Final thoughts ...

After arriving back in the UK we did get to Alan's funeral and we were not expected. Both Tina and I were so pleased that we made it even though it was a sad experience. We will miss you and that jovial and forever happy outlook. So many good times we spent in recent months. R.I.P.

Our two month holiday has shown us that we really enjoy the time we have touring around. It is unlikely that we will join rallies in the future due to our inability to do the walking and having the dogs with us being left in the van all day. We are now looking forward to 2014 were we have more adventures planned with trips to Europe and North Africa planned.

Much planning and ensuring we have the correct jabs etc for us and the dogs we can't wait. Roll on 2014.

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Thursday 16th - Dunkirk

This was a site we used which seemed to be really popular.  The dogs had a walk along the beach and this was a new experience for Woody. Squeezed in at the end of the Aire.

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Wednesday 15th - Richebourg

Our final stop before getting back to the coast was Richbourg. This was a new Aire with good facilities on the edge of town next to a Gym. Lovely setting and definitely a good overnight stop.

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Tuesday 14th - Soissons

The next stop on our journey home was Soissons where we parked by the river. Not the best of places but was OK for an overnight stop. There was some activity on the water to keep us interested.

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Monday 13th - Nogent sur Vernisson

Today we continued our journey north and made our way to Nogent sur Vernisson.

This was a small car park with access to a lovely park area. We drove through a housing estate finding the parking area at the cul-de-sac end of the road. The dogs loved the walks around the two lakes. Great overnight stop but has no facilities. Well worth remembering for the future.

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Sunday 12th - Melay

This morning we said our good byes and left the rally to make our way back to Calais.

We are going to try and get a ferry on Friday and therefore not over extend ourselves driving for long periods each day. We made our way to Melay which is a riverside parking area with some facilities. There were 2 canal boats moored up both with english plated cars. There was no attempt to converse with us.

Pleasant enough stop for the night.

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Tuesday 7th - Sunday 12th Orange Rally

We traveled to the rally this morning. Somehow we seemed to lose Mike & Jenny after we filled with fuel. Did some shopping and then went into the rally. Mike was already there however they needed to go shopping soon after we arrived. There were already most of the other MCC vans in place.

I continue to feel unwell and finally on Thursday I was persuaded to call an ambulance. Three burly guys came into the van and soon whisked me off to the hospital together with one of our party who could speak french on my behalf. I was examined and finally released with a prescription. On the way back to the site in the taxi we tried to get the prescribed medicines only to find it was another back holiday. At this point I do wish that the UK had remained Catholic because Europeans have an awful lot of bank holidays.

When we got back to site Tina was taken to an emergency chemist some 15 miles away by on of the locals who had his car available. I have to say I was extremley well treated by everyone.

When we got to Orange I was able to get my emails only to learn that a good friend had passed away. There had been no indication given to us that he had been that ill even though he had been diagnosed with cancer. Tina and I decided quite early on that if it was practical we would try and get home for the funeral.

Saturday night saw everyone attend the gala dinner with dancing etc. The meal was OK but expensive none the less. We have now decided that we are to leave on Sunday and not take part in the prolongation. The funeral had been organised for Thursday May 23rd which gave us enough time to return north to the port

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Saturday 3rd - Tuesday 7th Visan

We have been relaxing at this picturesque site for a few days now. I have not been well and have not eaten properly for a few days.... not like me!

The site is in the middle of nowhere and so has no mobile or data signals. Not able to keep in touch with the outside world.

The girls went off and bought a few bottles of wine from the owner. Certainly would recommend the Aire as it is in a lovely setting and great facilities.

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Friday 3rd - Visan

We left Uzes this mornng to find LPG in Bagnolls sur Ceze. We were then told there was gas further north but we soon found there was none. Jenny found out that there was gas at Bolene which incidentally was where she wanted to go to buy some more straps.

It was suggested that we stay on the carpark which we said that we wished to move on. Decided to go to a private aire on a vineyard at Visan. Lovely place overlooking the vineyards. Electric available at 2 euro per night.

Possibly stay until Tuesday.

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Thursday 2nd - Uzes second day

Yesterday I managed to remove Tom Tom app from the Ipad so needed to try and link up to some free wifi.

Thursday went back to tourist office and used their free WiFi to put back Sygic and downloaded TomTom western Europe. Good to have it all working again on the iPad. Sat outside on the scooter for about 90 mins. I am sure people were wondering what we I was doing. Tina did some more washing and we visited the shop and bought a few bottles of their wine.

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Wednesday 1st - Uzes

Found a private Aire through the CCI web site that sounded ideal. After some discussion we decided to make our way there.

On a arrival at the France Passion Aire we found that Mike had damaged his trailer in the first aborted gas stop in the morning. The farmer and his son gave Mike a hand in trying to make a temporary repair by levering the trailer back straight.

In the afternoon went up to the town. Shops were open even though it was a bank holiday. We also looked around the old church. The town was lovely and would like to return some day.

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Tuesday 30th - Bellegarde

Sad to leave the commercial site. Lovely hosts who made us welcome. Got stuck on and had to be towed off ygd wet grass.

Did some shopping at the local supermarket before arriving on site. Quite wet and the view could be better. Stopped raining later in the morning and the sun came out.

Looking to get some gas tomorrow so will need to move on.

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Sat, Sun & Mon 27-29 Chateaurenard

Decided to go to a commercial site after a lot of rain and my concerns over the batteries. We arrived at the ACSI site and was made welcome. Tina did some washing and organised the drying. Rained most of the day & night.

Late Sunday morning we went to a street market in the village centre. It was nearly over. Bought some shorts... let's hope that we will get the weather for me to wear them. Fixed the TV cupboard and the single seat back.

Lazy day Monday and showers still persisted. Bought Tina a scarf for her birthday.

Tried to move on Tuesday morning and the front wheels began spinning on the wet grass.

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Friday 26th -Lacoste & Gordes

We decided to take lunch at Lacoste with a view to staying the night however we were parked under trees and not getting much solar power. We decided to move on and eventually spent the night at Gordes

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Thursday 25th

Decided that we would make for Greasque for an overnight stop. We shopped at Auchan on the way and did a big shop.

When we arrived at Aire I serviced the van and then looked for somewhere to park. There was a small circus there and therefore no room. Left in search of somewhere else. Found a carpark but not really suitable. Then made our way to Vauvenargues. It is a small carpark next to a cemetery. Very quiet. Only one here.

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Wednesday 24th

We stayed at the beach site and had a very lazy day. Tina started to read her book again and got into it. I updated the New Forest DA website with this months Picket Post by using the iPad connected to the mac with a USB cable.

Took the dogs over to the beach in the afternoon. Woody was so funny in the water. He seemed to love it.

Watched speedway in the evening. Plan to move on tomorrow.

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Tuesday 23rd

Moved down to the beach this morning just down the road form the Aire last night. Serviced the van.

The view across the water is fantastic. Flamingos and birds are everywhere. Very hot all day. Finished my book on the kindle. Put in approximately 100 amps during the day. Received last Picket Post from Ray for publishing on the website.

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Monday 22nd

Today we left to go to an aire in Avignon. We stopped at LeClerc on the way and did some shopping and got a recharge for the IPad Internet.

The first Aire was full and we would have been to big. Went and found the alternative which was a park and ride car park. After some lunch we decided to move on to Ales.

The Aire at Ales was full so we decided to try the third of the day. We drove down to Salin De Giraud in the Carmague. The site is a car park on some waste ground. There are 16 vans here for the night.

We had temperatures of 28 deg today and was able to put back 50 amps back into the batteries.

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Saturday 20th

Left Aigueze this morning. Very windy during the night. Overcast and some showers.

We made our way towards Bagnols sur Ceze where I wanted to pick up the WIFI at McDonald's. Went shopping at Carrefour and then found no parking available at McDonald's. Decided to go down the road to a small village. Arrived Laudin L'Ardoise.

Listened to Bournemouth match and Radio Solent on IPad. Watched Brentford draw on Sky which gave promotion to our team to the championship. Excellent.

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Friday 19th

Left Vallons Pont D'Arc to travel down the Gorge. Paid €6 to stay overnight in big carpark with many others.

The Gorge was spectacular. Well worth making an effort to see it.

Found a parking site on CCI on a vineyard. Lovely for the dogs. Became very windy and some showers. There were a number of other vans there.Would use it again.

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Thursday 18th

Left Arlebosc this morning. Small village site up in the mountains. Jenny decided that they wanted to stay on for an extra day.

The atmosphere was not good. Mike told us that they were going on some France passion site yet Jenny denied it.

Jenny showed emotion when we left. He will call us in a few days.

We had decided that we wanted to see the gorge and they had seen it some four years before.

Very little to see and do in village although it was pleasant.

Made our way to St Alban Auriolles in readiness to go and find the gorge. Big carpark behind a village hall where they had an afternoon dance. We had some travelers in caravans with us. Not happy so we left and made our way to Vallons Pont D'Arc to stay overnight. Weather started to change.

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Wednesday 17th

Travelled up the mountains in the Ardeche area. Beautiful scenery along the river and up the mountain roads.

Arrived Arlebosc to find Jenny well established.Walked down into the village in the evening. Old houses and quaint.

Agreed with Jenny that we didn't want to stay an extra night but would meet up later in the trip. Left in the morning on our own.

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Tuesday 16th

Left Cremary this morning after having agreed to make our own way to the next site at St Andre sur Vieux Jonc (page 539 #30). Lovelly site overlooking the football fields. Jenny made a point of saying they had been there for two hours but mentioned they did not stop for lunch.

Good walking for the dogs. Did a little washing.

Agreed that we would travel to Arlebosc separately.

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Sunday 14th & Monday 15th

Glorious hot day. The daffodils festival was on in the afternoon. Rode our scooter down and went and found our seats. It was very hot waiting for the parade.

Started on time at 14:30. There were around 100 floats and bands in the parade. Well worth seeing. Jenny kept standing in front of me when I was trying to take photos. Very annoying.

Had lovely day. We decided that we would go to a commercial site to shower, wash clothes and charge batteries. They decided to go on earlier than us and meet us there. We were ready before the agreed time of 10am but they left 45mins before us. Mike said that I had been winding her up.

They called us later but we missed them on route. We arrived before them.

As usual Jenny got in first and took the washing machine. Tina was not happy. Got a beard trim and haircut.

Mike got stuck and once again it was anyone's fault except Jenny.

Decided that we would make our own way to next stop. Jenny suggested a site and I reminded her that we had already agreed our itinerary at Metz.

They left around 9 a.m. Cost €15 for the night. Very nice Dutch couple owned the site at Cremary (ACSI #1569)

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Saturday 13th

Found Mike at Super U and did a ltlle more shopping. Stayed and had a meal. Put some fuel in the scooter.

Bought a recharge for the iPad. Went back fir some lunch.

Later in the afternoon went down to a bar and listened to the match. Put some power back into tge batteries.  Drove around the lake.

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Thursday 11th & Friday 12th

What a horrible day. It rained heavily all day long. Not able to get out. Starting to worry about battery power left if we don't get some sunshine. Jenny has decided that we should go to a commercial site on Morning. We can use the showers and do some washing.

The storm last night was very bad. The winds were rocking the van. We taught Jenny & Mike contract whist. After some discussion Jenny finally got the hang of it.

This morning we are over 100 amps down but the rain has stopped and the sun is trying to come out.

I wil need to empty the toilet today and probably get some shopping.

We went to Leader Price for sone shopping (Fri). Mike called and we met him. Bought an Orange sim card for the iPad.€8

Bought our tickets for Sunday at the tourist information office.

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Wednesday 10th

We travelled to Gerardmer where the flower festival takes place at the weekend.  I persuaded Jenny that it would be best to get there early because we were unsure of getting a place to park. When we arrived the small aire at the back of Lidl was full and the large Aire was being used by the travelling fair. We finally found the Tourism Office and they directed us to the Ski centre about 2km out of town.

Great big area to park and had the choice of where to go. Not sure how we made the decision.  There are no facilities. The Borne is in town where we can get water etc.

Later Mike and I got the scooters off and rode to the suoermarket. We also bought tickets for the show on Sunday. Light drizzle showers so we got a little wet.

In the evening we all watched a film in our van running off my laptop connected to the tv.

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Tuesday 9th

At Richardmenil in a small secluded site. Free camping and services including electrics.

Sat planning the rest of our trip after we leave Gerardmer at the weekend. Decided that we will be better to arrive tomorrow as the town might be busy for the flower festival.

Raining on the wat here and early afternoon but the sun has now come out and it shoukd be a lovely end to the day.

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Monday 8th

Woke this morning to find the carpark full. It would be very difficult to get out if we needed to.

Waiting for Mike to arrive this afternoon.

No plans so far to do anything.  Will need to shop tomorrow.

Off to Richardmenil tomorrow

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Sunday 7th

Serviced the van this morning. Both had a lovely hot shower which was part of the 8 euro price.

Arrived Metz ready to meet Mike & Jenny on Monday.  Car park was quite full but tucked in and got a satellite signal after a lot of manoeuvres. Still couldn't get ITV1.

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Saturday 6th

Arrived Stenay. Did some shopping on the way. Bought some LPG in the supermarket.

The site at Stenay was by the river and had lovely views. Three was free WiFi provided by the tourism office. Listened to the match commentary. Bournemouth won and stayed second.

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Thursday 4th

Left site at around 11am
Travelling to Charleville-Mezieres. Lovely park setting. Walked into town. Found another Orange shop to try and get tethering fixed. Found out it is not possible.
Chilling when we get back to van.
Probably stay another night.

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Wednesday 3rd

Said goodbye to Mike and Jenny. Had already decided that we would spend the night at Marcoing (Northern #72).

On way we stopped at auchan in Lille. Got the Orange sim card cut down to a micro size. Bought a few bits of shopping.

Arrived at Aire mid afternoon. Quiet site but with no dog walks. Free electric during the night. Charged up batteries.

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Tuesday 2nd

Mileage at start 11065

Met Jenny and Mike at Fleet services at 09:30. Stopped at Tesco in Ashford for some fuel and some shopping.

Arrived Dover at around 13:00. On board ferry we had Fish and chips for lunch with a pudding. Lovely. Started to discuss our itinerary and learnt that they were gong to their daughters for longer. Now leaving on Monday 8th so we need to decide where we are going.

Travelled to Hondschoote. Nice site by a windmill and sports stadium. Worth using again I think but only if we're travelling east. Nowhere really to walk dogs.

Decided that we would meet at Metz on Monday 8th. In the meantime we will take our time to arrive maybe on Sunday.

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