Not sure about aires (1 Viewer)

[Howard H]

Well parked up on our first Aire , I am not so sure I think I am a campsite man at heart lol . It’s very quite but I can’t just get my head round the concept of parking up on waste ground not knocking it or anyone but I guess it’s just me . By the way we are at fresnay sur Sarthe .

 

[tonka]

Don't judge yet. All are different, some are actually on old campsites, some in wonderful locations and some just a convenient place to stop.

I like the circus tent, we once stayed at one and had lions in cages the back of us. Grandkids thought it was hilarious.

 

[Howard H]

I think I will go to twin lakes caravan site tomorrow it’s about 5 hours away we have done about 7 hours today, as we have plenty of time I will cut it down to 5 hours

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[Clarky]

Aires vary a huge amount.
Some, as you say are just a piece of waste ground but then others are more like this:-

 

[Howard H]

Wow , now we are talking , I keep telling my self it costing nowt lol so for one night it will do

 

[rod_vw]

I can only echo the above, don't judge until you have seen/used at least a dozen! We've used hundreds and in that have found many wonderful spots to overnight or a bit longer.

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[EX51SSS]

Wow , now we are talking , I keep telling my self it costing nowt lol so for one night it will do

For one night? For many years we've used a variety of Aires and yes there are some very basic but some have all facilities and range from free to over €10.00.

 

[nicholsong]

View attachment 278174 Well parked up on our first Aire , I am not so sure I think I am a campsite man at heart lol . It’s very quite but I can’t just get my head round the concept of parking up on waste ground not knocking it or anyone but I guess it’s just me . By the way we are at fresnay sur Sarthe .

Persevere.

There are many beautiful Aires - next to lakes, rivers, canals, coast, mountains.

Not all are waste ground. Some have full service point facilities. Some are nicely laid out with bushes and trees.

I do not know what research tools you have. Most people seem to be moving away from books to Apps. Apps can be used online, usually free, if you have the data allowance. They can be downloaded for off-line use, but usually for a fee but for all the ones I am going to list below the fees for all will probably be less the 'All the Aires' 2 books for France.

This list gives access to Aires, wildcamping spots and some of them to commercial and Municipal Campsites.

campingcar infos (In French but easily understood info)

campercontact (Dutch with English version)

park4night(English)

searchforsites.

We used to use mainly No. 1 but more recently have had more use out of park4night but we are happy to either use Aires or wildcamping spots of which that one has many.

I suggest that when you are parked with WiFi access you spend a wet afternoon playing around with them all. Some have basic information only on some places, but others have good photos of the sites and views.

You will be surprised what a variety there is and how beautiful some are - we have a few favourite, one of which is a green parking area next to a quiet river which could accomodate 40 units, but when we have been there no more than 3-4 well spread out.

Don't give up on the basis of one Aire.

Geoff

 

[Sprocket779]

We stayed on that aire last year, as you say feels like a bit of waste ground (felt safe enough)..... it's one to be used as an overnight stop, sleep & fill/empty water etc, not a holiday destination.
Many more nice ones around for a longer stay.

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[obanvanman]

Hi Howard,

Google camping-car-panoramique.fr

It will give you details of the aire but also should show a 360degree camera shot of what to expect.

Kev

 

[Howard H]

Thanks Kev, I suspect we will be down in Cadiz early but will let you know

 

[obanvanman]

Aire at Palencia is really good. Nice and safe with free leccy, shower, shops nearby.
Kev.

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[Howard H]

Aire at Palencia is really good. Nice and safe with free leccy, shower, shops nearby.
Kev.

Which one do you recommend, palencia 1 or palencia 2 ?

 

[WESTY66]

I think I will go to twin lakes caravan site tomorrow it’s about 5 hours away we have done about 7 hours today, as we have plenty of time I will cut it down to 5 hours

Didn’t the guy who owns twin lakes once work for RJ BUDGE??

 

[WESTY66]

H

View attachment 278174 Well parked up on our first Aire , I am not so sure I think I am a campsite man at heart lol . It’s very quite but I can’t just get my head round the concept of parking up on waste ground not knocking it or anyone but I guess it’s just me . By the way we are at fresnay sur Sarthe .

Have you joined the gilets jaunes???

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[Howard H]

Didn’t the guy who owns twin lakes once work for RJ BUDGE??

Not sure Westy, who is r j budge ?

 

[WESTY66]

Not sure Westy, who is r j budge ?

Are you serious?? Are you winding me up?? You avin a larff??

 

[Howard H]

H

Have you joined the gilets jaunes???

Seen some but no trouble just put the vests in the window to be on the safe side as advised

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[Howard H]

Are you serious?? Are you winding me up?? You avin a larff??

Are you serious?? Are you winding me up?? You avin a larff??

er no

 

[Madcaravanner]

I think I will go to twin lakes caravan site tomorrow it’s about 5 hours away we have done about 7 hours today, as we have plenty of time I will cut it down to 5 hours

Twin Lakes Aire (the field) is open but the campsite isn't as far as know the electric is off I know hte water will be off except in the Shower/toilet near the bar

We have found almost every aire we have visited has been different - some are tarmac some are grass some are in supermarche car parks some are specially built some are just a spare bit of land
the one we liked the most so far has been Saint George De Didonne being on the beach

 

[WESTY66]

Not sure Westy, who is r j budge ?

He had a few opencast coal sites then he took over the Collieries from British Coal, based his HQ just up the road from us

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[Howard H]

Ah bug:er that spoilt that plan I will have to think of another plan thanks

 

[Howard H]

He had a few opencast coal sites then he took over the Collieries from British Coal, based his HQ just up the road from us

Silly me I should have known

 

[obanvanman]

1. The aire in Palencia is Area de Autocaravanas Suances.
Sitecode 62523 on CamperContact.

2. How did the thread get on to some unknown bloke called RJ Budgie or what ever?

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[Howard H]

Ha ha not sure but now I know who he is that @WESTY66 is funny bloke he’s from Yorkshire

 

[obanvanman]

Silly me I should have known

Ha ha not sure but now I know who he is that @WESTY66 is funny bloke he’s from Yorkshire

That explains a lot.
Despite Mr Budgie and his views on French Aires please do not give up on them. We were a bit dubious at first but once we settled in to this motorhoming lark we really do enjoy them and have stayed in some cracking places.

 

[Puddleduck]

Martin wasn't at all keen on the Aire idea but is now a convert

An overnight stop in a convenient place for very little money (or free) - you don't really need much just for an overnight stay you can't lose.

One place we stopped as an overnighter was so lovely we stayed longer and we're thinking about going back

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[WESTY66]

2. How did the thread get on to some unknown bloke called RJ Budgie or what ever?

Read the whole thread!!

My friend Howard H said he was going to twin lakes, and a colleague where I work said the guy who owns twin lakes used to work for RJ Budge, so I asked the question to confirm if it was the same guy (whom I think is English as I have never been to twin lakes)
Is that a problem ??

 

[obanvanman]

Martin wasn't at all keen on the Aire idea but is now a convert

An overnight stop in a convenient place for very little money (or free) - you don't really need much just for an overnight stay you can't lose.

One place we stopped as an overnighter was so lovely we stayed longer and we're thinking about going back

You are absolutely right. Sometimes they are convenient for one night, but others are so special they deserve an extra couple of nights. We never out stay our welcome, if its busy then we just move on to the next surprise.

 

[obanvanman]

Read the whole thread!!

My friend Howard H said he was going to twin lakes, and a colleague where I work said the guy who owns twin lakes used to work for RJ Budge, so I asked the question to confirm if it was the same guy (whom I think is English as I have never been to twin lakes)
Is that a problem ??

Sorry, started to glaze over and moved on.

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