Picked Eevie up and drove to Hazels brother Julians house in Ashford. He was having a barbecue and we were off to France next day, so we could sleep over and go straight to the ferry in the morning. Had a nice evening and turned in about midnight.
June 28th.
Left Julians at 1000hrs, we'd booked the 1110hrs ferry. After M20 onto A20 we passed through the Roundhill Tunnels on approaching the 40mph limit there was a huge bang, we veered towards the central reservation, I probably over corrected and we spun 180 degrees, finished in the kerb facing the wrong way. I thought we were going over but Eevie righted herself. When my heart rate reduced I took stock. We had had a blow out. The over head lockers on the passenger side had shed they're contents. All our crockery is in them, but only 1 mug was broken, a fine advert for correlle dinner ware. A car had stopped and protected us using his hazard lights. There was lay by by him so I drove carefully into it, thanked him and he left. Called Brittania Rescue, they said Ashford recovery would be there in the hour. Checking around the vehicle the locker door for the leisure battery was broken adrift, the battery had obviously struck it from inside. Also some minor damage to the wooden floor around the wheel, I guess by the tyre. The recovery truck arrived and removed the wheel,
which was damaged beyond use. Here is the remains of the tyre.
We were 2 very lucky people to have got away unharmed. Being Sunday I was unable to source a tyre locally so we decided to continue to France and get them there tomorrow. Caught the 1255hrs ferry arriving in Calais 1530hrs French time. I didn't want to venture far until I'd sourced tyres, I wanted to replace them all as I discovered all were 9 years old, and we needed a wheel for a spare. Camping Bien Assise is ony 8 miles so we went there and booked in for 1 night. We had burger and chips in the bar before getting an early night. We were both drained by the days events.
June 29th.
Left site 1020hrs to search for tyres, Speedy in Calais couldn't do it. I resorted to the Internet and a Facebook Group called Motorhome Adventures. In no tIme someone suggested Feu Vert, I looked at there website and found a branch in Cite Europe. They didn't have any in stock but would have them tomorrow afer 1500hrs, settled for that and paid a deposit. I still didn't want to travel far so we tried Camping St Lois near Ardres, recommended by a friend. Booked for 2 nights. Its a lovely site run by 2 young girls, nice bar and food too. Cycled into Ardres for a look round before settling down for the evening. Also learnt Calais Port was shut by a strike.
June 30th.
Calais was still shut and many people on site were stranded. The couple on the next pitch with a caravan had given up and booked one way on Eurotunnel, £307!!!! Thankfully we had time. Went to Cite Europe, did some shopping then to Feu Vert. Told they wouldn't have the tyres until Friday, this due to the roads in and around Calais log jammed with trucks due to the strike. Got my deposit back and we returned to the site, both extremely pissed off.
July 1st.
Awoke to find the strike was still on and the approach roads to port and tunnel were blocked by burning tyres. With no sign of an end to the strike we had no choice but to try the tunnel. Managed to get a booking for 1730hrs, £206 single!!!!! Left the site and had lunch in Cite Europe. Leaving there for the tunnel, which is the other side of the fence, we had to drive 14 miles along the motorway in order to get back to the tunnel access road. All other options closed by trucks and police. Finally through check in and completely turned over by the UK Border Force, every locker checked, took 45 minutes.
We eventually caught our shuttle which was 45 minutes late. Finally home at 1830hrs.
A trip from hell better forgotten. Lesson, check the age of your tyres.
July 1st.
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