So on Monday we set off for France, only had a few days available because of work so decided to go and see Barrie and Linda (fellow funsters) near La Rochelle, dip our toe in the water so to speak, because I`ve driven extensively years ago through Holland and Germany with business, made the decision to go through the tunnel in our MH, yes I know there are some ferries that will be cheaper but the convenience and speed of crossing outweighs any small difference in cost, for us it was £168 return.
the tunnel was very quiet and because we were early we got an earlier crossing at no extra charge, swift and smooth as its always been, no delays, friendly staff, gas bottle checked that it was off, on the train, France in no time.
We had thought about driving to Abbeville and finding an Aire, note to self, next time, write down the Aire locations as my phone decided to drop any internet so locating was impossible at the time. However, Abbeville was easy to find not using the motorways, once there our first dilemma not being sure exactly where we could park as far as wild camping goes, we headed to the centre of town and found a lovely spot next to the river that as far as we could see would not cause a problem to anyone else, however, being English and a worrier, decided that "what if" should take precedence because what if we woke to be surrounded by the local market/ gendarmes riot training ground/add whatever worry you could invent insert here.
Its getting late so we headed off out to the motorway and just south of Abbeville was an Aire, yes one of them lurid gas you rob you while you sleep jobs, that always happens, it had a petrol station and although was quite busy, not that noisy, we parked up and thought, sod it, take a chance, so we did, and I have to say had a great nights sleep, up at 9, breakfast, shower, ready for the road by 10.
because we had a lot of miles to do and not a lot of time we made the decision (mistake) to hit the motorway despite the extra cost that would get us to where we wanted to be quicker, thus allowing us more time to mooch on the return leg. To cut this short, our brain plan was "it can`t be that dear? go for it" for future reference, DO YOUR RESEARCH will be the mantra, because 87 euros later, yes eighty seven, (Abbeville to Noit approx) I know, I`m not proud of my error, but it happened, if others can learn then chuckle away at my stupidity.
Anyway, after a lovely evening at Barrie and Lindas `Aire`, the night which was promising to be a peaceful affair was interrupted by the mother of all thunderstorms which lasted until dawn, even the neighbouring cockerel that we where warned about would wake us up didn't start crowing till 8am, couldn't cope with the competition I guess.
Farewells till next time made and the route home set on our new sat nav, latest Tom Tom, a week old with the latest software and map updates, have you guessed where I`m going with this? yep, they lied. fortunately I`m not totally bereft of grey matter and am aware that a 4 ton burstner will not squeeze, no matter how hard you`d be expected to breath in, down a cart track in the middle of nowhere, made of soil, with a ditch either side. So, ignoring stella or whatever her name is, followed what I thought would be a better route, amazingly I was right and we where soon on the right track heading north.
The French countryside is amazing, the sights sounds, not to mention the villages with waist threatening fresh pastries and more, well worth any detour.
So fast forward to our evening stop, tired going dark and not an aire in sight, armed with our newfound confidence of wild camping because we are at one with nature (cough, well sort of) but mainly because we were tired and couldn't be bothered driving any further, turned off the main road and headed for the nearest village, Cailly as it turned out, beautiful, old, atmospheric and a car park slap bang in the middle of town, inspired with our now fully experienced seasoned traveller knowledge, we parked up and settled down for the night.
And yes, you guessed it, I didn't sleep a wink, every noise was the gassing burglar, every car was the French foreign legion here to evict me with tear gas and stun grenades, and yes, as I`m sure you know by now, we couldn't have stopped at a nicer place, a lazy start, a walk around the village, stock up on a few essentials, my god, the bread should have a health warning, more so because its so fresh and warm and, and, and.
an uneventful trip up to Le Shuttle, via a couple of quick stops along the way meant we were 3hrs early, no problem, would you like to go on the next available train? no charge, the nice lady said. and so it ended, back in blighty, home, with a hatful of memories and a learning curve that was enjoyable if not a little stressful at times, but overall has made us certain we will be returning as soon as we can.
What did we learn? plan the journey but make it flexible, you will change your mind, take enough food for the first night or two, learn a few basic phrases, it amazing wen you try how well its received, don't be an uptight brit, relax. Stay off the motorways (haha) there's so much more to see and do.
Most of all, don't put it off, Just do it!
p.s. if you've read all that and are still not sleepy you need to see a dr about your insomnia
the tunnel was very quiet and because we were early we got an earlier crossing at no extra charge, swift and smooth as its always been, no delays, friendly staff, gas bottle checked that it was off, on the train, France in no time.
We had thought about driving to Abbeville and finding an Aire, note to self, next time, write down the Aire locations as my phone decided to drop any internet so locating was impossible at the time. However, Abbeville was easy to find not using the motorways, once there our first dilemma not being sure exactly where we could park as far as wild camping goes, we headed to the centre of town and found a lovely spot next to the river that as far as we could see would not cause a problem to anyone else, however, being English and a worrier, decided that "what if" should take precedence because what if we woke to be surrounded by the local market/ gendarmes riot training ground/add whatever worry you could invent insert here.
Its getting late so we headed off out to the motorway and just south of Abbeville was an Aire, yes one of them lurid gas you rob you while you sleep jobs, that always happens, it had a petrol station and although was quite busy, not that noisy, we parked up and thought, sod it, take a chance, so we did, and I have to say had a great nights sleep, up at 9, breakfast, shower, ready for the road by 10.
because we had a lot of miles to do and not a lot of time we made the decision (mistake) to hit the motorway despite the extra cost that would get us to where we wanted to be quicker, thus allowing us more time to mooch on the return leg. To cut this short, our brain plan was "it can`t be that dear? go for it" for future reference, DO YOUR RESEARCH will be the mantra, because 87 euros later, yes eighty seven, (Abbeville to Noit approx) I know, I`m not proud of my error, but it happened, if others can learn then chuckle away at my stupidity.
Anyway, after a lovely evening at Barrie and Lindas `Aire`, the night which was promising to be a peaceful affair was interrupted by the mother of all thunderstorms which lasted until dawn, even the neighbouring cockerel that we where warned about would wake us up didn't start crowing till 8am, couldn't cope with the competition I guess.
Farewells till next time made and the route home set on our new sat nav, latest Tom Tom, a week old with the latest software and map updates, have you guessed where I`m going with this? yep, they lied. fortunately I`m not totally bereft of grey matter and am aware that a 4 ton burstner will not squeeze, no matter how hard you`d be expected to breath in, down a cart track in the middle of nowhere, made of soil, with a ditch either side. So, ignoring stella or whatever her name is, followed what I thought would be a better route, amazingly I was right and we where soon on the right track heading north.
The French countryside is amazing, the sights sounds, not to mention the villages with waist threatening fresh pastries and more, well worth any detour.
So fast forward to our evening stop, tired going dark and not an aire in sight, armed with our newfound confidence of wild camping because we are at one with nature (cough, well sort of) but mainly because we were tired and couldn't be bothered driving any further, turned off the main road and headed for the nearest village, Cailly as it turned out, beautiful, old, atmospheric and a car park slap bang in the middle of town, inspired with our now fully experienced seasoned traveller knowledge, we parked up and settled down for the night.
And yes, you guessed it, I didn't sleep a wink, every noise was the gassing burglar, every car was the French foreign legion here to evict me with tear gas and stun grenades, and yes, as I`m sure you know by now, we couldn't have stopped at a nicer place, a lazy start, a walk around the village, stock up on a few essentials, my god, the bread should have a health warning, more so because its so fresh and warm and, and, and.
an uneventful trip up to Le Shuttle, via a couple of quick stops along the way meant we were 3hrs early, no problem, would you like to go on the next available train? no charge, the nice lady said. and so it ended, back in blighty, home, with a hatful of memories and a learning curve that was enjoyable if not a little stressful at times, but overall has made us certain we will be returning as soon as we can.
What did we learn? plan the journey but make it flexible, you will change your mind, take enough food for the first night or two, learn a few basic phrases, it amazing wen you try how well its received, don't be an uptight brit, relax. Stay off the motorways (haha) there's so much more to see and do.
Most of all, don't put it off, Just do it!
p.s. if you've read all that and are still not sleepy you need to see a dr about your insomnia
