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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.
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.
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.
Family events (first grand-daughter's wedding), mean we are leaving on our annual European Trip, later than usual.
The weather in the UK has been appalling, thanks to Storm Denis. It would appear from the news that half the country is under water, although, here on Tyneside, we seem to have escaped the worst of it, a lot of strong winds and rain.
But, Monday 17th Feb 2020 is mild and dry, so, Lawns are cut and garden tidied, ready for someone (Claire?) to look after things in our absence, it should be a month or two, before the grass begins growing in earnest.
Tuesday 18th Feb, another dry day, so, packing continues, bicycles etc secured in rear Garage.
Kathleen is socialising with her "school friends" (all in their 70's now, so, no longer wearing their school uniforms!).
Wednesday 19th February through Saturday. 22nd Feb are taken up with "last minute essential tasks", prior to wedding, and departure:
- hair "do" etc., not for me, I hasten to add ;) .
- lunch with sisters, for a last minute gossip, and complain about how easy men have life.
- wedding and following days hangover
The original intention was to go via Windsor, and visit Gary,Susana, Gabriel and Salma. But, because of the dreadful weather our first stop-over option, Liquid Leisure (N51.474581 W0.559103) is waterlogged and not accepting Motorhomes, and, our second choice Queens Acre CS (N51.4903 W0.6819), is not contactable.
So, with regret, we will have to give Windsor a miss, and call on our way home, at the end of this trip.
We have bright sunshine, but, frost and only 1C, as we do. final preparations, and set off.
195 uneventful miles, to arrive at Ferry Meadows CAMC Site (N52.56053, W0.30593).
Still bright sunshine, and 7C, when we arrive, so, a pleasant walk around the Nene Valley Park, to stretch the legs after driving.
Chatsworth Park - Thursday, 23rd January 2020
Rather foggy this morning, but, forecast suggests it will clear, and we will have 8C by lunch time.
A little under four miles of walking around Chatsworth Park, with a slight detour to see parts we had not seen on previous days, mostly the (former) stables, now converted to eateries and retail areas.
They must have been very well looked after horses, is all I can say, the stables are magnificent.
Into Baslow and The Wheatsheaf Hotel, for a very pleasant lunch, followed by another two miles of walking, through the quieter
parts of Baslow Village and then back to the Site.
Chatsworth Park - Friday, 24th January 2020.
Looks as if the weather is beginning to deteriorate, leaded clouds as we leave Chatsworth, but, it brightens as we head North,and, we arrive home in full sunshine.
Chatsworth Park - Tuesday 21st January 2020
A true winters morning, crisp, heavy frost, but, dry, and, I suspect it will be full sunshine, when the early morning mist lifts, certainly the forecast is for 9c later today.
Spent the day walking in the Chatsworth Park, ie, the grounds of Chatsworth House.
Much of it is closed for the winter, but, still, pretty impressive, we have walked almost 6 miles, and, still not covered all of it!
A rare treat, Kathleen promised to buy lunch, at the coffee shop in the Baslow Village, only to find that, in winter, it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Undeterred, we soldiered on to The Wheatsheaf, an excellent choice, two giant sandwiches, with chips (or soup), plus a pint
of real ale and a shandy for Kathleen, only £17.50.
Chatsworth Park - Wednesday 22nd January 2020
So far, we are falling lucky with the weather, considering it is January, in the UK. Today is calm, dry and sunny, with some cloud. Temperature up on yesterday, at 11C.
A bus ride to Bakewell today.
We walk towards Baslow, and based on Google "knowledge", turn left at the main road, to wait at a bus stop at Devonshire Bridge.
The time table at the bus stop suggests we have a 20 minute wait.
As we stand there, another bus, going to Bakewell, emerges from a road junction about twenty yards away, but, it does not stop or even pass this stop.
Naturally, this is deemed to be, "my fault", I am used to it.
Our bus arrives, more or less on time, about ten minutes later. We then discover it goes via Chatsworth House, so, we could have walked through Chatsworth Park, a lesser distance, and caught the bus there.
Bakewell is a pleasant enough little place, pleasantly quiet at this time of year.
We indulge in crumpets and coffee, followed by a wander around the shops (no M&S, Next, etc etc thank goodness).
We boost the local economy by purchasing a book, calendar, biscuits, and bananas (biscuits and bananas were left at home by the person responsible for packing food, no names mentioned).
A walk through the park, followed by more a visit to Costa for the standard Blueberry Muffin (Kathleen) and toasted teacake (Me).
There is no bus, to Baslow, due, within a reasonable time scale to suit Kathleen's patience, ie 2 minutes, so we take a bus which passes Chatsworth House, and, walk through Chatsworth Park, back to the site.
As we walk along, through Chatsworth Park, we spot some deer grazing.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day ;)
Monday, 20th January 2020
A dry and bright sunny day. Should be an easy drive. But a problems on M1, road closed South Bound at junction 35.
Briefly made an effort to find out why, but, putting the radio on hear Traffic Announcements meant listening to Jeremy Vine, and the "major" events of the day ie Harry and Megan (who cares?), and the problems of HS2 and the "Northern" cities, clearly, "the North" ends at Manchester, or, possibly Leeds.
Just to add a little spice to the situation, Kathleen, who always, always has a map, to check the sat-nav is doing it's job, has left the road map at home.
Nothing for it but to leave the M1 at J35, and head, what I think is the right direction, until the Sat-Nav does it's job and recalculates an alternative route.
Chatsworth Park CAMC Site (N53.23738, W1.61772), is the usual tidy and well laid out Caravan and Motorhome Club site.
The nearest village, Baslow, is approximately 1 mile away, and easy walk.
There are a couple of pubs, and, eating places.
