Views on Overnighting

[Two of usI]

We have for years now driven off the ferry at Caen and done a couple;e of hours then overnighted in the Motorway Service areas....... have found some really lovely ones, but, in the back of my mind I seem to recall some people have had issues with security........ anyone have some solid advice as to wether we are safe doing this or should we come off the motorway and find a spot ???? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[eddie]

In the height of the Summer tens if not hundreds of thousands of travellers use the Motorway Service Areas to sleep, it is what they are designed for.

Our first night some many years ago, we sat sweltering in the motorhome. It was about 20 degrees outside and about 30 degrees inside. The doors were locked the alarm was on, the windows all checked, fire extinguisher ready by the bed, Seats turned around so the backed would face an opened door, seat belts wrapped around them to make a trip hazard and we heard a noise!

We peered out to see a car reversing up to us! This is it I thought as I was reaching out for the fire extinguisher. The car stopped a few feet in front of us and two people exited the car, stretched and simultaneously looked towards our camper!

Then, slowly as if in no haste whatsoever, they opened the boot of this nice looking convertible (who says crime doesn't pay?) and the man, as yes it was a couple, a really nicely dressed couple actually, lifted out a blanket (Do they use the blanket to roll the bodies up in?) Ah, its a Picnic blanket, I realised as he shook it out on the grass adjacent to where we'd parked, where he was joined by the nicely dressed (I now realised) lady with a wicker picnic basket, and they enjoyed a glass of wine and some food.

Food over, the basket was replaced in the boot, and a second blanket was produced, "Now what are they doing" we (I) Lyn at this point had given up "curtain twitching" poured herself a glass of wine and was sat reading her book, thought?

They got into their car, reclined the seats settled down with their blankets and settled for the night.

I did at that point wonder if I was being a little bit paranoid the following morning, not helped when half dozen motorcyclists had arrived sometime during the night and chucked sleeping bags on the grass and gone to sleep!

I am off in a couple of weeks to Spain and will use Motorway Service areas to overnight on the way down and back up, always have always will!

 

[haganap]

Like you I have done this on numerous occasions. However, be warned, there are loads and I mean loads of stories of people being robbed in such areas right under the noses of fuel stations in busy areas.

I suppose, a huge dog like mine that Barks at the slightest of noises on the van is a bit of a deterrent,

 

[Northernraider]

In the height of the Summer tens if not hundreds of thousands of travellers use the Motorway Service Areas to sleep, it is what they are designed for.

Our first night some many years ago, we sat sweltering in the motorhome, it was about 20 degrees outside and about 30 degrees inside. The doors were locked the alarm was on, the windows all checked, fire extinguisher ready by the bed, Seats turned around so the backed would face an opened door, seat belts wrapped around them to make a trip hazard and we heard a noise!

We peered out to see a car reversing up to us! this is it I thought as I was reaching out for the fire extinguisher. The car stopped a few feet in front of us and two people exited the car, stretched and simultaneously looked towards our camper!

Then slowly as if in no haste whatsoever, they opened the boot of this nice looking convertible (who says crime doesn't pay?) and the man, as yes it was a couple, a really nicely dress couple actually, lifted out a blanket (do they use the blanket to roll the bodies up in? Ah, its a Picnic blanket, I realised as he shook it out on the grass adjacent to where we'd parked, where he was joined by the nicely dressed (I now realised) lady with a wicker picnic basket, and they enjoyed a glass of wine and some food.

Food over, the basket was replaced in the boot, and a second blanket was produced, "Now what are they doing" we (I) Lyn at this point had given up "curtain twitching" poured herself a glass of wine and was sat reading her book.

They got into their car, reclined the seats settled down with their blankets and settled for the night.

I did at that point wonder if I was being a little bit paranoid the following morning, not helped when half dozen motorcyclists had arrived sometime during the night and chucked sleeping bags on the grass and gone to sleep!

I am off in a couple of weeks to Spain and will use Motorway Service areas to overnight on the way down and back up, always have always will!

The funny was for the body blankets and curtain twitching.

 

[Northernraider]

Ive never used any of the service stops purely for the noise factor. But if you feel safer going off the motorway then its worth the short deviation for peace of mind.

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[Spriddler]

I suppose, a huge dog like mine that Barks at the slightest of noises on the van is a bit of a deterrent,

Or a tape recorder like Arkwright.

 

[Suenliam]

Sorry not really answering your main point, but when we take the late afternoon ferry to Caen we drive (for just under 2 hours non motorway) to Sees. There's a layby on the by-pass which suits us fine. Very quiet but there are usually a couple of lorries there and the Google street view shows quite a few MHs parked during the day. I think a motorway runs near to Sees. There's an accent over the second "e" but I don't know how to type that

Sue

 

[MisterB]

which route are you taking from Caen, i am pretty sure you are driving past quite a few Aires, off the motorway, that will be a lot quieter !

 

[Two of usI]

which route are you taking from Caen, i am pretty sure you are driving past quite a few Aires, off the motorway, that will be a lot quieter !

We leave Caen and head for Renne, then down towards Nantes...... usually we get to a service area about 30 mls past Renne !!!

 

[nicholsong]

Like you I have done this on numerous occasions. However, be warned, there are loads and I mean loads of stories of people being robbed in such areas right under the noses of fuel stations in busy areas.

I suppose, a huge dog like mine that Barks at the slightest of noises on the van is a bit of a deterrent,

Deterrent? Yes it would deter me from parking anywhere near you - so we could get a good night's sleep.

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[138go]

We've had a couple of frights, so we always use the French Aires, that are a bit off the beaten track. I don't sleep especially well at the best of times, so listening to someone walking around the motorhome and trying the door isn't my idea of bliss. Another time, we'd parked up and a van parked next to us. I casually looked over at the two guys in the cab and one of them had a Crocodile Dundee sized knife. We left in a bit of a hurry.

 

[MisterB]

We leave Caen and head for Renne, then down towards Nantes...... usually we get to a service area about 30 mls past Renne !!!

we used this one recently, about 5 mins off your route and about 30 mins or so before Rennes.

St Germain en Cogles, Britttany, just off the A84, not far from Fougeres - lovely stop over

We are on our way home from the Vendee and are trying to take our time and visit or pass through a few places en route that have Aires, that we wouldnt normally stop at. Tonights stopover is at St Germain en Cogles, Brittany. Its not far from Fougeres, where we have stayed before and thoroughly...

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