Bastille Day. 2016.

July 12th.

Decided to go to Montreuil in France for Bastille day on the 14th. Picked Eevie up at noon, headed for Canterbury to do a bit of shopping, then overnight at the "Park and Ride" before the ferry tomorrow. Got some bargains in M&S food hall, love those yellow stickers. Quiet evening listening to the pitter patter of rain.

July 13th.

Left Canterbury at 0800hrs, to catch 0925hrs ferry. All went with no problem, breakfast on board in the "Brasserie", rum from the on board shop, then arrived in Calais. Drove to Montreuil, arrived 1230hrs local time. Set up.

Walked into town for a look round. Texted our friend Kerene who we were meeting here, she hadn't left Folkestone yet. (Travelling by tunnel). Had a good look round, but didn't buy anything, saving ourselves for the large "Brocante" tomorrow. Warm and sunny by now so liquid refreshments were called for.

A couple of beers later we made our way back to Eevie. Had a BBQ cooked on the "Cobb" then bed by 10.

July 14th.

Awoke to a glorious day. Quick brekkie then into town. There was a ceremony taking place by the town hall, for Bastille day.

A couple of "Sapeur Pompiers" with highly polished equipment.

Once this finished we headed for the Brocante. It covered the whole town centre, the square and all the streets. 

It was not as good as the Maisonne Lafitte one last September, we also thought it expensive. Lots to see nevertheless, and glorious weather.

Got ourselves a baguette for lunch. Hazel found some glass she liked, haggled a bit then did the deal. Spent another hour or so looking round.

Then headed back to Eevie. Bumped into Kerene on our way, arranged the time and place for our meal later, then a rest in Eevie.

 1900hrs back into town, and the restaurant. Kerene and Danny were already there. Had a lovely meal, good wine, and company. Collapsed into bed 2330hrs and straight asleep.

July 15th.

Up bright and early, packed up, left site at 0915hrs. Arrived "Cite Europe" 1015hrs. Had breakfast, bought our usual bits, then to the port for the 1520 ferry. Calm crossing then short drive to storage arriving 1630hrs. Home at 1730hrs. A nice couple of days.

Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 2.

April 28th.

Woke to a dry morning, but it had rained most of the night. Packed up and left site at 0945hrs. Crossed the border into Germany 1040hrs. Got tangled up in traffic soon after, a truck had overturned on a roundabout. The diversion was through a small town, bet the residents loved it. We got to Lake Constance and then followed the lake to "Camping Park Gohrem" which has a stellplatz adjacent. Arrived 1415hrs, by the time I'd checked us in the sun disappeared, and the rain came down.

Never mind, we thought, when it eases up we'll take a walk. 1600hrs and we took the walk, the place was massive, quite a few permanent vans too. Shower blocks were excellent, and there was a well stocked shop where we bought some bits. Then back to Eevie.

Had dinner the watched "The Marigold Hotel" DVD. Very good film. 

April 29th.

Sunny morning and on the road at 0800hrs. Heading for Berchtesgaden. Here I made one of the biggest errors of the whole trip. We took the Autobahn up to Munich and then down to Berchtesgaden. Since we returned home a scenic route has been posted on "Search for Sites" which is almost door to door of the days start and finish, maybe another time. The weather continued good and as we got nearer our destination the Alps came into view, always such fantastic scenary. Arrived at "Camping Muhlleiten" at 1330hrs. 

The owner Richard spoke very good English and is very willing to please. I booked for 4 nights as there is so much to see here. We were also given a card which gives free travel on public transport throughout Berchtesgadenland. UK take note. The weather still being lovely we took the mile walk along the river

to Konigsee. Very touristy and lots of people, nice though. Naturally a beer by the lake was in order.

The glass wasn't empty long. We checked out the prices and times of the boat trips, as this is the only way of seeing the lake. That woulld be our plan for tomorrow. Strolled back to Eevie.

Went for our showers and they were superb, 5* hotel standard at least, the loos were too.

Haad an early night as it had been a long day.

Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 1.

April 25th.

Did our day at the "Malthouse" finishing at 1700hrs. Quick shower then off to get Eevie, which we had pre loaded so was ready to roll. Left Hawkinge 1840hrs for the short drive to Canterbury Park and Ride. The Dover Road one has motorhome parking similar to a French Aire.

The "Gate Inn" is just outside, so we spent the evening there with a very good meal and wine.

April 26th.

Set off for Dover at 0610, short drive, checked in and boarded. Had breakfast on board, disembarked in Calais at 1000hrs local time. Short run to "Adinkirke", Belgium for my tobacco. Left there at 1200hrs and headed for our first overnight stop, "Camping du Lac des Vielles Forges" arriving at 1500hrs. Checked in using ACSI card and set up.

Quite generous size pitches and faciities are good. We took a stroll to the lake,

Doesn't show in the photo, but it was quite busy as it was a Sunday and there is a watersports centre just along the road. A nice bar next to the site entrance, so a couple of beers before settling in for the evening.

April 27th.

Left site 0950hrs heading for the Alsace region. Dull miserable day which spoilt the drive, as many places worth a look were shrouded in mist. Arrived at Saverne 1430hrs, looked a nice town so decided to overnight here. Found a site "Les Portes D'Alsace. Nice site, cheap with ACSI card. Covered swimming pool and good facilities. By the time we'd set up and having a cuppa the heavens opened.

As it didn't let up the walk to town was abandoned. Even the equestrian centre in the photo became deserted.

Our view by 1700hrs. Such is the joy of the open road. We had dinner watched a DVD then bed. Tomorrow we would cross into Germany.

Chertsey April 2015

April 6th.

Decided to take a 2 night trip to Chertsey C&CC site. One of our favourites. The reason this time was to see Queen Annes Dolls House. We left home 0800hrs. Stopped at Mersham Hatch to visit the "Boot Fair" then "Sainsburys" in Ashford for breakfast and provisions. Easy drive to Chertsey in lovely weather, arrived at 1200hrs. Site was quite busy but we got a nice pitch.

We then took a stroll into town for a couple of beers. Evening spent with a bit of tv and reading.

April 7th.

Caught the bus to Staines then train to Windsor. When we got there they had just completed changing the guard, so we saw the off going marching through town.

Bought a baguette each from a sandwich shop, then headed for the castle. Very long queues but I had bought our tickets online and printed them before leaving home. Of all the hundreds of times I've been to Windsor this was the first time visiting the castle. 

We made our way straight to the dolls house, both of us were not really that impressed, but at least now when customers ask we can say we have seen it. Sadly it was a strictly enforced no photo policy, so there are none here. 

 We did take a stroll round the other displays, again no photos, before looking round the gardens.

All very well kept, but, no doubt an army of gardeners looking after them. On the way to the exit passsed this non public area.

Usual trip round the shops then back to Chertsey and a couple of beers. Back to Eevie where we had dinner and some Rum  for me and wine for Hazel.

April 8th.

 

Homeward bound, left site 1045 hrs and home 1230hrs. Another trip done.