Blogs from Calais, Nord-Pas de Calais, France, Europe
April 2nd 2012
Monday 2nd April 2012 Cold overnight but awoke to clear blue skies. Drove out to Cap Blanc Nez - spectacular views across the channel to Dover!! Large memorial erected in 1922 for the “Dover Sailors” who patrolled the channel during the First World War to help keep supplies etc. Going. Over 2000 men both French and British were lost . The Germans blew up the monument in the Second World War but it was rebuilt in the 1960’s. Onto Wissart with its huge beach (Barney enjoyed the run) lunch on the promenade – not the best we have had! And then onto Boulogne – parked by the fish market – bought 2 “live” plaice for our supper, couldn’t be more fresh and at the great expense of 2 euro!! Walked to the old upper fortified town ... read more
April 1st 2012
Sunday 1st April 2012 Departed Folkestone and proceeded to Channel Tunnel (7 miles) – all electronic check in – car registration recognition. Last vehicle on shuttle arrived in France on time. La Bien Assise at Guines by 1.30pm (French time). Set up and walked, then sat in glorious sunshine. Early evening drinks in the sun , bar b q – Brilliant.... read more
October 26th 2011
As we get nearer the UK, we’re starting to reflect on the trip and what we’ve seen and done. All has all mostly gone to plan, and exceeded our expectations. It’s been an amazing experience. In the 6 months we have travelled 10564 miles, stayed at 54 different Campsites, spent 7 nights on a yacht, 4 Different Apartments, 3 Hotels, 4 Nights with Friends, and one night on a ferry. We swam in seas, lakes, pools and thermal baths; climbed mountains, walked and cycled through valleys, sailed islands, and explored towns, cities and ancient sites. We ate in restaurants with amazing views, camped at spectacular sites, and met some great like minded people on route. Today travelling through Europe is easier than you think. Thinking how our predecessors managed to find their way through Europe with ... read more
Animals we have met on our way round
Published: October 27th 2011Europe » France » Nord-Pas de Calais » Calais
October 25th 2011
Here are a few photographs of animals we have encountered and sometimes kept us company on our travels. Sadly the photo's not in this collection, are the Scorpion in McDonalds, Macedonia or the Prawn who sort refuge in Cally's swimming suit in Parga, Greece.... read more
And so to Calais, ready for early morning ferry to Dover
Published: September 24th 2011Europe » France » Nord-Pas de Calais » Calais
September 22nd 2011
Driving day today so off to an early start. First of all I took a quick stroll into town and bought our daily baguette and my croissant, something I like to do when we stop in Honfleur as the lovely harbour looks even better before the crowds get there. Bob had decided we would not take the Pont de Normandie to get across the Seine via Le Havre but we would instead go cross-country and cross at Rouen. This seemed like a good plan and the road to Rouen was fine with not too much traffic. Rouen was another matter and I don’t know why Bob had chosen to go through as we swore never to go near it again after the incident with the broken tow-bar and the immobilised motorhome in September 2008. We will ... read more
Circuit balnéaire et historique dans le nord de la France
Published: August 30th 2011Europe » France » Nord-Pas de Calais » Calais
August 30th 2011
Le 26 aux petites heures du matin, nous avons quitté Munich pour Thionville, une petite ville en Lorraine. Après un trajet de 8h (4 trains différents seulement), nous avons récupéré notre petite Fiat Punto, notre bolide qui allait nous conduire un peu partout dans le nord de la France dans les prochains jours. Pour notre jour 1, nous avions prévu une visite de la ligne Maginot plus particulièrement l'ouvrage de Hackenberg. Cette ligne de défense fortifiée a été construite par les Français suite à la première guerre mondiale afin de mieux défendre les nouvelles frontières France-Allemagne. Le projet fut initié dans les années 1928 mais achevé en 1936. Ouvrage comprenant plus de 10km de galeries souterraines dotées entre autres d'un train électrique toujours fonctionnel que nous avons même emprunté. Notre visite guidée était effectuée par un ... read more
The Only Car in Paris With No Dents
Published: August 17th 2011Europe » France » Nord-Pas de Calais » Calais
August 17th 2011
Given how late we had got in the night before, I woke-up quite early in the morning. I was just in time to see the most magnificent sunrise so I grabbed the camera and took some pictures, sad as that was. We then had to brave driving in Paris for one last time and we finally left the city without any dents or scrapes, which we thought was quite an achievement. It was then just a matter of following the satnav on the toll roads to the ferry terminal at Calais, where we arrived with plenty of time to spare. We did try a little diversion to what looked like a National Park just south of Calais, but the signs all disappeared leaving us driving through rural northern France with nothing particularly standing-out as being worth ... read more
Driving home day 4 – Last leg in France – up to Calais.
Published: June 22nd 2011Europe » France » Nord-Pas de Calais » Calais
June 21st 2011
Set off early, well for us anyway, after I had had my quick walk up into town to get a baguette and my breakfast croissant. Just far enough for a leg-stretch, needed as a long drive today from the Loire right up to Calais (240 miles). Kept off the motorways though a couple of times Clarissa Tomtom got a bit above herself and tried to insist. We went through Chateaudun, skirted Chartres and then drove along the Seine but the view of it is mainly obscured by buildings and trees. Horror of horrors, our route took us round Rouen, a city we had vowed to boycott after our towbar / immobiliser incident of 2009. Even worse, as we got close we found our way ahead blocked by an accident and had to take a big detour ... read more
May 2nd 2011
More hills & really strong winds. Got a bit hairy at times but made it to Dover in time for the ferry. Got lost a few times but thanks to Paul's smart phone we found our way. Ferry crossing was choppy but eneventful. Stayed in a lovely place in Ardres - Le Manoir - and enjoyed a few beers and a good meal in the evening. Legs starting to feel it! 60 miles to look forward to tomorrow.... read more
The real adventure still to come...
Published: February 18th 2011Europe » France » Nord-Pas de Calais » Calais
February 18th 2011
The real adventure still to come... The day had finally arrived when we would set off on an adventure of a lifetime, a chance to travel to places that until now I could only dream about. All the research and reading of the Lonely Planet Travel Guide cannot completely prepare you for the wonderful experience of travel. To be free of everyday life and having no restrictions on your time is one of the most pleasurable experiences one will ever know and with the freedom of travel also comes the prospect to liberate yourself of the materials that consume us. And so the adventure begins... The van, it is to be our new home for the next seven months. It is little inside, with a thin foam mattress, a sink and a gas plate and a ... read more
