I've located this in Zurich but out campsite is a good 20 km from Zurich, at Ottenbach on the river Reuss, but the blog functionality won't let me locate myself there ! Woke to another stunning blue sky day so packed everything up and drove Smart car and motorhome separately to the motorhome service point so we could empty grey waste, fill with clean water and then hitch Smart Arse onto the back of the motorhome. Easy Peasy and we were off. Bob had chosen a route which was a little let windy and hair-pinned than when we drove over the mountains 2 days ago. It did though involve going via Gerardmer especially as needed fuel. Gerardmer was a nightmare again. Still heaving with people and lots of roads still blocked off. We had to do ... read more

220904 Visiting some pretty Alsace villages Having been told last night by lady in reception that nobody could leave the campsite between 8.15 and 14.00 we were not really expecting to do a lot today. But we checked Google maps which shows a road to the left as we go out of the campsite which is not included in the roads closed off for the cycle part of the triathlon. I asked again at reception, different lady this time and she said yes we Can get out that way, just may have to wait a little where we meet the traffic controls. So Smart Car raring to go now its battery is fully charged we were off. Left the triathlon cyclists to their ride around the mountains and went in the opposite direction winding out way ... read more

Up and away by 7.45 heading for the 9.30 Irish Ferry from Dover. No problems at all. Passport stamped by the French, waved through by the British. Nobody looked even inside the motorhome, never mind checked if the gas was off, if we were carrying anything we shouldn’t. Managed to get a lane number this time so headed through the docks and we were only in the queue for a few minutes before driving up the ramp. Right at the back of the ferry so we could just keep an eye on it from the viewing deck above. We decided not to have a drink on board as the catering costs really are extortionate. Was almost charged £2.50 for a kitkat last time (I say almost as I handed it back !) so we knew better ... read more

And so we came home. We left the campsite early enough to hopefully get the earlier ferry as we had on the way out.....ha ha sometimes things don't go the way we expect ? I'ts qute a few years since we have left France from Calais docks. We have most recently used the Chunnel or Dieppe to Newhaven. Calais has grown even bigger since our last visit. It has also acquired some slightly confusing directional signs.. if you are not accustomed to them. We were concentrating on the ferry we were to use Irish Ferries. Didn't want to accidentally get DFDS or heaven forbid P&O. So we followed the signs to our type of ferry. We should have followed the much smalller vehicle signage but hindsight is wonderful isn't it ? So we found ourselves in ... read more

What an absolutely super town, or city really as Laon has a cathedral. To make our day even better the sun was back in full and we had a glorious blue sky all day long. Fantastic. Smart Arse was more than happy to take us up the very steep hill into town which is built on a high ridge with views across the valley below in all directions. We found a car park on the edge of the ramparts which still almost surround the old city. It seems that parking in the city is free which was a pleasant surprise. The main street was festooned with multi-coloured balloons. It looked amazing. So much more impressive than the tradional bunting used in most places. I've seen photos which show that Laon in other years had a display ... read more