Vlad The Impaler
Free Member
- Apr 22, 2012
- 1,633
- 2,227
- Funster No
- 20,691
- MH
- Coachbuilt
- Exp
- Since 2012 but longer in my dreams
Just back after our first France trip and a truly great experience was had by one and all.
We travelled down to Dover the night before the early ferry and spent the night on Marine Parade with numerous other vans,enjoyed fish and chips then bedded down for the night.The plan was to head on down and stop at Chartres for the night,however we made it down to a free aire by the Loire with a park and meadow for the kids to play in (recommended by a FUNSTER. ) This was our first experience of an aire and was a thoroughly enjoyable one mrs Vlad felt at ease and very secure.The next morning we went to visit family north of Limoges and spent 4 days enduring less than summery weather,cold winds rain and jumpers not the lasting memory of France we wanted!
The plan had been to head over to La Rochelle,visit the Isle de Rae,then work our way back up the coast over the next two weeks.The forecast was not great so after not much deliberation we thought sod it lets find some sun,after all that's why we got a Mh so we can go when and wherever we want.The sun was shining on the med so we decided on Beziers. Toll roads all the way via Toulouse and Narbonne about 65 euros in tolls.
We found a 4 star campsite at Valras Plage with water slides for the kids and right on the beach it was so good we stayed 9 nights.Kids loved it and didn't want to leave,they and the dog were free and with my ACSI card it only cost 163 euros! The weather was hot and sunny av temp 23,I also found a little supermarket selling local wine at 1.60 euro a litre
We headed back up over the Milau bridge (amazing structure) up to Chartres and stopped at the municipal site,walking in to see the light show on and around the Cathedral,this should not be missed if you get the chance.The last stop was a lovely campsite just outside Calais at Guines nice covered pool and small slide for the kids.
As I sit here and type this I suddenly see a plus side to being an older wrinkly FUNSTER with more money and time on my hands than I do now!
We travelled down to Dover the night before the early ferry and spent the night on Marine Parade with numerous other vans,enjoyed fish and chips then bedded down for the night.The plan was to head on down and stop at Chartres for the night,however we made it down to a free aire by the Loire with a park and meadow for the kids to play in (recommended by a FUNSTER. ) This was our first experience of an aire and was a thoroughly enjoyable one mrs Vlad felt at ease and very secure.The next morning we went to visit family north of Limoges and spent 4 days enduring less than summery weather,cold winds rain and jumpers not the lasting memory of France we wanted!
The plan had been to head over to La Rochelle,visit the Isle de Rae,then work our way back up the coast over the next two weeks.The forecast was not great so after not much deliberation we thought sod it lets find some sun,after all that's why we got a Mh so we can go when and wherever we want.The sun was shining on the med so we decided on Beziers. Toll roads all the way via Toulouse and Narbonne about 65 euros in tolls.
We found a 4 star campsite at Valras Plage with water slides for the kids and right on the beach it was so good we stayed 9 nights.Kids loved it and didn't want to leave,they and the dog were free and with my ACSI card it only cost 163 euros! The weather was hot and sunny av temp 23,I also found a little supermarket selling local wine at 1.60 euro a litre
We headed back up over the Milau bridge (amazing structure) up to Chartres and stopped at the municipal site,walking in to see the light show on and around the Cathedral,this should not be missed if you get the chance.The last stop was a lovely campsite just outside Calais at Guines nice covered pool and small slide for the kids.
As I sit here and type this I suddenly see a plus side to being an older wrinkly FUNSTER with more money and time on my hands than I do now!