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).
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.
Annecy has much in common with the Lake District, back home. For example, lakes and mountains, after yesterdays rain, I will have to add rain to that list.
We have had several days of glorious weather, but boy when it rains, it certainly rains!
The rain went on for the whole of Tuesday.
We entertained ourselves, for part of the afternoon, by watching the Dutch couple next to us, dismantle their awning in the pouring rain, and managing to keep everything dry. In the awning they had a full camp kitchen, table, chairs etc etc, it all had to be taken apart, thoroughly shaken to get rid of the creepy-crawlies, and then stowed in the car.
They are off tomorrow, and heading for Luxembourg.
Wednesday morning and it was still pouring down.
Having amused ourselves watching them working in the rain yesterday, I felt obliged to help the Dutch couple, push their caravan off their pitch, because the wheels were beginning to settle into the grass surface, which was saturated with rain.
Then we had to pack our gear up in the rain, and head off.
We are heading to a place called Santenay, between Chalon-sur-Saone and Beaune, in the Burgundy Region.
It is quite a long journey, by our standards, we normally do only a couple of hours driving per day in the Campervan.
We are still on kat-nav, and the route is reasonably complicated.
Leave Annecy on the N508, which takes us to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, then N84 to Pont d’Ain. On this stretch of road at a place called Cerdon, there is an incredibly deep gorge, which the road wends it’s way down and into. I had not realised how high up we were, partly because the rain and low cloud were obscuring the view. At Cerdon, a break in the cloud allowed us to see the drop into the gorge on our right. It was too dull for photographs, but there would have been no available hands to hold the camera, even if it had been bright and sunny.
From Pont d’Ain, it is the N75 to Bourg-en-Bresse, then the N79 to Macon. Here we join the N6.
I am giving all of this detail, because when you read on, you may just want to pass this way!
The rain stops by lunch time, but it remains cloudy and grey, and we stop at a large aire come Service Station for lunch.
Here we see an interesting sight, prostitutes in white vans!
Kathleen first noticed that we had parked (inadvertently of course), near a white van, driven by a blonde (dyed) woman, dressed in a VERY revealing outfit.
Soon another white van arrived, driven by another blonde (dyed).
Once given the clue, Kathleen soon spotted another three white vans, two with blonde (dyed) drivers. The third one with no sign of the driver, presumably she was in the back doing business.
The sight of prostitutes plying their trade by the roadside is quite common in Italy, but, in white vans is a new one. I suppose why not, you get mobile Valet services, mobile mechanics, mobile windscreen replacement, why not mobile prostitutes?
After this bit of excitement we rejoined the N6, to Chalon-sur-Saone, and then on to Chagny, and Santenay via a small local road.
Santenay, Des Sources Santenay, ASCI2011-1321
The site is fine, not the best I have ever been on, but facilities are perfectly adequate, and it is tidy and quiet.
The site was recommended by an old chap (yes, I know I am an old chap, but he was really old, ie 74 plus), who we met at Annecy, he recommended it based on the excellent cycling.
He was certainly right about that, according to the cycle route map we were given at Reception, there are hundreds of kilometres of cycle routes, along the canals and through the vineyards.
Given that the weather had improved a bit on Tuesday, we set off on one of the cycle tracks, heading in the direction of Chalon-sur-Saone.
We had a bit of a false start finding the track, for future reference, on leaving the site, you turn right at the railway crossing, and cross the railway line.
The track is excellent and follows the Canal du Centre, it is very pretty, with plenty of passing pleasure craft.
This former lock keepers cottage (all of the locks are automated now) caught our eye, it has an idyllic spot.
The track was so good, and the cycling so easy, we were soon within five miles of Chalon-sur-Saone.
Kathleen (surprisingly, to me), was all for going on to Chalon, which we did. Here, a bit of disappointment, the signposting, which up until this point had been spot-on, disappeared completely, and try as we might, we could not find our way to the town centre!
Undaunted, we stopped for our picnic, and then headed back along the canal.
At one of the locks, we spotted this monster, just entering the lock, with only inches to spare all round.
We lingered to watch. It is quite fascinating, in only a few minutes the lock was filled with water, and the boat was at our level, ready to float out.
Our return took us all of the way along the cycle track to Santenay, by which time we had cycled 34.5 miles. Kathleen prefers to express it in kilometres (55 kilometres), since it sounds even further.
A drink was called for, so we sat in the village square beside this magnificent fountain and had a couple of beers each.
The ordering of drinks turned into an amusing sequence.
The norm is, a waiter/waitress comes and asks what you want. After almost five minutes of sitting there, you know who was becomming impatient.
So I decided to go inside and order our drinks. Prompted by my action, a woman from another group also went inside.
Here, a young waitress was having a bad expresso coffee machine day. There was froth everywhere, and she had a queue of customers waiting inside as well as outside.
Soon a very bossy and officious older waitress appeared, instead of doing the sensible thing, ie let the young (and presumably untrained) waitress do the simple thing, ie serve the beers, whilst she attended to the expresso machine, she instead took over everything, and soon had chaos with orders mixed up etc etc.
Myself, and the lady who followed me inside to order, went outside to wait for our drinks to be delivered, since things were getting fraught inside.
I briefly explained to Kathleen what was going on. Then the bossy waitress appeared, and literally banged our drinks on the table, and similarly our neighbours. This sent Kathleen into fits of the giggles, and she was soon joined by the occupants of the other table. The bossy waitress was not amused!
The end of our trip is in sight.
We are now heading, slowly, North and West, to arrive in Dunkirk for our ferry early on Friday 10th.
We still have a week to go of course, but more of our time will be taken up with travelling, than has been for the past few weeks.
Tonight we plan to stay at an Aire, Kathleen has picked out three “possibles” from our “All the Aires France, 3rd Edition”, book. We prefer to have Electric hook-up if possible, but we can manage without.
The reason for choosing more than one, of course, is to allow for there being no spaces, or the Aire not being as good as described.
We are still on kat-nav, and past experience is that directions in the Aires Book are often suspect.
For anyone reading, who may come this way, here is what we thought of them.
Our first choice is at Decize (Page 172, 60, N46 49.914’ E003 27.664’), the description in the book is very promising. We find it relatively easily, although we have yet to see Allee Marcel Merle, mentioned in the directions). It is alongside a river, and there were about ten vans parked along the riverbank. In other respects, the reality was not much like the book, unfortunately. Only a service point, with charging outlet, rather than Electric hook-up, and the whole area was rather shabby. There were several “fairground” type trailers parked up, and the final straw for Kathleen, a few white vans (no drivers visible!).
We decide to move on to our second choice. St Benin D’Azy (Page 168, 44, N47 00.067’ E003 23.721’). There is one van already there, and plenty of room for (9) more, This is fine. It is near the road, but still quiet. Again effectively no Electric hook-up, but a service point with a single electric point delivering 1hr electricity for 2Euro. The village is pleasant, with an Intermache supermarket. We decide to at least stop and look around. There appears to be only one bar, which we visited. Kathleen had an amusing (to me anyway) experience with the “continental” style toilet here, but I am forbidden from describing it in the blog. You must ask her about it.
It is only four o’clock in the afternoon, and we have exhausted the village attractions, with no electricity we cannot even play our music (well one of can with the ipod battery and head phones), but the docking station requires mains power, so entertainment options are limited. We have no reservations about stopping the night here, but we decide to risk moving on to our third choice, in the hope there is space and it is OK.
La Charite sur Loire (Page 170, 50, N47 10.480’ E003 00.674’).
This is actually on an island in the Loire. The book says space for three vans. But, in fact, the Aire is split in two. There are spaces for three vans on the river bank (there were actually four vans there when we arrived), and a further six in Quai Romain Mollot, where the service point is located. The street (Quai Romain Mollot) is mentioned in the directions, but the street sign is so small (and only visible when approaching from the opposite river bank to Charite sur Loire!), that you would have to be very observant to spot it when driving!
We were lucky, we got the last space in the area near the service point. Effectively no electric hook-up, but two charging points. You pay for Electric/Water, if needed, using your credit/debit card.
It is in an urban area, but very quiet, we heard no noise during our stay, and woke to birdsong.
You can walk across the bridge to the main part of town, which you see here, from the bridge.
The town has enough to amuse yourself for a few hours with a choice of bars and Cafes.
There is a rather magnificent and ancient church. Next to it (in the courtyard at the main door), is the tourist office, and (important to all Aire users) good toilets. That is “real” toilets, no “continental” style, Kathleen is relieved (no pun intended, ha ha) to see.
I had thought I had taken enough photographs of churches, but this was rather impressive, in an ancient sort of way.
as you can see, from the green damp stains, on the left in this photigraph, it is not the best maintained or restored church I have seen, but, still impressive,
from the outside as well as the inside.
Finally, probably of more interest to most of you who may be reading this, and who may pass this way.
If you go to the auberge/bar/cafe near the main door of the church, you can get a half litre pitcher of “vin rose”, for only 5 Euro. It is good stuff, even Kathleen remarked that she knew she’d had a drink.
Saturday morning, and off we go.
An easy run, much of it along a “free” motorway, brings us to Gien.
Poilly-lez-Gien/Gien, Camping Touristique de Gien, ASCI2011-1297
We are again on kat-nav. If you are trying to find this site from the directions in the ASCI book, it is important to remember a few points. The site is NOT on the Gien side of the river, it is on the opposite bank. If you arrive on a Saturday morning (as we did), there is a market on the Gien side of the river, and the traffic is horrendous!
Once we find it, the site is good, right on the banks of the Loire, with good views over to Gien, on the opposite bank remember.
We have been neglecting our chores, and our first task is to catch up on some washing, here you see Kathleen being the super efficient camping housewife.
Chores done, we walk into Gien.
The intention is to find the church, in readiness for Kathleen tomorrow.
As you can see, it does not take much finding. It is massive and right next to an equally huge Chateau (covered in scaffolding unfortunately).
When we eventually make it to the top of the hill, where the church is located, we find it is a mixture of old and new.
The bell tower is original 14th century. The remainder was rebuilt in 1954, after being destroyed by a bomb, and subsequent fire, on 15th June 1940, during World War 2.
The current church is dedicated to Joan of Arc. The information leaflet informs us, there have been three previous religious buildings on this site.
The first, a chapel, was built along with a castle, in the 9th century, by order of Emperor Charlemagne.
In 1514, the royal collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Stephen and built by order of Anne de Beaujeu, Countess of Gien, daughter of King Louis 19th. The 14th century bell tower was retained. This church was damaged during the French Revolution, and deconsecrated in 1828.
In 1832, the church dedicated to Saint Peter was opened on the site, still with the 14th century bell tower.
The main part of the church is now built in brick. Actually, according to the information leaflet, it is built in reinforced concrete, and clad with bricks. Perhaps they are not taking any chances this time.
Hey!, you get everything with me, Geography lessons, History lessons, there is no end to it!
If you come this way, the “Pause Cafe”, in the traffic free main street, have free wifi, plus cold beer of course.
Whilst we were sitting at the Pause Cafe, Kathleen remarked that it felt oppresively hot, as if thunder was due, sure enough by 20:00, we had a thunderstorm, tried to capture the lightning, but only managed the rain drops!
I do not know if thunderstorms are to be expected at this time of year in France, but we do seem to have had quite a few. Always short and sharp fortunately. I wonder if it is associated with the ash cloud from the Icelandic Volcano?
Sunday, Kathleen is up abnormally early and going through the hair washing ritual, prior to going to church. I obtain an English newspaper, and catch up with the news, after church, we have lunch in the restaurant at the campsite.
There are several promising cycle rides signposted from here. One in particular to Briare looks good. But there is no chance of getting Kathleen on a bicycle on the same day she has washed her hair. We will have to save that for next time we pass this way.
Believe it or not, after a hot and sunny day, another thunderstorm at 18:00, which lasts for an hour, and then clears into a beautiful evening.
We leave Gien on Monday morning, and head towards Chartres. This is a route we have not used for some time (N154), Chartres, Dreux, Evereux, and ultimately on past Rouen. But for today, we stop off at Brezolles, to do another night at an Aire.
Brezolles, All the Aires France 3rd edition Page 196, N48 41.450’ E001 04.183’
When we arrive, at about 15:00, only two other French vans here.
By 20:00, there are eight French vans, us, and one other British van.
There is no electricity, only fresh water, and waste disposal,, both free.
It is a pleasant spot, near the road, but not too noisy, and the traffic diminishes to almost nothing overnight.
The town has a bar and shops, and although (like us) it is probably passed it’s best before date, it is quite picturesque (the town, that is).
Kathleen tested out the toilet, and it is a “real” toilet, no complaints on that score.
As we walked into town, there was a bit of excitement!, everyone is out on the street to watch.
A really large load (it is the blade from a wind turbine), was guided through the village by an escort of two motorcycle police.
As you can see from the picture, this thing is massive.
It gets stuck and cannot move forward at this point, because of a car which had been coming in the opposite direction.
The police motorcyclist instructs the car driver to move onto the pavement, until he is almost touching the window of the shop, and the driver of the large load managed to squeeze past.
Just as well, I would not like to contemplate reversing that thing!
Job done, and like police everywhere, they just rode off and left the chaos of traffic behind them, to sort itself out.
There is a church in the village, but it does not appear to be in use. I say that, because the door does not appear to have been opened for about a hundred years!
In common with almost all French villages, however, the clock works, and chimes every hour. This one is rather amusing, since it plays a little tune (oh Claire de la lunar, we think it was). As you may guess from the last remark, “tune” is perhaps an optimistic description.
The good news is, the chimes stop over night. Whoever looks after it, must be an early riser, because the chimes begin again at seven o’clock in the morning.
On the few occasions we have used aires, we have noticed, the French seem to retire early (ie by 22:00), I would therefore expect them to be first up, but no, quite often we are up, ready and away before they have even put in an appearance. Today is different, one of the French is up and on his way by 08:30, by which time I am just starting my chores (ie empty the rubbish, dispose of Kathleen’s empty gin bottle, etc).
Tuesday, lunch time, and we arrive at one of our old favourite sites, but which we have not visited for a couple of years.
• It is only about a mile off the “free” motorway (A28), which takes you toward Calais/Dunkirk.
• You can make Calais/Dunkirk in only 2 – 3 hours, so it is plausible to stay here before catching the ferry, or as a first stop off the ferry.
• There is a choice of three supermarkets (Le Clerc, Lidl, and Aldi) all within walking distance.
• There is a church in walking/cycling distance.
• There is a cycle track at the gate, running to Dieppe in one direction, if you feel that energetic and Les Forges d’Eau in the other.
• It is only 11Euro (£10) a night.
Phew!, sorry, that is a massive post. But we have had no reliable internet for almost a week.
This site did not have internet, last time we were here, but, now true to form, he has done it well. Only 3Euro for 24 hours, and the speed is superb. The wifi covers only 80% of the site, but if you are out of range, he has provided a little "office", with seats and power points, where you can bring your laptop to.
