Here we go again ..... France encore ?

[Baileysbus]

Well here we are at the start of our trundle through France ..... we’re at Domaine de la Pommeraie 18852 on Campercontact. Rammed full with Dutch folk and a guy from NZ heading to the Uk
Bit of a saga on the way down ..... due largely to forgetfulness by yours truly. First off we left Sunday after picking the van from storage ...... no water available so no big deal, we’d head off anyway. 50 miles out and realised I’d left all the dogs leads and stuff in the car so stopped off in Berwick and replenished at unnecessary expense
Stopped overnight near York and leisure battery dead as a dodo so a night in the dark followed ........ Headed on south and detoured in Kent eventually found Caravan Tech Services in Hurst Green. Even though they were busy they helped out; confirmed battery was dud and supplied and replaced the battery and had us on our way in 30mins. Brilliant service and a great bunch of folk.
Onward to Canterbury P+R and an overnight there ....... it was rammed too!! Tunnel this morning and here we are!!
Heading for Lyon la Foret tomorrow and then weaving our way south to the Dordogne eventually. Here for a month so I’ll add more and some pics when the G+T wears off and we get some miles under our belts.

 

[Jane And Rog]

Used to live in Hurst Green - the Chinese / Malaysian restaurant there is excellent.

 

[Baileysbus]

So headed down today to Lyon la foret. Been here before as it turns out but very bonny and worth a visit.
For the most part it was a good run down although need for diesel forced us into ..... and through Abbeville ? ....... and then there’s the random “Route Baree” that pop up randomly causing havoc with the sat nag.
When we arrived at Lyon la Foret it was of course Mercredi which, much like Lundi and half of Dimanche, meant everything was closed Hey ho ....... down on the campsite just now and hoping to get to the local market tomorrow then off south again. Tried to post pics but no joy with the signal. Will try later.

 

[DBK]

You're not a million miles from us, we're near Le Havre but heading north towards the coast tomorrow. It was wet today but sunnier now. Forecast looks reasonable but should better further south. Too close to the UK here.

 

[Baileysbus]

Same here weather wise. Bit wet during the day but lovely and sunny just now.

Big thumbs up ? for the Bialetti coffee maker by the way as suggested on the “essential things to have” thread. Thanks for posting that one. It makes brilliant coffee and is going a storm with fresh croissants ? in the morning

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[keithchesterfield2]

We're off towards the Dordogne in a couple of weeks, haven't even booked a crossing yet, so keep posting your journeys and make me jealous until we get there.

 

[Baileysbus]

By the river at the side of the campsite in Lyon la Foret just now. €20 with ACSI and all facilities ...... which to be fair we all needed..... dog included ..... much less whiffier in the moho

 

[Baileysbus]

Trying to plan a shortish run south tomorrow avoiding major towns if possible. Any suggestions of wee places worth going through in a SW direction from say east of Rouen to East of Alencon? Just D and N roads ideally and definitely nowhere near Paris ?

 

[DBK]

Trying to plan a shortish run south tomorrow avoiding major towns if possible. Any suggestions of wee places worth going through in a SW direction from say east of Rouen to East of Alencon? Just D and N roads ideally and definitely nowhere near Paris ?

It's a bit west of your planned route but the campsite at Falaise, CC22068 and ACSI, is a gem. I described our stay on this thread, starting at the end of post #8. One of the best sites we've been on for a while. If you can't do it on the way down, try and do a swerve by it on the way back, if it is open.

Two Potter Around Northern France

After our trip to Corsica earlier this year I felt our next excursion should involve less distance and fewer sheer drops on the side of the road. Corsica was a delight and the scenery stunning but something less demanding will go down nicely over the next couple of months. And so yesterday we...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Baileysbus]

Bonsoir tous ........
So we started the day with a steaming pot of coffee and some fresh croissants and a baguette ?? then headed for the marche in Lyon la Foret. To be fair, there wasn’t much there so we bought a few things then headed off south.
Decided on doing a D road donder and we’re aiming for a fine sounding campsite CC no. 23095. Sounded a lovely place and a wee treat so headed off via some lovely villages especially Croisy sur Eure. Managed a photo through the window as there was no obvious stopping place ........ slow internet again so no pic sadly.
Anyhow, said campsite turned out to be full ...... well actually it’s set up for tuggers and only has 2 Moho spaces both taken ?. So we are now along the road at the aire in Bretoncelles CC no. 23095. Good wee site with room for 6 and grey/chemical waste disposal all free ? so that will help bring the average down.
Roads are still a joy to drive and autumn is arriving with some of the leaves starting to turn.
So far so good ........ generally south again tomorrow

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[LesW]

We like Lyon la Foret, nice quiet site and the town is lovely..

 

[Baileysbus]

Bonsoir mes amis

So last nights aire was a wee winner ? Grey and chemical waste disposal free with water on jetons. Other than that it was free with easy handy walking for the dog ? so well recommended.
Today we decided to head on south towards Azay Le Rideau. We were here last year and a new car park was being built. The aire appears to have shifted to beside the campsite (cc number 81444). There’s 50 places all under woodland ....€10.80 a night including electric and so far as I can see, access to the toilet block and showers in the campsite. Perfect.
The run down was mostly D roads again except for one “route baree “ ? which caused the usual cock up with the nav and then a squeaky bum time going round Tours when the roads got a bit busier. However, once here it was a well deserved

New season Grimbergen ambre ....... highly recommended ?
We of course had a wander round the chateau grounds ....... just lovely

Beautiful blue skies and mid 20’s temperatures with not too many folk about. What’s not to like ☺ Marche in the morning and we’ll see what’s what after that ?

 

[Baileysbus]

Stayed another day in Azay as it’s a lovely day and we’re in no rush. Off to the brocante fair at Montsoreau tomorrow ?. Amazing what you find lying around in car parks too ?

 

[Grianan]

Keep posting .... I’m living vicariously through your posts ...

 

[Baileysbus]

Well it’s been a pottering about kind of day. I’d highly recommend that aire in Azay. Very comfortable and everything you need ?
Went along to the antiques fair at Montsoreau with the intention of staying the night on the campsite in the village but we got there a bit early and the guy was very sniffy about getting in so stuff him and we parked up on the edge of town.
Busy wee fair

We had the usual coffee by the roadside cafe listening to some random jazz troupe that turned up when several millions of £ of supercars went through

So after all that exciting stuff ..... and as we’re heading south anyway, I thought we’d get some of the boring roads out of the way and we’re now overnight at a free aire in the town of Couhe ....... free water/grey waste and chemical disposal. Cc no 1690. Looks like a fine wee town with an old market square. Going to stay here the night and move on down to Brantome tomorrow ?

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[Baileysbus]

Slight change of plan ........ Couhe was a bit ....... meh ....... and all quiet too anyway. No grass for the dog so we have moved down to Londigny in the churchyard (cc no 22122). On our own here ...... it has all facilities including free electric apparently but I’ve not sussed that yet. It really is full service I feel, as it’s Sunday and cars are arriving for mass!??‍

 

[Baileysbus]

This is a wee gem of a place ?. Totally peaceful. Water/grey/chemical/bins and toilets all available and free ...... oh and a free electric point too. We’re loving it ?

 

[Baileysbus]

So we motored on this morning about 120km through Charente and into the Dordogne mostly on wee D roads
Stopped in at Ruffec and then Verteuil sir Charente which was very pretty and of course, being Monday, mostly closed unless you wanted something from the chemist ?. Picture looking up to the chateau

Used the free aire in Verteuil to park up in (cc no 189) while we wandered about. Fine wee aire with a Park next to it so ? approved.
Trundled across country and headed for the aire at Brantome- cc 28771- arriving at half 5 and the place is mobbed ?. Here for tonight and tomorrow then off down to Sarlat area

 

[Baileysbus]

Moved on today from Brantome. Just a lovely wee town. Great restaurant just on the right on the corner towards town centre. Did a great entrecôte steak ??. Watched a kingfisher last night by the river. Magical stuff. The aire itself is getting a bit ropey. Hardly any places with electric and the water take on area was a bit grubby. No toilets either for a place that size....... but the town makes up for it.
Headed south now and stopped at Les Eysies briefly

Then did a wee shop in LEclerc in Sarlat where you can indeed buy hienz beans and Yorkshire tea

Now on the campsite on the Dordogne river .... CC number 59455 camping la place ..... pool, bar and all facilities. Here for a few days hopefully ?. Will post pics once we are properly set up.
It’s high 20’s I would say and the poplars and oaks are just starting to go autumn ? colours ........ it’s awful lovely ?

 

[Khizzie]

Bonsoir mes amis

So last nights aire was a wee winner ? Grey and chemical waste disposal free with water on jetons. Other than that it was free with easy handy walking for the dog ? so well recommended.
Today we decided to head on south towards Azay Le Rideau. We were here last year and a new car park was being built. The aire appears to have shifted to beside the campsite (cc number 81444). There’s 50 places all under woodland ....€10.80 a night including electric and so far as I can see, access to the toilet block and showers in the campsite. Perfect.
The run down was mostly D roads again except for one “route baree “ ? which caused the usual cock up with the nav and then a squeaky bum time going round Tours when the roads got a bit busier. However, once here it was a well deserved
View attachment 329538

New season Grimbergen ambre ....... highly recommended ?
We of course had a wander round the chateau grounds ....... just lovely
View attachment 329539

Beautiful blue skies and mid 20’s temperatures with not too many folk about. What’s not to like ☺ Marche in the morning and we’ll see what’s what after that ?

Quite jealous just got back to UK after 3 months s in the Dordogne where I also have a static.. Love Rideau, I used to stop at the camping carpark aire but understood it was closing... Saw a guy last year pull a huge catfish out of the river.. ? LOL

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[Baileysbus]

And here’s the view up river to La Rocque

It’s roasting and not a cloud in the sky

 

[Baileysbus]

Quite jealous just got back to UK after 3 months s in the Dordogne where I also have a static.. Love Rideau, I used to stop at the camping carpark aire but understood it was closing... Saw a guy last year pull a huge catfish out of the river.. ? LOL

They’ve shifted the aire from the wee slopes tarmac carpark down to the RHS of the campsite.
River was really low and didn’t see too many fish about but it would have been good to see a catfish landed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Bonsoir mes amis

So last nights aire was a wee winner ? Grey and chemical waste disposal free with water on jetons. Other than that it was free with easy handy walking for the dog ? so well recommended.
Today we decided to head on south towards Azay Le Rideau. We were here last year and a new car park was being built. The aire appears to have shifted to beside the campsite (cc number 81444). There’s 50 places all under woodland ....€10.80 a night including electric and so far as I can see, access to the toilet block and showers in the campsite. Perfect.
The run down was mostly D roads again except for one “route baree “ ? which caused the usual cock up with the nav and then a squeaky bum time going round Tours when the roads got a bit busier. However, once here it was a well deserved
View attachment 329538

New season Grimbergen ambre ....... highly recommended ?
We of course had a wander round the chateau grounds ....... just lovely
View attachment 329539

Beautiful blue skies and mid 20’s temperatures with not too many folk about. What’s not to like ☺ Marche in the morning and we’ll see what’s what after that ?

That Aire is closing soon the council are going to use it as a carpark.

 

[Fenman]

Lovely market in Brantome every Friday, stretches across the bridge, but it does make it very busy and the car park gets pretty full.

 

[Khizzie]

Lovely market in Brantome every Friday, stretches across the bridge, but it does make it very busy and the car park gets pretty full.

There are two large car parks besides the camping car one. One besides the camping car one for cars only and another huge one on the route to Thiviers which can be accessed by motorhomes usually plenty of room further up.

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[Baileysbus]

Been a bit quiet with posts as we are still here at the camping a la plage site just west of La Rocque. Still low 30’s, clear blue skies and it’s fab.
Went for a paddle on the Dordogne and visited Sarlat on Saturday for the market. Found parking on the way to the aire to the south of the town .... cc no. 44728 ( looked at the one to the north of the town but looked well dodgy and too big a hill for me anyway. So in the way to 44718 if you follow your sat nav you’ll find a 70 place car park much nearer town. Free parking and no hassle.
A few pics for you all.

And at Sarlat market

Visited nearby castle and gardens today before it got really hot ?

Staying for a few more days yet as we’re really enjoying the area. Van behaving too touch wood and dog ? going scuba diving in the river every day ?

 

[Baileysbus]

Still here at La Rocque Gageac on a campsite ..... still 33C and clear blue skies so it’s just been great so far. Think we’ll stay here a few more days.

So part of the reason for heading this way was 1) to get some sun before winter back home ....... which I take to less well as the years go by and 2) to suss out places we might buy a second home in with a view to settling down in if all goes well...... but certainly a holiday home that all our family can enjoy as well as us. So we found ourselves today and randomly so, in a village called Daglan just a few miles south of us. Drop dead gorgeous........ a few pics

It’s a lovely wee village. Well worth a visit if you’re passing through and definitely on our search list for the future ?

 

[Baileysbus]

Oh flippin eck it’s hot here today .......

Trying to stay cool and under shade and get the dog in the river for a soak ........ autumn ! Bah humbug.

 

[moulin 87]

Oh flippin eck it’s hot here today .......

View attachment 332185

Trying to stay cool and under shade and get the dog in the river for a soak ........ autumn ! Bah humbug.

Working on a patio a little to the north of you, only able to work 7.30 to 10.30 and again after 15.30 when it falls into shadow. Desperate for RAIN, but had so little for 15 months and none on the horizon...

 

[Baileysbus]

Working on a patio a little to the north of you, only able to work 7.30 to 10.30 and again after 15.30 when it falls into shadow. Desperate for RAIN, but had so little for 15 months and none on the horizon...

Blimey! Don’t envy you having to work in this heat ?. Hard enough staying hydrated never mind anything else!

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