Summer Trip, August 2015 : Week 3

Monday 24/08/2015

Raining again when we woke up today so we got up and packed up and got on the road towards Champagne. We drove via St. Dizier and Chalons en Champagne and stopped at Decathlon there to look around. We then drove on to a very nice Aire by the river Marne at Mareille sur Ay, just south of Epernay. We could not get on this Aire last year. We settled and rode the bikes along the river to Epernay. We explored the town for a couple of hours and wandered down the Rue de Champagne which is home to all the big and famous champagne names. Our cycle back took us through a village called Ay which flowed into Mareu which is twinned with Newton Abbot. Two more different places you could not imagine. Chilled evening in the van playing cards.

Miles 140

Overnight 0 euro

Tuesday 25/08/2015

Went for a nice run along the river and via the boulongere and we bought the best ever not for Amelia Almond Croissants we had them for breakfast with coffee sat on the bench by the river. Then of for another bike ride in the other direction.

We got back to the van and packed and made the short journey to one of last years favourite Aires at Chevigny. This is a small champagne producers property. We bought Champagne last year and wanted some more mainly for Jacks 21^st. We spent the afternoon in the garden ,cycled to get meat for supper. We went into owners house to buy champagne.

Miles 10

Overnight cot 0 euro ( but 243 euro on fizz)

Wednesday 26/08/2015

Bit of a mixed day. Went for a run in the morning and then headed north East towards Verdun.

Verdun was a lovely and interesting town with loads of WW1 history. Spent a couple of hours exploring and had a drink in a café on the river in the sunshine. Then headed North to find an Aire for the night. We ended up at a very strange and weird town called Stinay. Aire was ok .we decided to only say one night.

Miles 97

Overnight 8 euro.

Thursday 27/08/2015

Weather horrendous decided to have a long driving day ,our first big one all holiday. We headed for Dieppe and Le Touquet.

Tried a few Aires Fort Mahon Plage, Treport, Qttend Plage all horrible. All low rent seaside towns. Tiered we headed for what we knew from last year Dieppe . We like the town and it has a busy atmosphere.

Miles 271

Overnight 7 Euro

Friday 28/08/2015

Woke up to the sound of the bread van on the busy beach/harbour side Aire at Dieppe. It was foggy but the time we were ready for a run along the front the sun was shinning. We had a lovely run along and then another run along.

Spent the rest of the morning wandering around the busy time and had coffee in the main square. On return to the van we took chairs and our lunch onto the beach and chilled with our books.

Later in the afternoon we went back into town to explore the two brocantes we had discovered last year. They were not as exciting as the one we stumbled across on the 16^th. We had a nice day in Dieppe.

Miles 0

Overnight 7 Euro

Saturday 29/08/2015

Decided to day we would split the drive to Dunkirk in half stopping at some point near L Touquet. We chose an Aire at Eimbry in the middle of nowhere. On the way there we came across a brocante shop at Martainneville on the D928 between Rouen and Abbeiville. In there we found a cabinet for our hall at home,we had been looking at them on E bay at home for about £100 we paid 40 euro £29,well chuffed.

Pottered along through the beautiful countryside to the best Aire of the holiday. A tiny village no shop or bakery. But lots of noisy farm animals.

Miles 101

Overnight cost 7 euro

Sunday 30/08/2015

Home. A welcome home sign and home baked biscuits and a very tidy house. Thanks Jack.

Summer Trip, August 2015 : Week 2

Monday 17/08/2015

Decided to stay a full day at St.Pont Lac and explore by bike. We went for a nice run followed by breakfast of disappointing croissaints from the  fromagerie. The   only shop in the village.

Our cycle circumnavigated the lake about 15 miles and Mark bought a beautiful poster with a cyclist pictured by the lake 1920s style.

Relaxed by the van in the afternoon as the sun came out well and truly. Miles 0

Overnight stay 9 euro + 3 for services.

Tuesday 18/08/2015 and Wednesday 19/08/2015

Still heading west. Destination today is an Aire at Lac de Villerest an artificial lake created by a hydro electric dam across the loire just south of Roanne. We arrived mid afternoon after another longish drive ,but  the weather is getting better and better.

Another nice aire with views across the lake. Trouble is we have been jumping from Lake to lake but non can touch the blue water and skies of Lac de Sainte croix. We do not want to swim in these. The fisherman are not clean in their lakeside habits and bird watchers are weird. But these lakes are pretty in there   own way. Quite hilly round here and a nice town. Decided to stop another day to explore on bikes. More disappointing croissants. We are becoming croissant experts and we know what we like. Buttery ,Crispy outside soft inside and fresh. We do not have them every day.

Got chatting to a chap from Holland next to us, very friendly

,him being the first person we have spoken to. We have encountered no English and seen very few British vans. We love being of the tourist route.

Miles 228 Tuesday. 0 Wednesday

Overnight cost 5.90 euro Tuesday 0 Euro Wednesday.

Thursday 20/08/2015

Todays plan was to follow the Loire North West not too far and just pick somewhere along the way.

It was a good plan as we pottered along slowly, stopped regularly to admire the views and generally had a chilled day.

We stopped at an Aire alongside the canal Lateral a la Loire near a town called Beaulon. What a beautiful spot. Lovely and flat so went for a nice cycle after lunch before settling down outside the van in the evening sun shine. Watching the boats go through the lock and playing cards. Bliss.

Miles 82

Overnight cost 0 Euro

Friday 21/08/2015

Enjoying our stop at Beaulon so decided to stay for a second day and night.

Got up early and sat outside having a cup of tea in the early morning sunshine and quiet. We followed this with a run along the canal. We then had good croissaints for breakfast which we had cycled into town to buy.

Spent the most part of that day on the bikes,cycled first to Bourbon Lancy which is a lovely town. Jo found a Brocante and bought a lovely old table cloth for the garden table (bargain 5 euro) and we had coffee at a café watching the world go by. We then picked up the Voire Verte cycle route and did a triangular route back to the van about 25 miles.

Spent rest of afternoon at van planning the next day. Voted one of the best Aires of the holiday.

Miles 0

Overnight cost 0

Saturday 22/08/2015

Continued North West along the Loire towards Neves. Needed a food shop today found a supermarket and then as by magic stumbled across the racing circuit Magney Cours.We got out to have a quick look and take some pictures. We discovered there was a Porche race meeting and they would just let us walk in. Wandered up into the main grandstand and watched a race. Jo enjoyed the atmosphere and obviously Mark was in his element.

Continued North from Neves with no plan but possibly a stop at Clamecy. Arriving at the Aire we were unsure, but it grew on us and we decided to stay. A slightly strange town, jousting on the river to watch. But we could barbeque our fresh prawns under the trees and had a peaceful night.

Miles 107

Overnight cost 0 euro

Sunday 23/08/2015

Yesterday at the tourist office at Magney cours, Jo found a leaflet of all the Brocantes in the area. So we set out to find a French car boot sale and French bargains for our English cottage. We found the village of Courcelles. We found the very small sale which had a certain country charm. We bought one of the bottles we collect for 4 euro. An identical one yesterday in a Brocante shop in Clamecy was 20 euro.

We headed cross country to Auxerre planning to explore but rain came down. We carried on to Troyes and then at a Aire at the Lac Du Der. The Aire is ok a gravel car park with no views. The lake is good if you are a twitcher we are not. However we cyled around the edge for a couple of hours. Got back in time as the rain came down.

Miles 147

Overnight 0 euro

Summer Trip, August 2015 : Week 1 (Dunkirk to Konstanz via Bruges and Trier)

Sunday 09 August

The plan for this trip was to head through Belgium and Luxembourg into Germany and to Lake Konstanz to spend a week or so down there. However, as we are starting to discover, no plan survives contact with the enemy - or the weather!!

We left home at 7am and got about 3 miles before we  (Jo) remembered that we (Mark) had forgotten to put the bikes on the back of the van! We went back, rectified this and then hit the road again, having a really easy run to Dover, followed by an easy crossing to Dunkirk. We planned to travel the 50 miles or so to Bruges and spend some time there. We had identified an Aire right in the city centre so drove straight there only to find it absolutely rammed, but there was a significant overflow into the neighbouring car park. We managed to find a pleasant spot right next to the river, settled down, had a quick scoot around by bicycle to get our bearing and then back to Frank for dinner.

After food we went for a walk around the city centre and the old town. It really was very attractive, but also very expensive and a bit of a tourist trap, with chocolate shops everywhere. Loads of lace, embroidery and horse and carriage trips, and loads of Japanese tourists! We stumbled across a Tango Dancing 'party 'in a square and spent a pleasant few minutes watching - envious that all these people had the ability and confidence to dance so publicly. It did look very elegant.

Bruges seemed such a tourist magnet (not really our thing) so we decided that we would be moving on in the morning.

252 miles; Overnight stop 25 Euros !!!!

Monday 10 August

Started the day with a run along the river, then on returning to Frank found a leak on the water system (again!!). We therefore planned a route south via a Frankia dealer - sods law though, by the time we got there dry as a bone.

Carried on south to an overnight stop at a village called Hamoir. It was a pleasant Aire alongside the River Ourthe and next to a local tennis club, which was very active, and we were in for a peaceful evening until a Belgian van parked alongside with 3 middle aged heavy metal fans. On with the music straight away. We explored the town, which was quiet and nice enough but all the streets had speakers on the outside of the building with the local radio station blaring out - a bit strange to be honest.


Even so, we barbequed by the van and had a pleasant evening, aided by some Belgian chocolate which was very nice!!

130 miles: Overnight stop 8 Euros.

Tuesday 11 / Wednesday 12 August

The plan today was to continue south and into Luxembourg - fill up with cheap diesel and we had identified an overnight stop at a place called Diekrich. The further into the Ardennes we headed the more beautiful the scenery. This continued as we headed into Luxembourg - absolutely stunning scenery, but not much going on!! It seemed to be very very quiet and clean and tidy! We filled up with provisions in a very tidy supermarket (expensive!) and filled up with diesel (cheap at 75p / litre!) The aire at Diekrich was full so we carried on towards Germany, heading for Trier.

We found a Stelleplatze just north of Trier - it was absolutely lovely parked amongst the vines. we went for a walk around the vineyards and then settled down at the van to read, and were entertained by a German party at the winery all having a sing-song. It was a lovely day, and it is really warm and sunny!! Decided we will spend a couple of nights here and explore Trier tomorrow.

Woke up to a misty morning which was soon replaced by sunshine. Went for a run through the vineyards and then we cycled into Trier using a really great network of cycle paths that wound their way through the most beautiful allotments and communal gardens full of flowers and vegetables.

Trier was a nice town, pretty busy with a bit of atmosphere. Did a bit of shopping and mooched around before heading back to the van. We spent a lazy afternoon amongst the vines, found a farm shop selling fresh produce where we bought stuff for supper, and chilled out in the sunshine. very hot!!

We cycled back into town in the evening, and found it much quieter, but we had a nice ride along the river before heading back.

147 miles: Overnight stop 20 Euros. (2 nights)

Thursday 13 August

We decided to split the remaining drive to Kontanz in half, so we identified a stopover at a town called called Rheinmunster on the German side of the Rhine near Strasbourg.

Our journey there took us through a corner of France


(Alsace) which was absolutely beautiful - we had three hours driving in France before crossing back into Germany. The only problem was that when we followed the Sat Nav route, it directed us to a ferry that couldn't take vehicles as big as Frank, so a 20 mile detour to the nearest bridge!!

We found a decent stopover which was outside a 'Eurocamp' type of set up around two swimming lakes. We had a fantastic supper of fresh prawns which we had purchased along the way. As we were settling down for the night, and with no warning at all, the most incredible winds kicked off - things were blowing around everywhere. a mad rush ensued to get the awning down and all the windows secured. The winds were followed by an amazing thunder and lightning storm and torrential rain. At one point it did feel like the van was going to blow over!

150 miles : Overnight stop 8 Euros.

Friday 14 August

We hit the road earlyish today with the intention of reaching Konstanz.

We had an interesting drive through the Black Forest, including a very steep and windy climb and descent. We looked at the maps and yet again that idiot Garmin had plotted the shortest route, irrespective of road conditions, vehicle type etc. We must invest in a sat nav that can have vehicle weights and dimensions plumbed in! It might avoid us trying to cross rivers with ferries only big enough for cars and mountain passes best negotiated in a rally car!!

After a bit of hunting around we settled on a stelleplatze at a town called Reichenau. We weren't sure at first - but we went for a ride on the bikes and discovered we are only a spit away from the lake and there is a brilliant network of cycles paths through acres of market gardens.

It seems we are now paying the price for the good weather we enjoyed at the beginning of the week as it it getting wet and windy, although still quite warm.


130 Miles : Overnight stop Nil (should have been 12 Euros but we couldn't find any way of paying - machine rejected all our cards!!)

Saturday 15 August

We moved around Lake Konstanz a bit today - initially to Konstanz itself, hoping to stop there and explore but it was very busy and the Stelleplatz was packed, with not prospect of a space there.

Plan B was to drive to the other side of the lake to a town called Meersburg. We had been told that it was a lovely town so we pottered around there and found somewhere to park at a Stelleplatz just above the town. This was another one where you paid by credit card only at a machine or with 12 x 1 Euro coins. Again, the machine wouldn't accept any of our credit or bank cards and we didn't have enough coins. We left a note in Frank's window (good old 'Google Translate') and headed off to explore and get coins.

Meersburg, in our opinion, was a real tourist trap. It was like a picture book representation of what a traditional German town should look like. Not really our thing!! I couldn't even be bothered to take many photos!

The weather was getting worse so back at the van we looked at the weather forecast - rain and thunderstorms for the next 5 day around Konstanz. The best option to find better weather seemed to be to head west, so we got the maps out and spent the evening in the van planning our route - back towards France.

Neither of us were really taken with this part of Germany for some reason. It all seemed very grey, but maybe the weather contributed to this feeling. We may have to try it again sometime, in the sunshine.

47 miles : Stelleplatz 0 Euros again (we tried to pay - but were defeated by the machine!)

West Yorkshire : 29-31 May 2015

As we had a free weekend we decided to get away in Frank for a few days, and we joined the Caravan Club so that we could  take advantage of their network  of Certificated Locations. The thought of small sites which take a maximum of five units appeals to us.

Friday 29 May

We found a lovely looking place close to Halifax called Plane Trees Farm, and weren't disappointed when we got there - beautiful location and views and delightfully friendly owners.

We chose this location as it was convenient for the ongoing Land Rover Defender hunt!! There were several dealers in used LR's in close proximity with vehicles that we wanted to look at and test drive.

Weather was a bit variable, and so on Friday afternoon we went for a longish walk to the first dealer. It was pretty windy, so I was supposed to lock down the roof light on the van - but clearly didn't. When we got back - from looking at a pretty ropey LR - found the top of the roof light halfway down the field and smashed beyond repair. that meant Me (Mark) spending half an hour on the van roof with a roll of duct tape trying to make it watertight and secure.

spent a very pleasant evening in Frank with supper and some games!

Saturday 30 May

We went for a short run before breakfast and then headed off on the bikes to explore Halifax. Discovered that West Yorkshire is pretty hilly!  Halifax was an interesting town to spend a few hours in, and the indoor market in paricular, was lovely, but I don't think we've ever seen anywhere with so many cafes and fast food places. Explored the restored Clough Mill building, including the 18m long Lego version in one of the galleries inside.

On the way back to Frank, we got the villages of Northowram and Southowram confused, and so got lost! This meant a cycle back via Brighouse, and a steep climb back to the campsite.

13-17/12/2014 Christmas Markets, Cologne

We decided to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary by visiting the Cologne Christmas Markets.

Saturday 13 December.

Arrived at Calais 19.15 hrs. This was later than planned due to the Dump Valve on Frank's fresh water tank being stuck open.We delayed the ferry by a day, and thought we had got the valve sorted until the pump was switched on at Dover, only to pump the contents of the tank straight through the floor. On top of that got a message from Simon, our builder, asking if he could  do work at the house straight away as another client had let him down! Figured it was only Jack at home who would be disturbed so told him to crack on. Too late to do anything else now about the water situation in Frank so we decided to remain calm and carry on - solution focussed and so visited the Carrefour at Cite Europe on arrival in France and purchased several 5 litre bottles of water. Headed for the aire at Gravelines, this being our 3rd visit there. We find it really pleasant and convenient for the Calais ferry, and even though the middle of December and arriving in the dark, found it fairly busy, which was nice! So I (Jo) am sat, feet up in slippers, nice and cosy in Frank with a glass of 'vin rouge' writing our blog.

Sunday 14 December.

The day started with a frosty run along the river at Gravelines on a beautiful sunny morning after a good nights sleep. Frank was lovely and warm, our first test of it in winter!

The view from Frank - Koln Stelleplatze

It was a 5 hour drive to Cologne (Koln to the Germans) and it was a very pleasant drive through France, Belgium and Holland into Germany. Being a Sunday most places were closed, and we wanted to try and find the Stelleplatze in daylight. Traffic into Koln was very busy. We found the site fairly easily, but think we may have contravened the emissions zone in doing so!! The site was right on the bank of the River Rhine and Koln looks to be a busy and vibrant city. We had an early supper followed by a walk along the river bank to the city centre.

Looking towards the city centre

It was a 20 minute walk passing lots of the river cruise ships moored up. Lots of lovely shops and we discovered several of the 7 Christmas markets. They look very pretty but some of the goods and the different stalls look a bit 'samey'. The atmosphere is lovely though! Mark determined to have currywurst and chips at one of the stalls for tea one night. Wandered back to Frank to warm up and sample more wine!!!



Monday 15 December.

Started the day with a run along the bank of the Rhine. We ran away from the city centre and found it to be very industrial, and a bit of rain in the air! Got back to Frank in time to avoid the downpour and after breakfast went off in search of food shops (10 minutes away on two feet and we will find everything we need said the site manager!). And we did :- German rye bread, bratwurst, lovely unsalted butter, German beer and wine, herring and beetroot salad - all made for a good lunch.

Walked back into Koln again to explore the shops and markets. We bought some lovely decorations and then enjoyed amazing potatoe rostis and gluwein in the Angel Markt. Tomorrow we will try to find some more of the markets. We have been pleasantly surprised by the markets - not as much 'tat' as we had been told with some lovely wooden and glass decoration stalls.

Tired, we walked back to Frank which was warm and cosy. Mark sampled the German red wine that we bought this morning - glad we only bought the one bottle!






Tuesday 16 December - Silver Wedding Anniversary.

Started the day with a run along the Rhine, towards the city centre this time. We ran past a river cruiser which was called 'Amelia'. Back to the van for a wash (no shower don't forget!) and breakfast and coffee. We walked back towards the city intending to get a photo of 'Amelia' but she had gone. We had a wander through the old part of town and found another market with an ice rink. This was the nicest market we had found so far with a lovely feel to it, even during daylight, There were bric-a-brac and antique stalls, which weren't cheap but were lovely and quite different to what we had seen up until then.

Lunch back at Frank, so we went back to the supermarket for supplies and cake!! We decided to eat at the markets this evening - no posh anniversary meal for us, although that it what we had planned to do - but the markets were so atmospheric and the food looked so good we thought we would celebrate 25 years in a similar way to the way we had spent our honeymoon is Salzburg and Vienna. So Mark had his currywurst and chips, and I had some form of ciabatta with melted cheese, ham and creme fraiche. We had a really nice wander around the big market in front of the 'Dom' cathedral assisted by a couple of mugs of gluwein to get us back to Frank!!

The largest market in front of the Dom

25 Years

Wednesday 17 December.

Early start today to drive back to Calais. Drove through Germany, Holland, Belgium and France in the rain, and stocked up with some bits and pieces at Carrfour in Calais. We had a very civilised lunch whilst waiting for the ferry. The crossing was really easy and back in England before we knew it! Heading home to find what Amelia, Jack and Simon the builder have been up to in our absence. Should have a new kitchen floor, downstairs loo, and absolute chaos we expect.

Loved this trip, and it confirmed to us that using Frank through the winter will not be a problem as it was lovely and warm. The heating is really good and fast to heat up. A couple of jobs to do on the van before the next trip, but nothing too difficult to sort out. Can't wait!!

26-27/07/2014 : Last day - Calais (via a breakdown truck)

Saturday

An interesting day and a day of 2 halves. 

We started out early heading for an Aire close to the Belgian border about 2 hours from Calais, giving us an easy drive for a 4pm ferry. However at about 11.30 am a sudden horrible vibration indicated Frank was poorly. We stopped to find the right nearside tyre completely gone. Luckily we had just come of the auto route and were travelling quite slowly. Looking at the jack I was not at all comfortable that it was up to the job so we called the break down service. They were brilliant and a really nice French man turned up sorted everything - and we were on the road less than 90 minutes after stopping.

Waiting for the recovery truck

While we were digging out the break down paper work I noticed that the ferry was 9am so  Plan B! Instead of a short drive we now had a long drive. We headed for the Aire at Gravelines which we used last year.

So a long day on the road, but it was a beautiful evening overlooking the canal and boats and sunset.

We chatted to a few couples who had just landed in France. The young couple next door in the hire van knocked and asked for help. If only they knew how new we were to this!!

Gravelines Aire

Miles today 232 Aire 6 Euro.

Sunday

Ferry and then the drag up the motorway and home!!! It was a great holiday.

23-25/07/2014 : Champagne

Thursday

Weather glorious. Heading for Champagne today and identified an Aire by the river at Mareuil-sur-Ay close to Eperyney. It was a very pretty location but full with no prospect of anyone moving. We then did a round robin of possible locations around Eperney. We settled on a very quiet Aire/French Passion stop at a village called Chevigny. The owners were champagne producers and the site was beautifully kept with all facilities in really quiet village surrounded by vineyards and farm yards. It had been a longer than expected day so we had a little explore and then settled down for a peaceful evening at the van. That was until the Dutch guy next door got his Satellite dish out and put the TV on loud. Really pissed us off!!

 Miles today 152 Aire 5 Euro.

Friday

Woke to another glorious morning and so we decided we would spend the day exploring locally. Jo went for a run and me for a cycle .The other two vans departed and so we had the place to ourselves for a leisurely breakfast.

We set off on our bikes to the nearest town,Vertus, and into the heart of the vineyards. They were really quite interesting and beautiful and the regimented order appealed to me. We had picked up some croissants in Vertus and sat amongst the vines eating them for lunch and then we watched some of the weird and wonderful machinery working amongst the vines.

After another lazy afternoon at the van we went for a long walk amongst the wheat and sunflowers. When we got back we settled up with the owner and brought 3 bottles of their Champagne - 1 bottle each for 2 graduating students and 1 for our 25^th Wedding Anniversary.

A few other vans had arrived, including another 22 year old iconic Hymer occupied by a family from Manchester. We chatted with them till dark. It may have irritated the other vans especially the Belgians with our loud and late conversations - but it was fun.

Miles today nil and the Aire free as we bought champagne.