Quick Christmas Shopping Trip. December 2015.

December 7th.

Arrived at our storage 0630hrs. First hiccup, fob would not open the gate. Managed to get hold of the owner who came straight up. Finall got in and collected Eevie. Left at 0750hrs, we had booked the 0825 sailing from Dover. Luckily we went straight through the port and checked in at 0810. Just made the ferry last on. Had breakfast, then met up with some friends who were on the same crossing. From Calais we drove to Adinkerke for tobacco.

Then we headed cross country, avoiding the Autoroute to Montreuil-sur-Mer. Arrived at Fontaine Les Clercs 1410hrs. The owner popped his head out of the top right window, told us to pitch up and we'd sort it later.

This we duly did, taking the first pitch on the left, which we had used before.

As can be seen the site is terraced, at the top is a foot tunnel through the town ramparts, we took that route into town. Strolled around but didn't buy anything, not even a beer. It was very quiet, cold and damp. Back to Eevle, dinner and some drink before bed.

December 8th.

Awoke to a miserable cold wet day. After our morning cuppa and toast, drove into Le Touquet for our bits. Arrived, to find parking was free, so a nice bonus. Unloaded our shopping trolley and brollies then walked into the centre. Found the crockery shop we were looking for, but alas they no longer stocked the brand we wanted. (We have some but family wanted the same.) Nothing even similar so that was a failure. Then to a little shop which does wonderful fish pate, which we really enjoy.

As you can see, a huge selection. We bought what we wanted then strolled the other shops in the centre. Bought a few bits for Christmas, then to a Restaurant for Moules Marinere,

Excellent in here can highly recommend. Then off we trudged back to Eevie, and the site. Relaxing and warming up before head down.

December 9th.

Woke to a crisp morning with ice outside. Left 1015hrs and headed for Cite Europe. Did our usual shop, nice bits we can't get at home, bite to eat then ferry. Arrived Dover 1540hrs and Hawkinge 1610. The trip had been successful for our needs, but not for family. C'est la vie.

France Tour. September 2015. Final Part.

September 20th.

Awoke to a gloriously sunny day, breakfast and then off to the Brocante at 0900hrs. We were amazed, never seen such a big one, every road in the centre closed and full of stalls and people.

We very soon spotted a little dolls house, working lights and animation, like a large musical box.

After a bit of haggling we got it for a good price, perfect for Hazels little business Teeny Weeny World. So good in fact it was sold within a week after getting home. At this point we decided to take it back to Eevie. Collected a wheeled trolley and then back to the fray.

We wandered all over and not sure even now if we covered it all.

Hazel found a lovely Olive wood bowl.

Which we use for fruit at home, cost us the princely sum of 6 euros. We were still in the fray at lunchtime so adjourned to a cafe for food and a drink. We ate inside and watched their food stall outside.

They were working flat out, and I the kitchen was struggling to keep up the supply of frites. When we'd finished we went back into the fray.

 After about another hour we'd had enough and went back to Eevie for a rest. It had been a long (5 hours) day for a boot fair, but productive. A quiet evening and early night.

September 21st.

A dull but dry morning. We hit the road 0900hrs on the last leg to Calais. Heavy traffic for the first part, until we were well clear of Paris. Then pleasant and quiet. Decided to head for "Camping St Louis" near Ardres, about 14 miles from Calais. A nice site run by 2 young girls, a mix of touring and static but very friendly. Arrived at 1400hrs. Sadly the site was closing for the winter the following week and the bar and food were already closed. Never mind we just chilled out, played crib bit of tv and generally relaxed.

September 22nd.

A day of going nowhere today, sorting things out, tidying up etc. Ferry and home tomorrow. The weather was a mix of heavy showers and warm sunshine. I decided to make use of the rain and give Eevie a rinse.

Didn't take long to sort everything and the rest of the day was spent loafing.

September 23rd.

Left site 1030hrs. Into Cite Europe for our last bits then caught the 1325hrs P&O to Dover. Arrived back at storage 1520hrs. It had been a good trip, weather could have been better but all in all not too bad.

 This is a rough outline of the route we took.

Disastrous Trip. June 2015.

June 27th.

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.