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terryandbren6.blogspot.co.uk
Sunday 21 September 2014
Tuesday 3 June 2014
Saturday 31 May 2014
An early start as we are booked on the 0950 train, but want to try for earlier if possible. However we had been warned that it was a particularly busy time but nevertheless we were offered half an hour earlier, but then got a place on the previous departure.
Arrived at Folkestone in brilliant sunshine which however only lasted until the Dartford Tunnel and then became overcast until we were almost home. Usual boring run up the motorways, only enlivened by the A1 being closed near Stamford where Bren managed to divert us round the back of Peterborough to avoid the congestion.
Stopped off for lunch at a Little Chef at Markham Moor but then kept going until we arrived home around 4.45p.m. A good run so all that's left is to unload, clean and put Bertie away for a couple of weeks then tackle the mountain of washing!
In summary we once again enjoyed ourselves and very much liked Provence - apart from the obvious spectacular places we found it to be a quiet, pretty area ideal for just pottering around. We'll be back!
Arrived at Folkestone in brilliant sunshine which however only lasted until the Dartford Tunnel and then became overcast until we were almost home. Usual boring run up the motorways, only enlivened by the A1 being closed near Stamford where Bren managed to divert us round the back of Peterborough to avoid the congestion.
Stopped off for lunch at a Little Chef at Markham Moor but then kept going until we arrived home around 4.45p.m. A good run so all that's left is to unload, clean and put Bertie away for a couple of weeks then tackle the mountain of washing!
In summary we once again enjoyed ourselves and very much liked Provence - apart from the obvious spectacular places we found it to be a quiet, pretty area ideal for just pottering around. We'll be back!
Friday 30 May 2014
Friday 30 May 2014
We're not going anywhere today, just following the plan heretofore mentioned. After breakfast we took the van round to the other aire to empty the waste tanks and top up the water, then to Auchan to refuel. As always we also called in to make last minute purchases i.e. wine and beer!
Then back to the Marina to relax for the rest of the day, ready for the long slog back home tomorrow.
Then back to the Marina to relax for the rest of the day, ready for the long slog back home tomorrow.
Thursday 29 May 2014
Our intention was to make a bid for the Channel coast so an early start was made - again no services but we'll sort that out later. We were now travelling on better main roads, indeed at times on motorways but, whilst we normally avoid them, we took advantage this time to save time. We still drove for 4 hours non-stop, except to buy a baguette, but then we needed to find some fuel so a lunch stop was incorporated.
We had noted how unusually quiet it was everywhere, even for France. But then a check of the calendar showed it was Ascension Day, a public holiday in France and thus a bit of luck for us because it meant the traffic was much lighter than it would normally have been.
Having decided we were going to make it to the coast, we found a service point to empty the waste tanks and top up the water. Autoroute had picked out a fast run using non-toll motorways so we took advantage, skirting Lille and heading for Dunkerque. Our target was the aire at Gravelines but, probably due to the lateness of the day, it was full to overflowing. And so was Port St. Phillipe next door. More by luck than judgement, we found the brand new aire at Marck but couldn't work it out so cur our losses and headed for Calais Port. Which was full. Fortunately the Marina aire, being just a huge car-park, had plenty of room although there were many motorhomes already parked up.
At 7.00p.m. this was probably the latest we have ever left it, but our plan to shorten yesterdays run and do a long one today worked out. With just a little shopping and refuel to do tomorrow we can relax ready for the long slog home tomorrow.
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| Villeneuve au Chemin |
We had noted how unusually quiet it was everywhere, even for France. But then a check of the calendar showed it was Ascension Day, a public holiday in France and thus a bit of luck for us because it meant the traffic was much lighter than it would normally have been.
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| Chalons en Champagne |
Having decided we were going to make it to the coast, we found a service point to empty the waste tanks and top up the water. Autoroute had picked out a fast run using non-toll motorways so we took advantage, skirting Lille and heading for Dunkerque. Our target was the aire at Gravelines but, probably due to the lateness of the day, it was full to overflowing. And so was Port St. Phillipe next door. More by luck than judgement, we found the brand new aire at Marck but couldn't work it out so cur our losses and headed for Calais Port. Which was full. Fortunately the Marina aire, being just a huge car-park, had plenty of room although there were many motorhomes already parked up.
At 7.00p.m. this was probably the latest we have ever left it, but our plan to shorten yesterdays run and do a long one today worked out. With just a little shopping and refuel to do tomorrow we can relax ready for the long slog home tomorrow.
Wednesday 28 May 2014
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| Moulin de Mige |
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| Chateau at Montrond |
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| Picture caught our eye |
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| Motorway Art. Looks 3D but was actually a flat panel |
But of course we had not taken into account that after Nevers, where we stopped for lunch, we were going “cross-country” and progress, especially getting caught behind big lorries, was much slower so by the time we reached, and battled through, Auxerre it was well into late afternoon. Back to Plan A and an aire we had originally planned at Gurgy, on the Yonne river, was quickly reprogrammed into the satnav.
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| Auxerre Cathedral |
Tuesday 27 May 2014
From Montbrison, which was basically our last night in Provence as such, we now needed to get some miles under the wheels – France is quite a big country and you don’t realise just how far south you are until you come to plan the trip home.
So our route took us onto some of the faster roads now and the N7 is a good choice for progress without using the toll roads, although it does still go through towns and villages. Usually though there is a by-pass for the larger towns, such as Valance where we doubled back part way into town to do some shopping, get fuel and break for lunch.
Our plan took us through Roanne on the Loire where there is an aire right on the river, overlooking the marina and the town across the river. We got the last but one space (later learning that it had only just been vacated) and got the kettle on to enjoy once again late afternoon sunshine.
So our route took us onto some of the faster roads now and the N7 is a good choice for progress without using the toll roads, although it does still go through towns and villages. Usually though there is a by-pass for the larger towns, such as Valance where we doubled back part way into town to do some shopping, get fuel and break for lunch.
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| Sure we've seen that before somewhere! |
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| More roundabout art - Valance |
Our plan took us through Roanne on the Loire where there is an aire right on the river, overlooking the marina and the town across the river. We got the last but one space (later learning that it had only just been vacated) and got the kettle on to enjoy once again late afternoon sunshine.
Thursday 29 May 2014
Monday 26 May 2014
Although it rained into the night, we awoke to a dry light overcast that shortly turned back to broken clouds and sunshine, just right for our planned trip up Mont Ventoux. We couldn't get the service point to work so resolved to look out for another later and re-joined the Route Napoleon.
Veering off, we started climbing before spotting a service point in the lovely little village of Banon, which wasn't in the book so after making use of the facilities we made a note of all the details to submit later. The road up Mont Ventoux is a stage of the Tour de France cycle race and was being well used by cyclists, as well as a number of motor-cyclists, so we were constantly on the lookout on this winding but well-surfaced road. A bit narrow but perfectly adequate for us.
We took a break halfway up for lunch then continued to the top, down to 2nd and 3rd gear for much of the time. Peaking out at around 6000ft, we paused to take in the stunning all round view and try a couple of photos.
Coming down the other side was a slow affair, having to keep in a low gear to prevent running away. We paused halfway down to let the brakes cool off!
Then continuing north and west, we picked out a couple of aires then chose Montbrison, a small village in wine/olive oil country with a dedicated parking spot on the edge of the village. Joining a couple of other vans already in place, we again settled down for a quiet evening.
And it started to rain!
Veering off, we started climbing before spotting a service point in the lovely little village of Banon, which wasn't in the book so after making use of the facilities we made a note of all the details to submit later. The road up Mont Ventoux is a stage of the Tour de France cycle race and was being well used by cyclists, as well as a number of motor-cyclists, so we were constantly on the lookout on this winding but well-surfaced road. A bit narrow but perfectly adequate for us.
We took a break halfway up for lunch then continued to the top, down to 2nd and 3rd gear for much of the time. Peaking out at around 6000ft, we paused to take in the stunning all round view and try a couple of photos.
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| Nearing the top |
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| Not snow, just colour of rocks |
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| Views from the top |
Coming down the other side was a slow affair, having to keep in a low gear to prevent running away. We paused halfway down to let the brakes cool off!
Then continuing north and west, we picked out a couple of aires then chose Montbrison, a small village in wine/olive oil country with a dedicated parking spot on the edge of the village. Joining a couple of other vans already in place, we again settled down for a quiet evening.
And it started to rain!
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