29th August Home
After about 1650 miles we are now home.
We left the site at Berck just before 7:00. After calling in to Carrefore for fuel and something for lunch, we arrived at the tunnel slightly early and caught an earlier train. The journey home was nearly four hours, but with a short break at Reading services for lunch and the loo!
28th Berck
As we needed to be within about two hours of Calais for the tunnel the next stop we chose was Berck on the coast. Like the other sites it was picked from the “search4sites” app. What we didn’t realise when we chose it was that Berck is actually a very popular seaside holiday spot with the French. I thought that it would be just a little village, but as we got nearer it was obvious that it’s quite a big holiday resort.
The camping-car site was just outside the main town, but right next to the beach. The reviews had mentioned the seals basking on the sand bank and we weren’t disappointed.
But before we could see the seals we needed to find a pitch in the very crowded motorhome park. It was just a large area of gravel, with the vans packed really close. At first we opted for the only space we could see, but then a French couple directed us to a better one that was too small for them to fit in. After we had set up in the new space another bigger and better one became available next but one along. So we moved again.
It has been really hot here and we spent the afternoon sheltering in the shade. Then in the cool of the evening we took a walk along the extensive promenade to watch the sunset. As the tide had now come in the sandbank where the seals had been was now completely covered.
27th August Courville sur Eure
This was a small aire on the edge of a little town. It was well laid out with hedges between each pitch. There were only eight pitches but when we arrived only three were taken so we had a choice.
After setting up and having lunch we went for a walk into the town. We had read reviews that mentioned some restaurants, so we considered going out for our evening meal. There didn’t seem to be anywhere suitable, but there was a take away that did pizzas, tacos etc. Later on we returned and ordered what we thought would be suitable for two. It turned out to be enough for about six! Plenty left for tomorrow as well.
26th August Sully Sur Loire
After packing up the boat and sorting out the paperwork we set off in Bertie again.
A short stop at the supermarket then on to Sully Sur Loire. The site was very crowded. We had hoped to get a pitch overlooking the river Loire, but they were all taken. We did though find a space just back from the river with some grass to sit out on. It has been very hot and we were glad of the shade. Later in the afternoon when it was a bit cooler we strolled up to the Chateau. Surprisingly it was open, so we paid our €12 and went it. We were almost the only people in there.
18th – 25th Boating
We have spent the last week on a Penichette cruising the canals of Burgundy.
16th August Vendome
A bit of a hassle getting here as our satnav tried to take us via a nonexistent road junction. But we arrived about 2 o’clock and after checking in the site operator showed us the field and said that we could go anywhere. So we chose a spot right by the river.
A walk into the town was called for in order to find a boulanger for tomorrow’s bread for lunch. Vendôme is busy commercial place with lots of shops of all sorts, but we couldn’t find a boulanger! We did find the tourist office who gave us directions and a guide book with a street map.
After a good wander around this attractive town, and locating the boulanger we headed back to Bertie.
17th August.
It has been raining overnight and is forecast to rain all day☹️. Our morning started with no electricity, but others seemed to be in the same boat and the site operator came around a reset the trips, so all was OK.
Despite the drizzly rain we set off on a trail to the château, and then around the lovely old town. Vendôme local authority decorates the town beautifully with lots of flowers. There are many waterways and many bridges, all bedecked with flowers.
15th August Bouchemarne
We arrived at the new site around 10:30. There is an automated barrier system that wouldn’t let us in. We were second in a queue of five vans all trying to get in. The system said the site was full, but it wasn’t people were leaving. After about half an hour of phone call by a French woman, and a German woman speaking both French and English, it let us in.
It’s a small site right beside the river Marne. We went for a walk along the riverside and found several restaurants. A quick look at their menu boards and we decided to return later for our evening meal. So about 6:30 we walked back to the restaurants only to be told that they only serve drinks and snacks in the evening, so back to Bertie for chicken curry!
13th August Hirel
We had a long drive, mostly by motorway with tolls, to get here. But it would have been too long by N and D roads. We tried to book online as the site filled up completely yesterday, that didn’t work but we could monitor the available spaces on the app. There were about 30 so we chanced it and got in easily at about 11:30.
It’s a big site over a hundred “camping-cars”, but it is well laid out with trees between the plots. We have much more space here that yesterday
We are spending two nights here so had time to explore the area a little. That started with a 6 miles round trip walk to find a boulanger for bread.
The beach here is really strange. Instead of sand it’s entirely made up of crushed sea shells.
12th August Etretat
We are on our way down to Burgundy where we have rented a Penichette for a week with daughter Nikki and family.
We had a terrible journey down to Kent last night. We were held up on the M4 for 1.5 hours. So we didn’t arrive at the CL until almost dark.
Up early (4:15) to catch the tunnel shuttle at 5:48, but it was delayed. We didn’t arrive in France until 7:46 a out 20 mins late.
We are now at Etretat after a journey of over5 hours. Though we did stop at a supermarket for food and to top up the diesel.
We had planned to stop here as it was coastal and about the right distance, but we didn’t realise that this is a busy tourist resort. The site we planned to use is closed. Next door is a very crowded “camping-car” Park. We reluctantly decided to stay here, even tough it’s €13 for no facilities other than a space to park☹️
This is where we are:
This is where we should be. It’s next door, but it’s closed.