Brand new Motorhomer (1 Viewer)

[Canary Glenn]

Hi Everyone
This is my first post. I have finally bought a Motorhome, a dream of mine for years.
I have purchased a 2005 Elddis Autoquest. Probably not the best time of year to buy but we saw it and fell in love with it and took the plunge.

I plan to have a few local trips before I retire in May and then it's off to Europe for what I hope to be a 10 Country tour!

I would really appreciate any advice, tips about Motorhoming and any ideas about good areas to see in Europe.
A silly question but are you allowed to just stop in a layby etc in Europe or is it illegal/dangerous? This is how naïve I am!

Thank You for reading

 

[Dawn B]

Hi &

 

[swidy]

from Yorkshire ask away

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[Judge Mental]

not a bit of it! great time to buy not to sell..hope you squeezed a good deal

 

[Popeye]

Hi Canary Glenn and. We all have to start somewhere, jump in at the deep end why don'tcha.

Plenty of advice on here about French lay-byes (Aires) I've just retired myself so might see you out there.

You're in good company in Norwich, having said that I suppose I should ask if you're a close friend of..Nah it won't make any difference anyway.

You haven't got webbed feet have you? ....... Griff

 

[Wicketter]

Welcome, our first van was an Elddis and we loved it. Loads of useful info on here!

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[injebreck99]

Hi, welcome to the Norfolk Mafia, if you need any advice locally, servicing etc, PM me for info.

 

[Larrynwin]

Hiya neighbour, welcome to fun and congratulations , great times ahead

 

[lorger]

Hi and welcome, mainland Europe is so much more motorhome friendly compared to UK. Have a look at the French Aires system which is a place for MH's to stay a night or two, make sure you don't get mixed up with motorway Aires they're more like service stations and not great for overnighting.

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[scousebird]

Hello

Try searching "Aires" in the search box and you'll find loads of info about them.
Have a look at

Broken Link Removed

Vicarious books sell "All the Aires" which gives a lot of info

And pay your subs to become a full member & ask loads of questions

 

[HymerB544]

Hi and welcome! I find that half the fun in making a long journey is in planning where and when (in general terms) to go. You can read and learn loads on European travelling on this site, in the MMM, which always has articles on readers travels, and you can buy books on how to prepare (have a look at Vicarious Books website) and then you can decide whether to use Aires, campsites or a mix. Get the All the Aires books and an ACSI card from Vicarious Books too. You will feel a little nervous for the first few days out, but it is amazing how quickly you drop into th lifestyle, which is unbeatable. Gary

 

[Armytwowheels]

Hello and welcome.

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[LAM]

Canary Glenn, I too have the same van type (not withstanding the model ?!). We are only '1 year virgins', gosh haven't used that word in many a year !!!!! Our first trip was to Europe and made a very expensive (novice) mistake in not being a member of ACSI. Have since rectified that and with only a couple of trips have more than reaped the rewards ! We have also been around the UK (a bit). Off to see the 'Festival of Light' at Longleat (Wiltshire) this weekend as we missed it last year. Have invested in many clubs which all are helpful for various reasons. I think once you decide on where you and what you want things will fall into place. Enjoy your travels, maybe we will meet at some rally/meet, also a great thing to do !!

 

[Brian and Jo]

Hi there and welcome to MHF
Brian & Jo

 

[gus-lopez]

You are spoilt for choice ,especially in France with places to stop.

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[Don Quixote]

I hope your new toy brings lots of miles, laughter and of course fun. Ask here and someone will know. Welcome.

 

[grumps147]

Hello and

 

[The Dudess]

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[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[DBK]

Hi Everyone
This is my first post. I have finally bought a Motorhome, a dream of mine for years.
I have purchased a 2005 Elddis Autoquest. Probably not the best time of year to buy but we saw it and fell in love with it and took the plunge.

I plan to have a few local trips before I retire in May and then it's off to Europe for what I hope to be a 10 Country tour!

I would really appreciate any advice, tips about Motorhoming and any ideas about good areas to see in Europe.
A silly question but are you allowed to just stop in a layby etc in Europe or is it illegal/dangerous? This is how naïve I am!

Thank You for reading

Welcome!

If you are leaving in May I suggest head south for the best weather, so perhaps through France to Spain, you could then work back to Italy where there is a lot to see in the north. Lots to see in the far south too but its a long way. After that entirely up to you, stay in the south of Europe accepting it gets mega hot in high summer or explore northern Europe, Norway is spectacular if you want to go that far.

As to where to stop I can only suggest see what works for you. There are folk who almost exclusively wild camp, others only use aires and wouldn't be seen dead in a campsite. When we started we used campsites but now use a mixture of aires and sites. You can certainly wild camp but you can get moved on in some places but the advantage of aires is most of them have facilities for waste dumping and taking on fresh water. Give them all a go and then decide which is best for your style of travelling.

 

[Canary Glenn]

Thank you for all your replies. I feel welcome already. Can't wait to get started

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[snailtrailer]

Welcome Glenn - we're another couple living in Norfolk. Suggestion! sign up for John @Jaws meet and get to know other locals. (You have to be a paid up member £15 a year)

Pamela and Derek

 

[Anthea M]

Hello and welcome we were so excited with our first van and trips out ! On our 3rd van and still just as excited when we set off , you will have a wonderful time ! ENJOY!

 

[etap]

Welcome and good travelling.
You can stop on lay-bys also service areas, but you put yourself at risk, far better to stay on Aires or campsites, I assume you are talking about overnight,
Good luck.

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[MikeD]

Hi welcome to the Fun

You will love your first trip into Europe mainland.

 

[Mr Ed]

 

[TerryL]

Everything that's been said above. Just one point - don't try to travel too far too quickly; take your time. We made that mistake on our first trip and all we saw was miles (sorry kilometres) of tarmac. If you see something interesting STOP - don't put it on a "we'll come back to it" list. You never do.

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[pigginchilli]

Hi, we are new too, just stay in Norfolk its lovely we may move there soon from north Yorkshire.

 

[Momo]

Hi Canary Glenn and welcome to the Fun!

 

[garjanco]

Hi and welcome to fun. We started motor homing last March after having a VW camper.
Been to France 3 times already used a mix of aires and campsites invested in All The Aires book and ACSI both invaluable. Enjoy

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