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).
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.
Sunday, 15th March 2020 Cloudy and cool start to the day. Kathleen away to church, CoronaVirus will not keep her away! Another mass exodus today, but, it was a large group, travelling together, so, maybe it was planned anyway. There has been no official word that travel is restricted. We decided to go for a stroll, along the promenade, only to be stopped by a Guadia Civil, on a motorcycle, and told to return to the camp site, that we were not allowed to stroll around. On return to the site, we checked with Reception, apparently, we are only allowed "out" to go to shop(s), cash machine etc. If you have a dog, apparently one person is allowed out to walk it. Kathleen is all for borrowing someone's dog. This is going to be difficult for Kathleen, who likes to be about and about, she is going to be like a caged lion, I think I am probably in more danger from her, than from CoronaVirus! I have hidden all sharp implements. Perhaps, we will have to organise an "Escape Committee" and dig a tunnel? Monday, 16th March 2020 Just to add to the CoronaVirus lockdown, it is raining!, it is 15C, which, I suppose is a small bonus. We walk to the shop, to buy wine, milk etc. They are restricting how many people are allowed in at once (security guard, or, "bouncer" on the door). So, there is a queue of people, in the rain, waiting to get in. Once in, most stuff appears to available, only thing we wanted to buy, but, could not was dried pasta. Plenty of evidence of people hoarding toilet rolls, which, is, I am told, happening in UK too. Why? Tuesday, 17th March 2020 Raining all night, and, all day, and 15C. According to the news and the local rumour machine, France has closed borders. Speaking to a fellow Brit, this morning, who was packing up to leave. He has checked-out of site, and was already to go, heading for a booked ferry at Dieppe. Got a text to say, his ferry has been cancelled. Plus, it would now appear that Spanish/French Border closed. Hopefully, they will allow him to re-checkin on site and stay. At least we have essentials here. Late afternoon, and, we were issued with more official advice/rules by site staff. It is now no longer to leave the site in a group, or, even, a couple, only one person may go to the shops, walk dog etc. We are being "encouraged" not to use the "facilities", it may be coincidence, but, I had noticed that the hot water for showers, dish washing etc was not longer actually hot, but, more sort of like warm. It is now no longer permitted to entertain other people (or be entertained) on your pitch, one couple, one pitch! This is all becoming too much. I trawl the internet, in an attempt to get accurate information on our options. The Chausson Owners Group on Facebook, proves useful, they have set up a separate message group to share information. Predictably, there is lots of dross, but, there is some useful information from people who have actually done the things they are talking about, rather than just knowing a friend, who knows someone who said.... From this, I deduce, we can can gain entry to France, for the purpose of transit to Calais (or wherever) for ferry/tunnel. In typical French Bureaucratic style, we need to have a "form", or "Attestation" duly completed. These forms are available to download, but, we have no printer, so, I am required to hand write two copies (one for me, one for Kathleen). Fully prepared, we decide to "bite the bullet", we arrange to check out of the site, tomorrow morning, and head for Calais. We pack everything away, ready for an early start. Wednesday, 18th March 2020
No weather report this morning, it is still dark when we get up and pack final items, ready to leave at 7:00am, when reception opens. One bonus, it is not raining. We head for the Somport Tunnel, and Oloron-Sainte Marie (N43 11'2" W0 36'30"), taking the most direct route, (approximately 300 miles), although, in fairness, it probably was not the quickest, given some of the steep climbs and twisting roads. We leave before having our breakfast, a very rare thing for me, breakfast is sacred! The plan is to stop for breakfast after about two hours. So, as we approach Morella, we spot a lay-by, with Motorhome Service area. As we turn in, we notice, Guardia Civil car parked. We are told to move on, no stopping, not even for a rest. So, breakfast does not happen until about 10:30, by which time we are in really rural section. The roads are amazingly empty of traffic, virtually no cars, predominantly HGV's. We see only one other Motorhome. A small scare, as we approach the Somport Tunnel, after a lunch stop, a Guardia Civil car comes up behind us, blue lights and sirens on. For a moment, I think he may be after us, since there are no other vehicles around, but, when I move over slightly, to give him the opportunity to pass, he goes streaking off down the road. Only to return about five minutes later, minus siren, but, blue lights still going. Perhaps his carry out order was ready? Kathleen has worked herself up into a state of high anxiety, dreaming up all of the worst case scenarios, but, when we arrive at the Somport Tunnel, there are a group of Police chatting and smoking, they totally ignore us. As we emerge, in France, there is absolutely no sign of officialdom, we simply emerge, and drive on.
We arrive at Oloron-Sainte Marie Aire(N43 11'2" W0 36'30")at about 15:30. There are (official) spaces for five vans, and, there are two Brits "in residence" when we arrive. Soon, another two Brits arrive, a Belgian, and four Dutch. So, no fewer than ten vans squeezed in. Even more arrive as the evening wears on. Tomorrow morning is going to be interesting, when we all come to leave!
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.
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.
Monday, 27th February 2017. A dull and cool morning. When we come to pay (it is all automated, ticket on the way in, present ticket to machine, pay on exit), we find the charging structure is not quite as we had been led to believe. We thought it was 7Euro for twenty four hours, but, it is 7Euro for the twenty four hours 08:30 - 08:30. We arrived at about 16:30 (part way through a twenty four hour period) and, we are leaving at 09:00, which is in the NEXT twenty four hour period, so, we have to pay 14Euro! For that price, we could have stayed on a site, with full facilities! I doubt we will be back.
So we leave Poitiers Futurscope (N46 39.813' : E0 22.094'), 14Euro lighter, and head for Mont de Marsan (N43 54.146' : W0 31.186'), an Aire, supposedly with EHU and Toilets. Well, we find the Aire, but, no EHU, no Toilets and no water. Since it is "only" 14:00, we decide to head nearer to the Somport Tunnel and set the Sat-Nav for Oloron Sainte Marie (N43 11.032' : W0 36.511'). Approximately 280miles later, we arrive at Oloron Sainte Marie. Fortunately, the Aire at Oloron Sainte Marie is exactly as described. Marked spaces for 7 Vans, (with a maximum stay of 48 hours) but, eventually with 11 present! Surprisingly. most of them are Brits. The Aire is virtually in the town, Kathleen has a break from cooking, and we find a little bar serving food. Despite the fact the Aire is just off the road, and, is in town, it is surprisingly quiet.
Tuesday 28th February, 2017 A mild but dull morning.
We are away early, 08:00, the thought being to get along the much hyped approach to the Somport Tunnel, before the traffic builds up, with the intention of making Benicassim, today (approximately 340 miles). What an anti-climax, true, the road is twisty and narrow, and, you have to be alert for the occasional articulated truck hurtling down the gradient from Spain, but, there are no difficult bits and no significant gradients. The road on the Spanish side of the tunnel is even better, almost motorway standard dual carriageway for most of the journey, and, very light traffic. Plus, the road is almost empty, in both directions. The Somport Tunnel is fairly new (built around 2003), and it shows, well lit, and well signed. According to Google, it is the longest road tunnel in the Pyrenees at 5.3 miles long. It cost 251Million Euro to build, which seems pretty reasonable to me, as these things go!
Eventually, we arrive at Bonterra Park, Benicassim, at about 17:00, a long day, but, the sky is blue, the sun is shining!
