't we do things like this in UK?), around the Lac d'Orient. According to the signposting, the cycle track goes all the way to Troyes (30km away), at the 15km remaining point, we turn around and head back, to clock up just over 20 miles in total. We even find a sandwich shop, and, equally importantly, a bar.

After further household chores (ie clothes washing), without a single word of complaint, Kathleen relaxes with a Magnum Ice Cream.

Amiens - Les Parc des Cygnes

Tuesday, 27th August 2019

A hot morning, after an equally hot and humid night.

Approximately 100 miles to Amiens.

The journey is not straight forward. There is a road closure (Route Barre), this of course sends the Sat-Nav into a cycle of "turn around when possible" and "recalculating route", as we attempt to follow the diversion signs. 

What to do? 

I call on my back-up navigator, but, "the voice" says "I have not got a clue where we are", not sure that one is in the Sat-Nav repetoire.

Les Parc des Cygnes (N49.921009, E2.2599) chosen after reading reviews. As always, necessary to remember everyone has different standards. This site has some good points, ie, close to Amiens Centre, with a bus (which is free on hot days, when they wish to discourage cars entering the city!), and, good cycling tracks. It's down side is, facilities are at the bottom end of the scale we consider acceptable, clean, but, basic, and, not adequate in quantity.

It is incredibly hot, 35C! 

Given the heat, we lie about in the shade until late afternoon, then, we venture out on the bicycles, to Amiens and along the River Somme cycle route.

Overnight thunderstorm, very brief.

Wednesday, 28th August 2019

Last nights thunderstorm seems to have cooled thing down a little, a very pleasant morning, 22C.

We need some cash, we have been existing on the few Euro we had left over since last trip! 

Cycle into Amiens, test out my Starling Bank Debit card, to make commission free withdrawals of Euros, it works, sadly, the exchange rate continues to fall (£1 = Euro1.10), it would appear the Money Markets are not as confident as Boris! Who to trust?

We do the inevitable Cathedral visit. There are many photographs in the Cathedral of the restoration works, after WW1.

We follow up with a very pleasant stroll around Amiens, with a sandwich and a beer for lunch. 

How DO the French manage to make their towns/cities so pleasant?

Fortified, we cycle West along the banks of the Somme, according to Google, the excellent cycle track continues on to the Baie de Somme, but, we manage only 21 miles!  

To France, then....?

Wednesday, 21st August 2019 - Sunday 25th August 2019

Preparations begin. 

To be honest, preparation did begin a little sooner, updating Maps in Sat-Nav, checking tyre pressures, checking gas bottles, converting our Tesco points to Tunnel Vouchers (£99 discount, not bad!), etc.

But, today, Wednesday, Kathleen begins "the packing". I am little or no help, since my attitude is "if we have forgotten something, we will either, do without it, or, buy one", after all, France is a civilised Country, with shops etc.

By Saturday, lawns are cut, weeding done, garden is tidy. 

The "standard" before photographs of the garden are taken, ready for the judging, on our return, have the "kids" earned their inheritance?

A final cycle ride, this morning, around our regular Washington Circuit, before packing the bicycles in the Motorhome Garage. Hopefully, we are going to get many miles of pleasant cycling, in the coming weeks.

Monday, 26th August 2019

An early start, well, 09:00.

Three hundred and twenty miles, with minimal hold ups, for a sunny Bank Holiday.

A sticky 30C, not ideal for travelling.

A meal stop at Maidstone, then on to the Tunnel Terminal.

Our most slick crossing ever, we are offered an earlier crossing, for no charge (19:06 instead of 20:20), we are straight on the shuttle, in pole position, to be first off.

By 21:00 French time, we are parked in Cite Europe, N50 55' 57" E1 48'48", and drinking a cool beer!