scotjimland
LIFE MEMBER
- Jul 25, 2007
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Nope .. we survived two overnight stops on French Autoroute service stations.. and now live to tell the tale..
Let me explain..
I don't usually use them.. but one one occasion I had been driving most of the day and couldn't find a nice aire close to our route .. exhausted , hot and tired I succumbed and parked up..
It was baking hot.. over 30c, the AC in the van had packed up earlier in the day .. and we all needed a rest, a good meal and a shower...
Unlike the rip off MSAs in the UK.. the French Autoroute service areas are FREE for as long as you want or need.. they also have FREE showers and this particular one had FREE Wifi.. Chaz was in heaven..
so after we all had I nice long cooling FREE shower.. something to eat , Chaz played on the Wifi.. we settled down for the night .. van alarm set .. (Vanbitz Growler) Mylo on guard duty.. I fell asleep within minutes..
Woke up next morning, ..no hang over, Rolex watch still sitting on the work top.. not broken into or gassed.. sun was up and it was already warm in the van..
Will we use them again .. probably.. my first choice is a nice quiet village aire.. but are they safer ? I don't know.. I 've read stories of people being burgled on quiet aires.. @JJ reported several vans being broken into in a village aire.. we had a bike stolen form the rack at Capbreton aire..
so Autoroute Service area aires.. probably as safe as anywhere.. just take sensible precautions.. and DON"T park near HGVs... they are on the move all night, and many have refrigeration units running ..very noisy
Park in a well lit area close to the services... and set your alarm..
Let me explain..
I don't usually use them.. but one one occasion I had been driving most of the day and couldn't find a nice aire close to our route .. exhausted , hot and tired I succumbed and parked up..
It was baking hot.. over 30c, the AC in the van had packed up earlier in the day .. and we all needed a rest, a good meal and a shower...
Unlike the rip off MSAs in the UK.. the French Autoroute service areas are FREE for as long as you want or need.. they also have FREE showers and this particular one had FREE Wifi.. Chaz was in heaven..
so after we all had I nice long cooling FREE shower.. something to eat , Chaz played on the Wifi.. we settled down for the night .. van alarm set .. (Vanbitz Growler) Mylo on guard duty.. I fell asleep within minutes..
Woke up next morning, ..no hang over, Rolex watch still sitting on the work top.. not broken into or gassed.. sun was up and it was already warm in the van..
Will we use them again .. probably.. my first choice is a nice quiet village aire.. but are they safer ? I don't know.. I 've read stories of people being burgled on quiet aires.. @JJ reported several vans being broken into in a village aire.. we had a bike stolen form the rack at Capbreton aire..
so Autoroute Service area aires.. probably as safe as anywhere.. just take sensible precautions.. and DON"T park near HGVs... they are on the move all night, and many have refrigeration units running ..very noisy
Park in a well lit area close to the services... and set your alarm..
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