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.

Abbey Wood. June 2015.

June 14th.

Weather was good, so decided on a couple of days visiting London. Based at Abbey Wood CC site for 3 nights. Left at 1000hrs arrived on site 1200hrs. Chose our pitch and met our neighbour.

 

This site is in the middle of a busy urban area, yet is a haven of nature. Well known is the habit of the foxes to steal your shoes if left outside. We walked to the station and checked times and prices for tomorrow. Quiet evening of beer, food and tv in Eevie.

June 15th. 

Another lovely day. Got ourselves into gear and caught the 1007hrs train. We got off at Westcombe Park and walked to the river. We had decided to take a trip on the Emirates Cable Car across to Excel. We'd seen it many times so had to give it a go. Eventually got to the river and then the cable station. 

The fare was £4 sinlgle each, which was fine by us. Got our tickets and off we went.

It was very smooth apart from a gentle sway in the breeze. About half way across you discover you're on the flight path to London City Airport, the planes pass quite close.

Very soon you are descending to Excel.

From there we took the Docklands Light Railway to Tower Hill. Walked from there to Tower Pier and caught the Catamaran to Embankmet. Very short trip, about 10 minutes I think. Strange but Hazel actually felt sea sick, so we wont be doing that again. Then got the Underground to Oxford Street, into the "Spaghetti House" where we had excellent pizzas for lunch. Strolled around the West End for a couple of hours, then back to Abbey Wood for the evening.

June 16th.

Another lovey day. Caught the same time train but stayed on until London Bridge, then Underground to Hyde Park Corner. Walked from there through the Rose Garden to the Serpentine. Took a break and had a cup of coffee by the lake.

We then walked along southern side, stopped for a while and cooled our feet in the Princess Diana memorial.

Hadn't seen it before and it's very nice. It was to see the children were allowed to paddle in it. We left the park by the Albert Memorial and walked to the Science Museum for a look round. There is plenty there to see,

it highlights our age when we realise we saw these in use. They have an Apollo Capsule,

amazing to think 3 men lived in this for a journey to the moon and back. From there we caught the Underground to Waterloo, then walked along the South Bank to London Bridge. Train back to Abbey Wood and quiet evening in Eevie.

June 17th.

Up and away, left site 1000hrs and home 1200hrs. It had been a nice couple of days.

 

Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 8.

May 10th.

Woke to a lovely day. Packed up and drove the short distance to the Citadel. 8 euros well spent.

It was a guided tour givng the history of the place during the First World War. Many tableaus depicting events that took place.

We found it fascinating and it was made very interesting. The commentary was in language of choice. I took this photo when we left.

From there we drove to the 

Douaumont Ossuary
War Memorial





This contains the skeletal remains of approximately 125,000 soldiers of all nationalities cleared from the Verdun battlefield. A sad place indeed.
  After leaving here driving through the woods we spied this fox sharing a families picnic in one of the picnic areas.





From there we headed back north, overnighting at our first stopover at Camping de Lac des Vielles Forges. Had a lovely plate of chips with our beer.





Then a quiet evening in Eevie.


May 11th.


Left site at 0845 heading for Adinkirke for my tobacco. Had some awful roads in Belgium, surfaces very bad. Got my baccy then drove to Condette. Camping du Chateau, one of our favourite sites in the area. Arrived 1500hrs, had a lovely barbecue in the evening sunshine.


May 12th.


Another nice day, our plan was to do nothing but relax before going home tomorrow. I did mend a puncture on Hazels bike.





Otherwise we did as planned, nothing.


May 13th.


Left site 0930hrs did our usual shop in Cite Europe, then ferry. Home at 1430hrs, the end of another tour.


A rough outline of the route.

Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 7.

May 8th.

Woken early by the noise of a helicopter nearby. When we looked it was spraying the vines on the steep valley sides of the river. Another lovely day, so set off to continue following the river. Stopped for a coffe and sandwich in Olzig.

A brand new bench that was just perfect for lazing. Across the river they were building a viaduct,

I guess for the autoroute. Set off after about half an hour, saw signs for a flea market in Zieningen, checked our maps and discovered it was only a few miles. Stopped to see what we could find.

We did well, got quite a few bits for our small business "Teeny Weeny World" backhome. Then on we went. Made a brief stop at Bernkastel for a drink and look round then headed on. Arrived at Tritenmeim and decided to stop the night as it was so nice.

Took a walk round, very small and not a lot happening so naturally paid the cafe a visit,

where we enjoyed a couple of beers. Back to Eevie where we spent a nice quiet evening.

May 9th.

Woke to a dull morning. Packed up to leave when panic set in, we couldn't find the keys. After 45 minutes Hazel found them behind the drivers seat. No idea why or how, but, they now have a set place, lesson learnt. Continued following the Mosel through Trier into Luxemburg, then on into "Teeny Weeny World"France. Decided then that the beauty of the Mosel is definately between Trier and Koblenz. The other part we found to be bland and industrialized. Decided to overnight in Verdun.

Set up and walked into town. It is best by the river with restaurants and cafes in abundance. We chose Vivians Bar, in London Street, well you would wouldn't you?

Then back to Eevie. Hazel made a chicken curry, which in her words was sh*t, I had to agree.

Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 6.

May 6th.

Left site at 0915, in nice weather. Headed for Rudeheim. A mix of autobahn and other roads. On approaching the bridge over the Rhine, found roadworks and a 6' 6" width restriction, no go for us. We finished up in a town that had Umwhelt Zones everywhere, after loads of dead ends we did extricate ourselves. Then retraced our route for 20 miles, saw sign with Rudeheim written on it, turned off and followed the road down to the river, lo and behold there was a ferry.

It cost 8 euros, but would have saved 40+miles. We knew which route we would use tomorow. Got a nice pitch near the entrance.

Walked along the river into town. We had been before on a river cruise, so knew our way around. This is worth a visit.

There is a chair lift from town, and spectacular views when you're up there. We had done it on our previous visit so opted for food instead. Picked a nice restaurant,

had a very nice meal. To our amazement the nun in the picture, when finshed, as she left she put the sugar, salt and pepper into her handbag. We strolled around some more and then returned to Eevie. Back on site went for a shower. The block was amongst the best we'd ever seen.

The baby bath had to be seen to be believed.

How amazing is that?

May 7th. 

Left at 0915hrs, headed straight for the ferry, crossed then took the autoroute to the Mosel. Arrived at the site in Cochem at noon.

Set up then walked along the river into town. 

We had been here before and headed straight for lunch at a restaurant we like.

Naturally had a beer while studying the menu. Then both plumped for a salad,

which turned out to be delicious. Strolled around for an hour or so,

before returning to Eevie for the evening. 

Goodbye Mo.

Over the years, since 2007 in fact I have shared comments, media etc with Mo.

http://balmaha.blog.co.uk

All on the old blog. Have just received the tragic news that he has passed away, succumbed to cancer. His blog and photos were great reading to canal enthusiasts in the UK. 

This is my tribute to him.

RIP Mo, you will be missed.

Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 5.

May 4th.

A sunny warm day, hooray. Left at 0915. It was a problen free but not really pleasant journey, mostly on autoroutes. We had no definate destination in mind, just somewhere near the French border, so we could follow the Rhine to Koblenz. Eventuall found a lovely little site in Schwardzwaldhorn. Set up in the sunshine.

We sat and had coffee and cake when an univited guest joined us.

Hazel named her Heidi. She was obviously a resident and had no nervousness around us. In fact, she hopped onto my lap and stole half my cake. The site was on a hillside and terraced, giving lovely views across the valley.

Then we settled down for the evening and had a barbecue.

It was delicious and of course washed down with some beer. 

May 5th.

Awoke to another sunny day. While packing away discovered Eevie and everything outside coated in a ver fine sawdust. There's a saw mill in the village which had to be the source. It wasn't difficult to clean, but for the residents it's got be very unhealthy, it's so fine they must be breathing it in.

  Left site 1000hrs heading north. A lot of Autoroutes again. Crossed the Rhine a couple of times before deciding to stop at Bad Dirkheim. Found a site "Camping Knaus". Checked in at 1400hrs and were told we couldn't enter until 1500hrs. Made use of the service point to dump the grey waste and top up with water. 1500hrs entered and set up.

It was a very large site but fairly quiet at that time. A nice lake for those that like a bit of fishing.

Neither of us fish, so we took a walk to Aldis for some more provisions. On our way back. next to the site is a single runway airfield. No planes any where to be seen or heard but a nice bar. Would have been rude to ignore it, so we didn't.

It had a lovely decked terrace, allthough the wind had picked up and the rattling of flag halyards was irritating.

As can be seen we were sheltered from the wind so it was still quite hot. Later back in Eevie we had a first attempt at cottage pie, cooked in the Remoska. An outstanding success.

Cleared up and settled down for the night.