Newbie needing some tips or advice please

[kingham king]

Well hello,
this is my first post. Basically I’ve taken the plunge and bought myself a autosleeper kingham, and want to do a bit of a road trip around France and Spain, to begin. I spent 23 years in Royal Navy, and only spent the whole time in pubs around the world, so to give my liver a rest (well, not completely), I was hoping for advice? What do I need (apart from passport and fuel)? are there any forms or documents I need? Is there a good route planner or app I could use? Any essentials needed…….. I think you get my point !
thank you in advance for anything you can help me with, and maybe one day we will be in the same place for a tipple or 10!!! (Liver complaining at me already)!

 

[ChrisSue]

By heck Navy uniforms have changed!

 

[AndyPK]

Ahoy, there!
Welcome from Ciren!

 

[Phill D]

Hi and welcome.
Suggest you familiarise yourself with French Aires, acsi campsites the 2vmain modes of stopping off in France as a starter.
You will need to carry all your vehicle documents with you v5, mot etc.
Read some of the blogs on here about others travels.
Then just go.
We have never ever booked anything except shuttle or ferry when travelling to France or Spain, unless you are planning on travelling in the main holiday season mid July to late August.

 

[kingham king]

By heck Navy uniforms have changed!

A lot better now ha ha

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[ChrisSue]

Is that not the new one? Clothing the crew from slops?

 

[kingham king]

Hi and welcome.
Suggest you familiarise yourself with French Aires, acsi campsites the 2vmain modes of stopping off in France as a starter.
You will need to carry all your vehicle documents with you v5, mot etc.
Read some of the blogs on here about others travels.
Then just go.
We have never ever booked anything except shuttle or ferry when travelling to France or Spain, unless you are planning on travelling in the main holiday season mid July to late August.

Thank you for reply
so I should look at booking in July/august? Thanks

 

[kingham king]

Is that not the new one? Clothing the crew from slops?

Ha ha good old slops

 

[Bailey 15]

Thank you for reply
so I should look at booking in July/august? Thanks

Don’t think they meant that!, if you go july n august mayb u need to pre book sites.
Other times just go and explore, but I can only go july n august and I am getting the feeling it’s the time to avoid!
Enjoy

 

[kingham king]

Don’t think they meant that!, if you go july n august mayb u need to pre book sites.
Other times just go and explore, but I can only go july n august and I am getting the feeling it’s the time to avoid!
Enjoy

Thanks my fellow “Jenner” plymothian

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[kingham king]

Thanks my fellow “Jenner” plymothian

I meant janner

 

[David and Sally]

 

[PP Bear]

Enjoy your travels and keep us updated with photos of the adventures, but try not to make them all about the inside of the bars

Brother was 24 years FAA, so I painfully have to be reminded of the senior service, WAFU and the navy lark.

Welcome aboard shippers.

️

 

[kingham king]

Enjoy your travels and keep us updated with photos of the adventures, but try not to make them all about the inside of the bars

Brother was 24 years FAA, so I painfully have to be reminded of the senior service, WAFU and the navy lark.

Welcome aboard shippers.

️

View attachment 635866

Cheers oppo, and happy travelling

 

[Landy Andy]

Down loads searchforsites (other apps available) and go. Enjoy the place that welcomes motorhomes

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[TheBig1]

What many newbies are shocked by is the EU ruling of a maximum 90 days in any 180 visiting the Schengen countries. It has put an end to 6 month tours for most, unless you or your partner has an EU passport

 

[ChrisSue]

Remember that few shops open on Sunday and some don't on a Monday. Also lunchtime closing is usually between 12 and 2

 

[Phill D]

Thank you for reply
so I should look at booking in July/august? Thanks

I would avoid those months personally but as long as you are away from the main holiday areas could be OK.

 

[uzsnowdrop]

Its pretty much like the Navy, you just need beer..

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thank you for reply
so I should look at booking in July/august? Thanks

For July/August in coastal resorts or popular Dordogne/Loire riverside, then yes booking could be advised. French holiday makers flock to water because it can be so hot. If you are new to MHs, you may not realise how hot a tin can can get.
If possible, stay inland and check weather forecasts and go where the weather is best suited, I always check the Ventusky weather app.
The other app that I use a lot in Europe is Camper Contact, great for reviews and places to go.
Outside July/August get an ACSI discount card to save money on campsite charges. In a van like yours, we find it nice to have facilities such as decent long hot shower and a bit of shady space around us every 4/5 days or so. There is often a swimming pool and bar/restaurant.

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[kingham king]

Its pretty much like the Navy, you just need beer..

true

 

[kingham king]

For July/August in coastal resorts or popular Dordogne/Loire riverside, then yes booking could be advised. French holiday makers flock to water because it can be so hot. If you are new to MHs, you may not realise how hot a tin can can get.
If possible, stay inland and check weather forecasts and go where the weather is best suited, I always check the Ventusky weather app.
The other app that I use a lot in Europe is Camper Contact, great for reviews and places to go.
Outside July/August get an ACSI discount card to save money on campsite charges. In a van like yours, we find it nice to have facilities such as decent long hot shower and a bit of shady space around us every 4/5 days or so. There is often a swimming pool and bar/restaurant.

Thanks a lot, much appreciated, downloading the camper contact app right now. What is an ACSI discount card? And where can I get one of these? Cheers oppo

 

[Phill D]

Google acsi, there is an app, paid for and a discount card book. I find I get both.
Book is available from vicarious books on line comes with the discount card.

 

[Phill D]

U have to buy the book to get the discount card. But I find the app most useful for locating sites and camperstops

 

[Riverbankannie]

This is main website but be careful not to get drawn into automatic subscription.

Order CampingCard ACSI | Camp for less in the low season

With the CampingCard ACSI you can camp for €11, €13, €14, €17 or €19 per night with 2 people in the low season, making your holiday that bit cheaper

www.campingcard.co.uk

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[Riverbankannie]

The card and books also available here

ACSI CampingCard 2025 English edition from Vicarious Books Media

2025 ASCI discount CampingCard. Join the annual discount camping scheme and save up to 60% off UK campsites fees and camping sites in France, Spain and all over Europe. Cheap campsites for motorhomes, campervans, caravans and tents. Dispatched and sold in the UK by Vicarious Books Media

www.vicarious-shop.com

And here

ACSI Card and Guides

Perfect for any traveller looking for flexibility, not wishing to book a site stay in advance. Up to 60% discount at over 3,600 campsites across Europe.

www.caravanclub.co.uk

They are only valid for one jan - dec year.

The set fee includes unit, 2 people and EHU so for those sites that charge individually it can be a significant saving and I reckon on 4 nights to save the up front cost.

 

[Reallyretired]

Acsi only gives off season discounts, so not useful July August.
We dont book and even in August had no problems.
If you use sites, most French ones except the largest, close the reception for Lunch. 12 till 2 and sometimes 3. Spanish ones likewise for Siesta time which may be as long as 12 till 5. Aires are always open.

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN. I did 20 years in the Royal Navy and have been out 28 years. Happy travels.

 

[Manic]

We useAires in France mainly and use
All the Aires books ( north and south) by Vicarious books
CamperContacts

For the period your talking about going I wouldn’t bother with ACSI ( off season only)

Does your van have refillable gas or Calor

 

[Landy Andy]

We go every year in July and never book anything. ACSI is no use during this period anyway, and only useful if you use site, rather than use the thousands of cheap/free aires.