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, 15th September 2016 It could not last, just as the weather forecast said it would, hot sunshine comes to an end. Cloudy and a cool 20C, with a stiff breeze and then, eventually, in the afternoon rain. A last ride out on the scooter, amazingly, at Kathleen's request, she is REALLY getting into this "bike chick" thing! Trailer all packed up with bikes, scooter, ready for our departure tomorrow. Friday, 16th September 2016 Cloudy and cool as we leave Saverne, and then, steady rain as we travel South.
We have taken a novel approach today, we checked out, and even discussed, the route, using Sat-Nav, Map, and Google. We chose the Google Maps prefered route, no problems, peace and harmony all the way.
The rain stops and the sun emerges as we arrive at Au Fraiteaux, Plombieres-les-Bains/Ruaux, N47 57'55" E6 24'59". The sunshine does not last however, by evening, it is pouring with rain. Au Fraiteaux is an ASCI site, 15Euro / night. We pass through Plombieres-les-Bains, en-route to the campsite. It is a Harrogate (North Yorkshire) look alike, very pleasant. The site is in a village (Ruaux) approximately 4km outside of Plombieres-les-Bains, definitely not cycling country, as far as Kathleen is concerned, there are very big hills!
Ruaux is a pleasant, sleepy little place, but, the only shop, bar, cafe, appear to be at the campsite. The only functioning "service" in the village appears to be a very well kept church. The jury is out (ie, that translates as "Kathleen has not decided"), as to, if we stay here more than overnight. If we do, the scooter will have to be pressed into service to get around.
The "main" street of the village, is decorated with bunting, suggesting that some event has just taken place, or, is about to take place. Given the lack of any shops, bars or cafes, it is difficult to imagine what form such an event will take! The journey, as it unfolds
It must be so difficult, being a woman. Today, is hair care day, well hare care most of the morning, I suppose I should say, wouldn't want to exaggerate. How much easier it is for me, hair care consists of combing my hair, once, or possibly twice, per day. Instead of a back full of "products", driers, straighteners, brushes, etc, I have, a comb. While the hair marathon takes place, I do my chores, ie, dishes, fill water tank, empty waste, take empty bottles to the recycling point, take rubbish to the bins. The hair marathon is still in progress, so, I set off for Lidl, on the scooter, for supplies. On my way, I notice a sign advertising LeClerc, so, I head for that instead, and return with required supplies, plus a few "treats", ie strawberry tarts, for elevenses. While in LeClerc, I checked the place out for some "must haves" which Kathleen "needs", ie sweat band for hair, "strappy" tops, both of which LeClerc have. So, return to van, have coffee, scoff treats. Now, difficult decision time, "Helmet on freshly "done" hair, or, no clothes shopping", what an agonising decision. Clothes shopping wins, return to LeClerc with Kathleen on the back of the scooter. Definitely becoming a "biker chick", is Kathleen, even admits to enjoying the ride to LeClerc and showing enthusiasm for our next outing. Sweat band, and "strappy" top acquired.
The rest of the day is spent lazing in the sun. Tuesday, 13th August 2016 After yesterdays laziness, today, we go cycling, along the Marne - Rhine Canal to Lutzelbourg and a little beyond.
It promises to be another hot day, so, we are away early (for us), ie 10:00am. The cycle track, along the canal, is every bit as good as the one heading toward Strasbourg, smooth, tarmac surface, excellent.
Lutzelborg is a beautiful little village, alongside the canal, but, the only place open, appears to be a small kiosk selling cans of beer, and sandwiches. A total of 20 miles with a stop in Lutzelborg for a beer, and return to Saverne for lunch. Despite the heat, and the lunch, we manage to cycle up the hill, slowly it is true, but, we do make it.
The rest of the afternoon we laze in the sun, and watch the horses at the Equestrian Centre, next door. Then, a little excitement, new neighbours arrive. A "young" English couple, with two small children, in an enormous twin axle caravan, towed by a Range Rover. They are on their way back to the UK, from Italy, having been to watch the Italian Grand Prix, in Monza,plus Motorcycle Racing, somewhere else in Italy, and are here for a one night stop-over, en-route to the Tunnel. Wednesday, 14th August 2016 It is another beautiful sunny, 30C day. Kathleen loves the adventure of traveling, in a foreign country, on public transport, so, today, we ride on the scooter to the railway station in Saverne, and take the train into Strasbourg. The helpful Ticket Office Clerk, guides us through the numerous options, including age concessions, to get the best deal on a return ticket (14Euro each, for a 30 mile train journey, about the same as the UK, I think). Age Concessions are one of the few occasions when Kathleen is quite ready to admit her age. The train is impressive, on-time, clean, and fast. The railway station is a short walk from the attractive part of Strasbourg called "Petit France", presumably from it's time as a German City. We cannot come to a city, without the shops luring Kathleen to at least look, a "bargain" purchase in H&M Strasbourg, and her day is complete (yet another "top"). While searching for some where to have lunch (there are hundreds of places, no real need to search!), we come upon a small cafe on the edge of the Petit France area, called Cafe con Leche.
It is a quaint little place, a range of French, Moroccan and Spanish light meals, with one of the waiters doubling up as live entertainment on the Spanish Guitar. Even Kathleen, who is not usually enthusiastic about eating places, is impressed by the place.
Next, a little wander through the streets, I just love the atmosphere of European towns and cities, they are so full of character and people friendly. Here in Strasbourg, the streets are shared between pedestrians, cyclists, trams, and the occasional delivery van, but, it all works, with no ill humour.
Next, the inevitable visit to the Cathedral, only to find, that, apparently, in France, even the Cathedral closes for lunch! So, we are forced to have a beer, while we wait, and, in doing so, meet a couple of fellow Brits, who are also roaming around in a Campervan, and are staying at the Stellplatz in Kehl, just over the Rhine in Germany.
The Cathedral open, we do the obligatory visit, and Kathleen lights candles for all of the children, grandchildren, etc, etc
Eventually, we make our way back to the railway station, and catch a train back to Saverne. The scooter is still parked, exactly where we left it, in with a jumble of bicycles, scooters and motorcycles, parked in true French style, without any regard to various signs, prohibiting parking.
Kathleen, transforms herself into a domestic goddess, and rustles up some food, but, not before a quick clothes change, into the newly acquired top. Well, you have to get your priorities right, haven't you?
Saturday, 10th September 2016 A beautiful morning, with a sunny day in prospect. A trip to the shop, to buy essentials, ie Red Wine. There is a Lidl (Kathleen's favourite shop) nearby. We head off on the scooter, Kathleen has entered into the "biker chick" role, no protective gear, except her helmet, sitting on the back with skimpy top and shorts. I inadvertently buy, what for me, is an expensive bottle of wine, a St Emillion, which was on the shelf beside some 2.50Euro wine, but, was actually 8.75Euro. I will have to drink it VERY slowly.
Before the heat builds up too much, we cycle 16 miles along the Marne - Rhine Canal, towards Strasbourg. I try to convince Kathleen we should cycle to Strasbourg (25 miles away), but, she is not having it, quickly working out that 25 miles there means 25 miles back! Superb cycle track, running along the canal, well surfaced, clear signposting at junctions, and, not too busy.
Back to Saverne, for a cooling beer, and some chips.
After lunch, we chill, and watch the activities at the Equestrian Centre next door. When we were in Spain (Benicassim) last year, we met a chap, Alan, I think his name was, a retired Ambulance Driver, and fellow disliker of dogs. He posed the question, "do dogs actually LIKE going on holiday with their owners?". Think about it, why should a dog, bred for cold climates, with a good covering of fur, enjoy baking in Spain at 30C?
Watching the activities at the Equestrian Centre made me wonder if horses enjoyed running round and round in a circle, in the hot sun, with a teen age girl riding on their back? I think not, more a case, as the horse emerges from it's stable, of "oh! hell, it Saturday, a day of running round in circles in the sun, great, just what I need!" Sunday, 11th September 2016
Sunday, church for Kathleen, no matter where we are, she virtually never misses Mass on a Sunday. We cycle into town, all down hill. Meanwhile I check out the town for places which look promising to have lunch.
After church, a cool beer, to while away the time until lunch. I have found, what I hope is a good place to eat, Restaurant de la Marne, right beside the Marne - Rhine Canal, and overlooking the lock. Kathleen is an incredibly fussy eater, so, trying to be helpful, I suggest an item on the menu, Carpaccio de Beef. It is beef I reason, cannot go far wrong. Big mistake, it is beef, but cooked extremely rare, cut very thin, and with lots of "healthy" olive oil. Now, where food is concerned, Kathleen only does "like", "don't like", there is no inbetween. The bad news is, this was a "don't like", even worse, I had ordered the same thing, so, could not simply swap meals with her. So, I ate two lots of Carpaccio de Beef, and a portion of salad, Kathleen ate all of the chips, and, a portion of salad, which she had carefully instructed the waiter, "sans sauce", ie, no dressing. The good news was, the wine was good and the sweets were good. Lesson learned, "Do not suggest things off the menu, unless, you are CERTAIN, you know what they are". After beers, wine and food, the hill on the way back to the campsite defeats us about two thirds of the way up!
A brilliantly sunny day at Camping Bon Accueil, Alzingen. Yesterday, while chatting to an English couple, on the site (a much younger couple than us), Kathleen acquired a map, showing several cycle routes, around Luxembourg. Although the map looks well used, it is unclear, from the conversation, if they had actually completed any of the routes. It is not a good start that we cannot find the campsite on the map. Undeterred, we set off.
We are (we think), following Cycle Route 1, along the River Alvette, toward Luxembourg City, the route is excellent, almost level, with a smooth tarmac surface. Soon, we even come to the outskirts of Luxembourg City, although, on the downside, the "almost level" has gone, and we encounter some steep hills, as the route leaves the river bank. A downhill stretch, which, in the way of these things, does not seem nearly as significant as the hills we have gone up, and, we regain the river bank, in a very pleasant park.
A little break, and a drink of water, refreshes us for the next phase. The map suggests, we simply follow Route 1, along the river, until we reach the junction with Route 15, which we achieve with only one small error. The map then shows a steep ascent, certainly no error there, the hill is 1 in 5 for about half a mile, a short level section, and then it goes up again for about a mile. We are off the bikes and pushing by now of course. Only moderate complaints. There are signposts, but, the places named are not on our map. We eventually find what we think is the way, but, soon realise, we are wrong. We are in a rather smart urban area, and there are two builders working on a property. Unfortunately, they are Portuguese, and, although very pleasant, they are as unfamiliar with the area as we are. Eventually, by sheer chance, or, was it excellent navigating by me?, we encounter the riverside park again, and are able to retrace our route, back to the campsite. Twenty three miles and we have seen lots of the Luxembourg countryside. Friday, 9th September 2016
The road selected by the Sat-Nav was closed. The diversion had a low bridge, too low for us, the Sat-Nav did not pick it up, resulting in a three point turn in a small village. The remainder of the journey was completed, Sat-Navless, and in more or less silence. Enough said on this subject, it is sensitive. Kathleen and the old-fashioned map got us here. We have been to Saverne many years ago, before our campervan travels. It is more or less as we remembered it, very pretty and lively. The site, Seasonova Les Portes d'Alsace, N46 43' 52" E7 21' 19", is an ASCI site, and, only 15Euro/night. It is also very pleasant. The weather is excellent, sunny, and 27C.
We have, what we hope, is an excellent spot, with a view of the nextdoor Equestrian Centre, where children are being instructed in horse riding.
One slight downside to the site, is, it is at the top of a rather long hill, when coming from the Town Centre. But, we have the scooter.
A ride into town, for coffee and ice-cream, and a chance to watch the boats on the canal which passes through the town-centre. There are two boats passing through the lock. It is apparent, that the two women, in the first boat, have never used a lock before! The big question is, will the well endowed woman lose her, rather skimpy, bikini top, as she struggles to throw the mooring rope over the bollard? Kathleen tells me, the woman has a pot belly, can't say I had noticed. The French chap, in the boat behind, shouts instructions to them, and, eventually, the succeed in exiting the lock.
Wednesday 7th September, 2016 One of our "plans" was to visit Saverne, a place we went to several years ago, when we were still working, and spent our holidays touring Europe by car. Last night, we entered the details into the Sat-Nav, to see how far it was from Le Cateau en Cambresis. At 300+ miles, a little bit more than we wanted to drive today was the answer. But, I did notice that the Sat-Nav calculated route took us via Belgium and Luxembourg.
I recalled, we had stayed at a rather pleasant campsite, in Luxembourg, on a previous trip, and so, it was decided, we would go to Luxembourg, approximately 150 miles. A combination of the one hour time difference, and, the previous two days of driving catching up with me (well, I am getting on a bit), means we "sleep in" and are not out of bed until a disgraceful 8:30.
Not to worry, a mostly traffic free journey, with a stop for a lunch break.
I don't usually make a "big thing" of driving "incidents", after all, for anyone who travels by road a lot, they are common place, the world is full of idiots, but, here is a supreme bit of idiot overtaking. This Renault Clio overtakes me, despite a large wagon, towing an equally large trailer, coming toward us at speed, on a single carriageway.
At least the lane markings are on his side! I bet he needed a change of underwear when he got home, at least, if he got home, with driving like that!
We arrive at Alzingen, Camping Bon Accueil, N49 50'22" E6 9'36", shortly after lunch-time. An ACSI site, 17Euro/night. It is sunny and hot, 27C. Video of Journey.
Tuesday, 6th September 2016. Canterbury Park and Ride, New Dover Road. The Canterbury Aire was remarkably quiet overnight, so, an excellent nights sleep. We are out of bed, not too early, breakfasted and ready to go by 8:00. It is surprisingly warm, but, cloudy. I walk across to the "office" building, where the payment machine is located, pay my £4, and the machine verifies the ticket, too allow us to exit the barrier, or, so I think. There are two exit barriers, side by side, as we arrive, another Campervan is at one barrier, with the occupant feeding their ticket into the slot marked "tickets". We pull up at the second barrier. It is clear, "campervan 1" has a problem, the barrier will not open. We try, no joy, the machine keeps displaying the message "ticket entered wrong way up". Despite trying all four variations of "right way up", no barriers open. In the few minutes this little pantomime has been in progress, two more vans have arrived to exit the barrier. There is a "help" button, this summons a "voice" which tells us resubmit the ticket in various orientations (all of which we have already tried). By now, we have a positive gaggle of excited OAP's, all anxious to be on their way. One lady suggests our chances are not good, since the "help" button is probably connecting us to a call centre in India.
Eventually, a pleasant chap arrives, he clearly had a very quick flight, or, he was not, in fact, in India. He examines our tickets, and has no explanation, other than, "they have changed the system recently", moral of the story, "if it ain't broken, do not fix it". The pleasant chap summons the control room, and, barriers are raised manually, to let us out. An easy drive to Dover, and, we are on the ferry at 10:00. But, dissatisfaction is in the air, normally, when loading, we are directed up a ramp and, onto the ship.
Today, along with dozens of other Campervans and Caravans, we are directed down a ramp and into the bowels of the ship. Worse is to come, we are not even in one of the middle rows, which will get off first, but, we get the worst of the worst, ie, last in the row, on the far right.
Kathleen is displeased. Otherwise, the crossing is totally smooth and uneventful.
We dock on time at 12:30, UK time, 13:30 French time. But, since we are, almost, last off the ship, there are several hundred vehicles making their way to the A25, and, they are all in front of us! True, we are arriving Dunkirk, not Calais, but, contrary to media reports, there are no hold ups, and not an immigrant to be seen.
We stop off for lunch and then drive to one our regular stop overs, LeCateau-en-Cambresis (N 50.10206, E 3.55513). It is sunny and a quite sultry 25C. Another culinary masterpiece is produced by Kathleen (and Patak's), in double quick time. The journey, Canterbury to Le Cateau-en-Cambresis
Excellent journey, traffic moving all of the way, amazingly, no road works, and, weather warm and sunny. We have been told about Canterbury, New Dover Road, Park and Ride. Amazingly for the UK, they have created a Motorhome Aire, where you can stop off, before/after taking the Ferry (or Tunnel, although it is some distance from the Tunnel). It is certainly proving popular, when we arrive, the designated area is full, and an "overflow" area is in operation (with spaces available). For once, Google let us down, the Postcode given did not take us to the correct place, Co-ordinates are N51 15'46" : E1 5' 57". It is simple to operate, on arrival, take a ticket, at the barrier. Shortly before you leave, pay using your ticket, at the pay machine. Machines take cash only (including Notes) and give change if necessary. This is not the end of the story, but, we do not know it yet, see tomorrows entry! This is I suspect the longest drive of our trip, at approximately 350 miles, with a brief stop for lunch, we arrive at about 17:00. Kathleen quickly dons her Masterchef outfit, and, with a combination of her culinary skills, and the advent of home freezer technology, has a Lamb Dinner, on the table by 18:00, as she never tires of telling me, she is a marvel. The Journey, as it unfolds.
