Cold enough to break the rules... (1 Viewer)

[Randommoose]

We are down in France near Clement-Ferrand in the volcano area (Orcines) and it is very cold and howling with wind. Sleet, snow, rain, wind, cloud so far today.

We are the only ones at this aire so decided to do what's needed to get some sleep. The van was rocking all over the place in the wind.

So steadies down, external silver screens on, just turned around and parked diagonally across two bays to nose into the wind. That was actually fun doing it in the dark with a torch and silver screens on (they fold down!) We've had to pay for electricity to to run heating as the solar couldn't charge anything today and we haven't driven today. It's an automated paid commercial aire so no-one here to even see us.

I'm looking forward to making it further south to at least get sunshine for the solar and hopefully a little warmer. We've seen the sun on only one day in the last week!

 

[Mikeco]

We take the long ferry now to Spain but when we did used to drive through France it was as quickly as possible down the Western side, too cold to hang about. Unless you are spending the Winter in France of course.

 

[Randommoose]

No, we took the tunnel last Thursday. We need a rest day today and the aire is nice (though paid grr) but the weather is rubbish and the local area no good in bad weather. I'm not climbing a volcano in this!

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[Randommoose]

Every night other than our first one we've had every aire to ourselves. It is quite nice!

 

[Theonlysue]

I wonder if you would have been better having back of the van to the wind so it's not coming through the cab floor where the peddles are?

 

[The2i's]

I wonder if you would have been better having back of the van to the wind so it's not coming through the cab floor where the peddles are?

Sounds like a good idea to me. We were at Keswick CCC site last night in extremely windy conditions and were head-on into the wind. Just before we went to bed, all hell let loose - it sounded like ten men were beating the van with sticks! The front part of the external cover (Taylor made) had separated from one of the side sections and then, as the sides were held in place by the doors, both sides of the van got 'whipped' by the covers. It was pretty miserable out in torrential rain and howling gales gathering up the cover and stuffing it all back in the van!
At least I wasn't in my p.j.'s .

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[Mickey1]

We are down in France near Clement-Ferrand in the volcano area (Orcines) and it is very cold and howling with wind. Sleet, snow, rain, wind, cloud so far today.

We are the only ones at this aire so decided to do what's needed to get some sleep. The van was rocking all over the place in the wind.

So steadies down, external silver screens on, just turned around and parked diagonally across two bays to nose into the wind. That was actually fun doing it in the dark with a torch and silver screens on (they fold down!) We've had to pay for electricity to to run heating as the solar couldn't charge anything today and we haven't driven today. It's an automated paid commercial aire so no-one here to even see us.

I'm looking forward to making it further south to at least get sunshine for the solar and hopefully a little warmer. We've seen the sun on only one day in the last week!

I was wondering what was coming next when I read this bit, lol.

Mickey

 

[yodeli]

@Randommoose

Hi
If you're heading towards Toulouse, you can have a free and safe stopover at my place.

Don't go to Pont de Rupé Campsite as quite unsafe to say the least!

Unfortunately I don't have much time for socialising but there's no prob if you want to stay while I'm working or away. I used to have a drink or even a meal with Funsters, but not possible now.
Drop me a PM if you want my details /mobile number.
I see you haven't been members for a long time so feel free to ask on here whether you can come to my place without fear.

Amicalement
Frankie

 

[Decker]

Don't go to Pont de Rupé Campsite as quite unsafe to say the least!

What are the risks at this campsite?

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[Northernraider]

What are the risks at this campsite?

That's a nice looking old type 2 bay in your avatar. I had a westy that same colour

 

[Randommoose]

I wonder if you would have been better having back of the van to the wind so it's not coming through the cab floor where the peddles are?

Luckily we don't get any drafts into the cab, it seems really well sealed ☺

The front part of the external cover (Taylor made) had separated from one of the side sections...

At least I wasn't in my p.j.'s .

The cover stayed together but we did have to wrap up a couple of straps as they were being really noisy.
I've had to deal with a flapping bicycle cover before at 3am in my pyjamas while it was snowing. I ended up soaked and so cold!

@yodeli thank you so much for your kind offer! We aren't heading your way but are really grateful There seem to be lots of friendly people on this forum and you are one of them.

We managed to get some sleep and it did calm down into the small hours. The main problem was the bicycle cover flapping noisily even though it is held down with loads of bungees. When you look at it it is only small areas flapping, they are just noisy!

Anyway, we'll probably do a long day today and get down a lot further south, hopefully to better weather. It isn't as windy now so will be safe to drive.

Moose ☺

 

[BreweryDave]

Jump onto the A75 motorway and get down past Perpignan easily, only toll is the millau viaduct but it's worth it.

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[yodeli]

What are the risks at this campsite?

Robbery, different attacks. Just type the name of the campsite and have a look at tripadvisor comments, you'll have a few details. It sits in Fenouillet departement 31
I know this area as not far from a commercial center I used to go to when I was living in L'Union with my parents. Things have gone worse with time.
Most of the time when you arrive in the area you have that feeling you know.... looking around you, and all you want is go away!

 

[Decker]

It is always confusing when you read reviews. Same week in June
"Perfect for touring Toulouse"
"Hell hole avoid at all costs"

I think I will avoid.

 

[yodeli]

Funnily the very bad comments seem to have disapeared about Pont de Rupé campsite... Last year they were still on, and other funsters had seen them. Changed owner? I doubt it as some of the good comments have been sent a year ago.
I know for sure that the gypsies camp next to the campsite hasn't gone , they are living there. Because of their habits (whatever you consider as a habit) the surroundings are dirty and .... smeely! A bit like my stadium when they left after 1 month and a half of pooing and peeing everywhere.

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[maison]

We stayed at Camping Pont de Rupé three years ago, not having seen @yodeli posts.

The site was full of old Caravans that hadn’t moved for years. Roofs were covered with tarpaulins and extra shelters were formed using pallets covered with ground sheets.

Several pitches had old vehicles jacked up or on bricks and the whole place looked “rough”. When walking around the site it felt like the old Western films where the stranger comes to town, the piano player in the saloon stops playing, and all eyes turn towards the stranger. Most unwelcoming.

We stayed the one night and left, never to return.

It was only a few weeks later that Yodeli warned members about the site.

 

[yodeli]

Sorry to @Randommoose for the diversion. Let's go back to the OP
Lots of strong winds down south too, so van might rock even more. In some areas wind is going to go up to 120kms/h so don't stay under old trees or too next to a low ( EDIT: lol of course mistake .... low is just the opposite of what I meant ... High!!!!) river as forecast says lots of rain as well!!!

 

[EuroTrotters]

Funnily the very bad comments seem to have disapeared about Pont de Rupé campsite... Last year they were still on, and other funsters had seen them. Changed owner? I doubt it as some of the good comments have been sent a year ago.
I know for sure that the gypsies camp next to the campsite hasn't gone , they are living there. Because of their habits (whatever you consider as a habit) the surroundings are dirty and .... smeely! A bit like my stadium when they left after 1 month and a half of pooing and peeing everywhere.

very poor reviews on other sites including google

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[Randommoose]

[QUOTE="yodeli, post: 2672096, member: 4394"
Lots of strong winds down south to, so van might rock even more. In some areas wind is going to go up to 120kms/h so don't stay under old trees or too next to a low river as forecast says lots of rain as well!!![/QUOTE]

We will find a sheltered and safe spot when we stop. Two trees broke overnight last night. When we moved the motorhome before the night we calculated where to park to be safe from all the trees. Just as well! Though admittedly they hadn't come down over the parking areas but could have done.

 

[busby]

Funnily the very bad comments seem to have disapeared about Pont de Rupé campsite... Last year they were still on, and other funsters had seen them. Changed owner? I doubt it as some of the good comments have been sent a year ago.
I know for sure that the gypsies camp next to the campsite hasn't gone , they are living there. Because of their habits (whatever you consider as a habit) the surroundings are dirty and .... smeely! A bit like my stadium when they left after 1 month and a half of pooing and peeing everywhere.

Probably after its bad press no one stops there now,,hence no comments,,,BUSBY.

 

[yodeli]

[QUOTE="yodeli, post: 2672096, member: 4394"
Lots of strong winds down south to, so van might rock even more. In some areas wind is going to go up to 120kms/h so don't stay under old trees or too next to a low river as forecast says lots of rain as well!!!

We will find a sheltered and safe spot when we stop. Two trees broke overnight last night. When we moved the motorhome before the night we calculated where to park to be safe from all the trees. Just as well! Though admittedly they hadn't come down over the parking areas but could have done.[/QUOTE]

I've edited my post. Down south TOO . And ,I didn't mean low but high rivers.... Toddlers can make me type anything when they start shouting next to me! My brain goes all funny lol

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[Randommoose]

Anyone know a sheltered site south of Millau? Just arrived at Aire Dr Saint Eulalie Dr Cernon and the wind is howling sideways down the pitches.

 

[Randommoose]

Thought it would be sheltered down in the valley but it isn't. Howling wind, rain and fog throughout the day and frankly we are fed up!
If anyone has suggestions that would be great.

 

[yodeli]

Sorry can't help . Usually when I take funsters to this place it's by car, and back home in the evening. Weather I'm afraid is about the same everywhere at the moment.
Best is to study the map with the forecast to have a better start tomorrow?...

Try this one


And also
http://france.lachainemeteo.com/meteo-france/ville/previsions-meteo-millau-3379-0.php

For Aveyron departement
http://france.lachainemeteo.com/meteo-france/departement/previsions-meteo-aveyron-12-0.php

Hope it improves a bit!

Frankie

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[Randommoose]

Thanks Frankie @yodeli I'll have a look at the links. I'm not expecting to get out of the weather as it appears to be everywhere, but I'll see what the forecast says and use that to help decide where to go tomorrow.


We have found a sheltered space at La Couveroirade so are very happy with that There are two other motorhomes here too and one has just repositioned to get out of the wind. There are hedges and trees which do a great job as wind breaks, hopefully none break!

Thank you also for replying, any reply helps when feeling fed up and it cheered me up