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Published: October 12th 2023
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Whoop Whoop France here we come!
It seems like a lifetime that we've been waiting to get to this point but it's been worth it. As ever with Le Shuttle it's always very straightforward - roll up, ANPR acknowledges who you are and your booking, you confirm, then just enough time to nab a coffee and breakfast, before being directed through to border controls (both UK and French). From arrival to driving off the other end was about an hour.
The night before we'd checked the weather (just to ensure we were going to be in the sunshine) and picked our first stop, Evreux. A fab little six pitch
Camping Car Park site with electric hookup and water/waste and to just put the cherry on the top, 11 Euro a night! It was quite noisy, but nothing unexpected as it was is the middle of town, but after 4 1/2 hours driving, sleep took over it really made no difference to us.
Bright as buttons we set off on the second leg (our objective is to get down through France at a reasonable rate so that we can spend time in Spain) and aimed for a 2 night stopover at
Jack
Jack the gentoo will be travelling everything - if you would like your own 'Jack' visit: www.ukaht.org St Georges Les Baillargeaux (near Poitiers). It was a really long drive (about 5 hours), so we needed a couple of nights to recharge our batteries and stretch the old bods a bit. What was just fab about this site was the birds' morning chorus. They were in full swing with various songs, pips and whistles. It was so loud, but weirdly stopped around 7.45am - time to get up I guess. Using our
ASCI card we can stay at so many sites for a fixed price and needless to say this was one accepted the card. Our 2 nights cost 42 Euros (for 2 nights!). Fed, showered and feeling alive we took a walk into town - this might sound quite normal, but for me it was a huge thing. I'm finally starting to walk again with just a stick and this walk was 2 miles. No swelling, no pain I feel like superwoman! I've still been doing my physio whilst Chris drives, which is somewhat entertaining wrestling with a ball and stretching my leg out. However the results are obviously worth it! Chris managed a dip in the pool whilst I watched on in complete and utter envy (still
can't swim for at least 2 more weeks!).
We had a slight detour and went to one of our favourite places Ile' d'Oleron for a few nights - again the morning chorus was just so loud, but I love it and makes me think of the UK - not sure why. The larger out of the two islands on the west coast of France, and only 4 hours drive, didn't fail. Walking up to the harbour we had cheeky coffees (which blows your socks off) and people watched, which is just the best. The sun is shining, its super warm and life is just great. Another 2 mile walk for me, so again YEAH! Of course there is always a visit to the patisserie and without fail our eyes are bigger than our tums. After lunch and a cake, no cooked dinner required!
Where to next - Chris set a destination just over the Pyrenees and into Spain, so it was a case of how far do we go. Another Camping Car Park Site in Grenade-sur-l'Adour just inside the French border for one night. It was another really long 5 hour drive to get there, but needs must.
Deciding not to use the toll roads, does add time to each journey, but the scenery and slower pace makes it worthwhile. The roads are ridiculously empty and we pootle along, waving at other motorhomes (it's a thing) and getting cross at the ones who don't wave back, sacré bleu! I did have a little case of the sillies and put a huge foam hand on my foot and used that which got us a few giggles. You have to remember 99% of the motorhomes we see are French so for them seeing the driver waving a large yellow hand must be quite a shock. Anything for shits and giggles. As we've been driving towards the Pyrenees the landscape and architecture is slowing changing. The land is more undulating and definitely greener and the air just feels fresher and the houses are changing from the quint essential French style to a more chalet look.
Pyrenees next ......
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