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The Verdict

Once again we’ve had a fantastic time and have a lot of memories. The biggest benefit of course, and the main reason for going away, was the weather which, apart from the odd occasion, was warm (hot?) and dry.

We’ve renewed a lot a friendships, as well as making many new ones, not least that with Colin and Tina Rice, our travelling companions for over half of the holiday, which we think made the break for us. Bertie performed impeccably, although he is beginning to need some attention. But after 6891 miles, and with the odometer now over 60,000, it’s not unexpected. But there’s nothing serious.

We haven’t kept a record this year of our expenses, but our feeling is that it actually cost us less than before, probably helped by the extraordinarily good euro exchange rate. We’ve not stinted on our spending, eating out more often being a little extravagance.

Towards the end, though, we were beginning to be ready to come home, and if we hadn’t had the various visits already planned perhaps we would have. The fact that Easter was late this year contributed of course, but we may look a little carefully next time – and there’ll certainly be a next time!

Monday 20 April 2015

Well, that’s it – last day and we’re on our way home. After goodbyes and making arrangements for next time, we headed up the road for lunch with Mum for a couple of hours. Then the long slog back up the A1, making good time and we were home just after 7.00pm.

We’ll leave most of the unpacking until tomorrow, then put Bertie back into storage until we’ve got time to deal properly with the running repairs, cleaning etc. Being away for almost 4 months (112 nights) means there’s a bit to do, including a pile of post over 3 feet high!

But at least it’s still sunny!

P.S. Sorry not many photos towards the end. We've covered this ground a number of times before so haven't bothered. Don't forget, you can see all our photies by following the link alongside here >>>.

Thursday/Sunday 16/19 April 2015

Peterborough Motorhome Show

Billed as the season opener, we’ve been here the last few years but our main reason is to join up with the Funsters for the first big rally of the year. With over 150 Funster units expected, the organisers allocated us our own area and provided a marquee too. Volunteers directed everybody to pitches, satisfying the legal requirements; we noted that the space they left between us and Colin would have been filled by two French vans elsewhere!

Although it was only half an hour on the road, with a quick refuel stop, it was at least another 45mins whilst we drove completely round the outside of the showground, got our tickets (which we’d had sent to the gate) then drove again completely round the site to our pitch, which was actually only 50 yards from the gate! Bureaucracy!

Never mind, old friends greeted, new friends made and we settled down to the show. We won’t get into much detail; suffice it to say we spent quite a lot of time (not to mention money!) going round the show over the few days, trying to fill out a shopping list we’d developed. We also helped out on the MotorhomeFun stall, explaining what we’re all about and encouraging people to join up. Oh yes, we got the satellite dish fixed too.

There is featured (paid) entertainment laid on by the organisers, but Jim Davison is not really our cup of tea and we’re not inclined to pay to see him. However there are other free shows put on in the evenings and we chose to go to the last, on Sunday night, featuring a Frankie Vallee tribute group, who were very good then the original Union Gap. We did wonder who the OAPs on stage were but in fact they were excellent and nicely rounded out the show for us all.

Once again an enjoyable weekend which nicely brought our trip to a close.

Tuesday/Wednesday 14/15 April 2015

Up early because we’ve got a 0950 booking on the Chunnel, taking us back to the UK. Nice and sunny again, little to do so we got away promptly but then had to hang around for our booked train; obviously no room on the earlier one we were actually in time for. Never mind.

Usual smooth efficient crossing and emerged to a continuance of the nice weather, which is a bit unusual for us. We’re travelling up to St Neots for a couple of days, to meet Colin & Tina then go on to the Peterborough show, so first call was at Tesco in Ashford. It’s so nice to be able to fully understand the labels…..

Then onto the mad house that is the British motorway system, but at least there were no holdups although they haven’t got the Dartford crossing sorted yet. We’ve booked into the Caravan & Camping Club site at St Neots so using the coordinates Colin gave us we sallied forth – only to be a little surprised when TomTom directed us up the M11; would have thought the A1 was better. But we decided something was definitely not right when we started heading towards Newmarket so a quick stop and check revealed the obvious of course – input the cords wrong. Got that sorted, then the site wasn’t there when we got to our “destination” – it was 100 yards away, but unfortunately there was a wood and a river in the way….. A slight backtrack and “let’s follow that caravan” got us there finally.

Checked in, got parked up on a nice sunny pitch with an empty one alongside (for Colin & Tina) and had a late lunch. The rest of the day was a sort-out, clean-up and service Bertie before relaxing in the hot sunshine. Yes, in the UK! We’d sent it on ahead of us.

Wednesday saw us up surprisingly early, for no apparent reason, so we just bumbled about. At lunchtime the site started filling up, mostly with people doing the same as us (getting in place for the Peterborough show), and we had to chase a couple off the adjacent pitch before Colin & Tina turned up early afternoon. After lots of chatting we got tea from the visiting fish and chip van, then back to the chatting! We don’t need an early start tomorrow because it’s only half an hour to Peterborough.

Monday 13 April 2015

The site quietened down quite a lot yesterday afternoon and today saw many more leaving/left. Once sorted and cleared up we joined them, choosing not to wait in the queue of 8/9 vans waiting to use the service point – there’s plenty more.

Our plan today to simply head north to a suitable jumping off point ready for the Channel Tunnel tomorrow morning so we joined our old friend, the D940, for a quiet run up the coast. With the gauge clammering for attention, we realised that we wouldn't make Auchan in Calais so chose the first supermarket fuel station we came to to top off.

With now no need for any more shopping etc., we decided to stop at Wissant, a quiet free aire just 20mins from the Chunnel where we’d stopped on the way down. We had noticed a lot of motorhomes today, many of them Belgian, and arriving at Wissant at lunchtime were surprised to find it almost full. However we found a spot and had lunch before starting a walk into the town, which we had been told was very nice. However we hadn't reckoned with a cold wind and did not get very far before retreating to the warmth of Bertie.

So we stayed at “home” for the rest of the day, relaxing and finishing off logs and blogs ready for our crossing tomorrow.

And so endeth the France part of our trip.

Sunday 12 April 2015

A lovely, if cold, start to the day a bit earlier than usual as we’d learned yesterday that the narrow gauge steam train that travels round the Baie de Somme had a 11.00 departure and we fancied a trip to St Valery. So after our, now traditional, bacon and eggs we walked round in plenty of time. The usual, very well run, enthusiasts railway was enjoyable and the hour trip enabled us to view the bay properly, although you could actually see almost as much from the road of course. But it was fun.

St Valery sur Somme has had quite a history as a port, including being the last jump-off for William the Conqueror on his way to Hastings in 1066, although he was only here because his fleet actually went aground……..! It is now very much an up-market seaside holiday town with posh shops, hotels and dozens of restaurants. The Sunday morning market was on when we arrived but was nothing special so after a stroll round we stopped off for delicious crepes and coffee before ambling around to the old town then back along the quay to the train stop – you couldn't call it a station.

Another pleasant trip on a now much more full train – a couple of coach trips had joined – before a stroll back to the van for a cuppa and relax. After only a few minutes the couple from a British van alongside us came to call looking for information, having seen our Fun stickers, and the afternoon was spent chatting with them at quite some length.

Then after a late tea, we wandered over to our Morocco friends, Ken and Lynda (not forgetting Jess!), for drinks and a catch-up. Altogether an extremely enjoyable day to round off the French part of our tour. Up to Calais tomorrow, ready for an early crossing on Tuesday.