Been back in the UK a couple of weeks now but been really manic. Wifi on our trip was at best torturous so decided to post the highlights on our return.
Only decided our route a few days before but decided to head to the South to hopefully max out on the sunshine and meet our tugger friends who have been in Italy. The only thing booked is the ferry, much as we love the simplicity and economy of the Tunnel I just didn't fancy any hassle / delay.
Travelled Portsmouth Caen to avoid Calais woes,overnight on the dock before an early sail. When we arrive I realise my first mistake my all the Aires book is back home! Never mind we head south for a few hours and find a lovely marketsquare to stay the night at Lussac Les Château, have a nice meal at a little cafe and remember it is our 27th Wedding Anniversay
Peaceful night ... Bit hot but a super spot, shop in the morning market then head south. Stop for a lunch and walk at Rocamadour, would have stayed a night but it was too hot and humid to sight see so we take mental notes and return to the air conditioned cab vowing to return another day for a couple of nights.
After another sticky night, south of Carcasonne, without hook up and next to a busy train line we leave early to try and reach Narbonne before the motorway can jam up with the Saturday in August masses.
We have no delays and have a good Sat Nav tour of Narbonne before finding a huge Carrefour full of motorhomes and caravans. Do a major shop (buying lots of wine and some cocktail mixers ) book into our site just as it starts to rain. Being a bit shattered from the last couple of days we chill a bit before getting the bikes out.
First day out on the bikes disaster strikes, having cycled miles and miles down the Canal De La Robine to a pretty non descript Port La Nouvelle I have a rather spectacular blow out on the back wheel. After exploring various options we resort to taking a taxi ride to Decathalon in Narbonne I realise my comprehension of numbers in french is rubbish and instead of paying €17 euros I pay nearly €70 for the taxi plus €20 for a new tyre and €20 to a local quad bike shop who help us.
Anyway the bike is repaired and the ride home is very speedy on assist.
Whilst waiting for my repair I look longingly at this
But the next day on site we see a Cathargo with a smart car, they are stuck unable for some reason to close the motorhome garage door or load the car, I wonder how long / how much money that will take to fix and decide my blow out was cheap.
Next day we cycle to Gruissan, there is a large Aire right on the front there for future ref, lots of boats, restuarants etc etc, we really enjoy the ride and this beautiful seaside resort.
Only decided our route a few days before but decided to head to the South to hopefully max out on the sunshine and meet our tugger friends who have been in Italy. The only thing booked is the ferry, much as we love the simplicity and economy of the Tunnel I just didn't fancy any hassle / delay.
Travelled Portsmouth Caen to avoid Calais woes,overnight on the dock before an early sail. When we arrive I realise my first mistake my all the Aires book is back home! Never mind we head south for a few hours and find a lovely marketsquare to stay the night at Lussac Les Château, have a nice meal at a little cafe and remember it is our 27th Wedding Anniversay
Peaceful night ... Bit hot but a super spot, shop in the morning market then head south. Stop for a lunch and walk at Rocamadour, would have stayed a night but it was too hot and humid to sight see so we take mental notes and return to the air conditioned cab vowing to return another day for a couple of nights.
After another sticky night, south of Carcasonne, without hook up and next to a busy train line we leave early to try and reach Narbonne before the motorway can jam up with the Saturday in August masses.
We have no delays and have a good Sat Nav tour of Narbonne before finding a huge Carrefour full of motorhomes and caravans. Do a major shop (buying lots of wine and some cocktail mixers ) book into our site just as it starts to rain. Being a bit shattered from the last couple of days we chill a bit before getting the bikes out.
First day out on the bikes disaster strikes, having cycled miles and miles down the Canal De La Robine to a pretty non descript Port La Nouvelle I have a rather spectacular blow out on the back wheel. After exploring various options we resort to taking a taxi ride to Decathalon in Narbonne I realise my comprehension of numbers in french is rubbish and instead of paying €17 euros I pay nearly €70 for the taxi plus €20 for a new tyre and €20 to a local quad bike shop who help us.
Anyway the bike is repaired and the ride home is very speedy on assist.
Whilst waiting for my repair I look longingly at this
But the next day on site we see a Cathargo with a smart car, they are stuck unable for some reason to close the motorhome garage door or load the car, I wonder how long / how much money that will take to fix and decide my blow out was cheap.
Next day we cycle to Gruissan, there is a large Aire right on the front there for future ref, lots of boats, restuarants etc etc, we really enjoy the ride and this beautiful seaside resort.