Tuesday 17th December
We are parked up on a campsite just outside Boulogne, another €16.00! We were trying to avoid campsites for the last couple of days of our journey but the free camping places we looked at today had no facilities so here we are. Next to a busy railway line but a view over the hedge to the Channel. When we arrived the lass on reception showed us a plan of the site and we settled on a space. The campsite was empty of tourers when we arrived and the space allocated was on a slope, I couldn't be bothered getting out the levelling ramps so we pitched up on the spot next door, which was flat. Hooked up the electric, put the screen on the front window, had a walk to locate and inspect the loos and settled down with a stubby before getting the evening meal prepared. I wandered about to stretch my legs and saw another UK Motorhome arrive and by the time I got back he was parked next to us. I gave him a wave, said hello and the guy responded by saying that I was parked on "his" spot. I suggested that it didn't really matter as there were another 20 pitches to choose from should anyone else turn up. He wasn't happy and said he would have to go down to the office and seek further advice. I haven't seen him since so I guess he's happy where he is eh?
It's been remarkable how little traffic we've seen over the last five and a half weeks, both in France and Spain. Compared to the UK the roads are virtually empty which makes for hassle free driving but the exceptions, obviously, are the major towns and cities. Travelling through Bordeaux, St Etienne and Valencia especially was a bit uncomfortable but we try and set the sat navs to avoid the bigger towns whenever possible. Rouen today was a nightmare; roads closed and a lot of traffic. When we are diverted due to accidents or road works we are reliant on the GPS to find us an alternative route, and quickly! Back home we can pretty much figure out where we are and where we should be headed but in a strange town with road signs in a "foreign" language it can be a problem. And French drivers aren't the most considerate or patient.
Wednesday 18th December
Tonight we are parked up on an Aire in Wissant, just south of Calais. We did our last bit of Christmas shopping this morning, had lunch and then went for a long walk along what seemed to be an endless sandy beach. Wissant is a small, pretty village which I would imagine would be very busy in the summer but like most places we've been to at this time of year we had the place to ourselves. Lots of restaurants, shops and small hotels closed for the winter but handy for us being only fifteen minutes from the Channel Tunnel. We've no wifi so by the time I post this we'll be back in England.
If you've been reading this blog for the last six weeks, thank you. If you want more then check in again at the end of the month. We are back in France on the 29th December and after celebrating New Year 2014 with our daughter and her family in St Etienne we will be off a again to Spain and then Morocco before coming back again to England late March.
Wishing you all a Merry and Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
Pat & Phil
We are parked up on a campsite just outside Boulogne, another €16.00! We were trying to avoid campsites for the last couple of days of our journey but the free camping places we looked at today had no facilities so here we are. Next to a busy railway line but a view over the hedge to the Channel. When we arrived the lass on reception showed us a plan of the site and we settled on a space. The campsite was empty of tourers when we arrived and the space allocated was on a slope, I couldn't be bothered getting out the levelling ramps so we pitched up on the spot next door, which was flat. Hooked up the electric, put the screen on the front window, had a walk to locate and inspect the loos and settled down with a stubby before getting the evening meal prepared. I wandered about to stretch my legs and saw another UK Motorhome arrive and by the time I got back he was parked next to us. I gave him a wave, said hello and the guy responded by saying that I was parked on "his" spot. I suggested that it didn't really matter as there were another 20 pitches to choose from should anyone else turn up. He wasn't happy and said he would have to go down to the office and seek further advice. I haven't seen him since so I guess he's happy where he is eh?
It's been remarkable how little traffic we've seen over the last five and a half weeks, both in France and Spain. Compared to the UK the roads are virtually empty which makes for hassle free driving but the exceptions, obviously, are the major towns and cities. Travelling through Bordeaux, St Etienne and Valencia especially was a bit uncomfortable but we try and set the sat navs to avoid the bigger towns whenever possible. Rouen today was a nightmare; roads closed and a lot of traffic. When we are diverted due to accidents or road works we are reliant on the GPS to find us an alternative route, and quickly! Back home we can pretty much figure out where we are and where we should be headed but in a strange town with road signs in a "foreign" language it can be a problem. And French drivers aren't the most considerate or patient.
Wednesday 18th December
Tonight we are parked up on an Aire in Wissant, just south of Calais. We did our last bit of Christmas shopping this morning, had lunch and then went for a long walk along what seemed to be an endless sandy beach. Wissant is a small, pretty village which I would imagine would be very busy in the summer but like most places we've been to at this time of year we had the place to ourselves. Lots of restaurants, shops and small hotels closed for the winter but handy for us being only fifteen minutes from the Channel Tunnel. We've no wifi so by the time I post this we'll be back in England.
If you've been reading this blog for the last six weeks, thank you. If you want more then check in again at the end of the month. We are back in France on the 29th December and after celebrating New Year 2014 with our daughter and her family in St Etienne we will be off a again to Spain and then Morocco before coming back again to England late March.
Wishing you all a Merry and Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
Pat & Phil
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