WOW! Just come back from 2 weeks in Fouras in the Charente-Maritime and a fabulous holiday too: OH's longest time under canvas and he's now a complete convert (and we did have some rain). After a few 'issues' before we went: mislaid passports, confusion over site booking, mislaid euros, and uncomfortable journey thinking OH had forgotten to pack central roof poles...we had a great time, and it was a pleasant site with hedged pitches in sun and shade, lots of showers and loos (kept pretty clean considering site was full) and right by the sea, which with sea views made even washing up less of a chore. No other Cabanons on site - mostly polyester domes or caravans. Went cycling (a dream as quite flat), ate plum tart, cheap wine, and sweet melons. All going swimmingly until the journey home and 100 miles south of Calais... Be warned: don't overfill your tank however tempting the diesel price and think you have a fuel leak... carry your breakdown cover in the car and not in the boot (my mistake) and keep your mobile fully charged. After a lengthy negotiation and my fractured French we were trailered off the autoroute and 'allowed' to continue on the 'departmentiale' roads...a challenge at night when you don't know where you are and the reading light rather dim (always keep a camping lantern at hand!). We finally caught the ferry 5.50 hours later than planned. On a plus point, the non-autoroute between Abbeville and Calais goes through some pretty towns and by the coast. Nice if you have the time but, at 1 a.m. after a 12 hour journey, not what we ordered. Still, it hasn't dampened our enthusiasm, but be careful before mentioning a problem at an autoroute service station. They call the police who call the 'depannage' and they won't let you go until you're off the road - and all for £160 lighter. (We did have breakdown cover but the company had made an error on the premium... which we're in the process of resolving.) C'est la vie
Post last edited on 04/08/2009 16:17:34
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We really enjoyed our adventure and I'm planning the next one now, even if just in my head. But we need a roofbox as even with only two of us and an estate, the car was FULL. I took too many blankets, too much food, too many pans, and too many clothes. Vive le camping!
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Ah Spudz good question: to make room in the car so we can see out the back window and feel a bit safer not to stuff more in. I would certainly take less another time (I've been to France in an Escort with a frame tent and 4 people with no trailer or roofbox so know it can be done)but OH was surprised that we used pretty much all we took. That's the difference of 20 years - I need a few more 'luxuries' now than I did in my 20s.
I had to laugh when the customs officer asked if it were 'just the two of you travelling?'....er, yes, where do you think we could have stashed any more?
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Quote: Originally posted by bridgeywidge on 04/8/2009
WOW! Just come back from 2 weeks in Fouras in the Charente-Maritime and a fabulous holiday too: OH's longest time under canvas and he's now a complete convert (and we did have some rain). After a few 'issues' before we went: mislaid passports, confusion over site booking, mislaid euros, and uncomfortable journey thinking OH had forgotten to pack central roof poles...we had a great time, and it was a pleasant site with hedged pitches in sun and shade, lots of showers and loos (kept pretty clean considering site was full) and right by the sea, which with sea views made even washing up less of a chore. No other Cabanons on site - mostly polyester domes or caravans. Went cycling (a dream as quite flat), ate plum tart, cheap wine, and sweet melons. All going swimmingly until the journey home and 100 miles south of Calais... Be warned: don't overfill your tank however tempting the diesel price and think you have a fuel leak... carry your breakdown cover in the car and not in the boot (my mistake) and keep your mobile fully charged. After a lengthy negotiation and my fractured French we were trailered off the autoroute and 'allowed' to continue on the 'departmentiale' roads...a challenge at night when you don't know where you are and the reading light rather dim (always keep a camping lantern at hand!). We finally caught the ferry 5.50 hours later than planned. On a plus point, the non-autoroute between Abbeville and Calais goes through some pretty towns and by the coast. Nice if you have the time but, at 1 a.m. after a 12 hour journey, not what we ordered. Still, it hasn't dampened our enthusiasm, but be careful before mentioning a problem at an autoroute service station. They call the police who call the 'depannage' and they won't let you go until you're off the road - and all for £160 lighter. (We did have breakdown cover but the company had made an error on the premium... which we're in the process of resolving.) C'est la vie
Ah, another good question and apologies for confusing you.
We THINK OH just overfilled the tank and the overflow part belched fuel cos of the load. But OH backed into the kerb as he'd gone down the wrong part of the station and then struggled to do 180 degree turn back into the right bay, so he was convinced he'd fractured the fuel pipe and was worried the car would explode with the hot engine and lots of fuel... After being back in the UK for 10 days and no puddles on the drive, we do think it was just overfilling that caused the problem but are taking it to a mechanic to double-check. I was just trying to point out that if you have a 'minor' problem don't bring attention to it at the paystation, or they'll call the 'depannage' and haul you off the motorway and as they call the gendarmes to do this, you can't really ignore them. Does this de-confuse you both, perhaps? Also, hone up on your 'emergency' French before you go - I wish I'd refreshed mine a bit more
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: A brilliant learning curve - L plates off
