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2009

As we could no longer use our Tesco Supermarket vouchers for the ferry, we looked at other ways to use them for our holiday.  Siblu holidays have campsites in France and take Tesco vouchers as payment, so for a change we have pre booked our first three campsites with Siblu and also, received a discounted ferry crossings with P&O, through them.  So we are still going Hull to Zeebrugge and all in, the cost of the holiday will work out to be about the same as last year. 

When Nicole heard what we had booked she also used her Tesco vouchers to do something very similar but in a mobile home, then some time later after buying a caravan Mick also books the same site but at full price.  We will arrive at the site on the Sunday afternoon, with Ralph and Amber (late additions to the trip) arriving later that night, next to get there will be Mick and Bren on Monday afternoon, followed by Nicole, Tim, Georgia and Emily that evening.

Uneventful Hull to Zeebrugge crossing, the entertainment still hasn't got any better, the Stella and wine was cheap in the ships shop so we bought some for the first couple of days.

Day two 7th June

As this was going to be a long day with a very long drive, we did not make our usual visit  the supermarket in Blankenberge, to stock up with Belgian beer's, we would just call in on the way home (but we never did).  We also did not have to stop for fuel, we had filled up near Hull knowing there was not much to be saved over here anymore. 

So off we set for Onzain on the Loire, straight out of the port on the N31 to the A17 as far as the A14, in France this changes name to the A22.  Then round Lille on the Boulevard Périphérique Est de Lille to the A1 all the way to Paris.  We had two sat navs with us this year, both route us on the Boulevard Périphérique through Paris, a few years back we did try the A68 past Paris but this was very busy and took an age anyway, so we though why not.  Anyway by following signposts for our destination we ended up going the same way as last time and again it was slow and busy (even early on Sunday afternoon).  This brings us onto the A6 where we head off onto the A10 to junction 17 where we head towards Blois on the D952A then N1592 then D952 along the Loire to Onzain.  At the roundabout at the first bridge after Blois turn right into Onzain on the D1 then right at the Y junction and right at the T junction onto the D58 then left on the D45 to the campsite in about 1.5 miles.

On the route down, we received a text from Nicole, asking how we were doing, it tuned out we were only a few miles apart on the A1, so we arranged to meet at the next Aire for a picnic.  The reason they would not be arriving until tomorrow was that they were sopping the first night at La Croix Du Vieux Pont, Berny-Rivière, where we where last year and from there they would then go to Disney for the day before continuing to Onzain.  The girls had no knowledge of the visit to Disney, so it was all a big surprise the next day.

ONZAIN Siblu's Donaine de Dugny Ferme de Dugny - 41150 Onzain Web Site

Checked in and went to find a suitable pitch, preferably two pitches together (one for Mick and Bren arriving the next day), a lot of them where low down and a bit boggy, also a bit dark in among the trees.  Found two together and put a "pitch in use sign" on the other a slightly bigger one for Mick.   It than started to rain, I was trying to get the satellite working, without much success, so gave up for the night.    

Ralph and Amber were due to arrive about 20:00 but eventually arrived at somewhere around 22:30, you should always check you have the right town in the SatNav.  

Day three 8th June

It was wet, a large pitch closer to the pool and with a clear view for the sat was vacated, there was also a vacant pitch next to it but we couldn't be bothered to move as it was raining.  Around dinnertime during a break in the weather we moved onto the better pitch, just as a caravan was coming down the road towards it (we had seen them looking and this spurred us to move fast), they did not look pleased as the drove past. 

When we got back from the drive, which consisted of Ralph driving and me jumping out during breaks in the rain to take photos, we called back into reception to collect the keys for Nicole's mobile home.  We did this as it was going to be late before they arrived.  We walked over the the mobile home and took a photo with the mobile phone and sent it to Nicole.  We also got the satellite working for Amber to watch while it was raining.

Nicole and the others arrived about 20:00 and it stopped raining long enough to get the BBQ going to make a late tea/super for everyone, this was followed by several beers.

Day four 9th June

On the morning the young ones went to the kids club and really enjoyed themselves, Dot had to stop there with Amber, as she was not old enough to be there on her own.   I think Dot really enjoyed it as well as the girls.  There was also a trip to the supermarket for more beer, wine, food, etc.

By the afternoon the sun came out, so we made the best of it by going to the pool, although we had to move to the inside pool for a while during a thunder storm.  Me and the kids rescued a frog from the pool but we did not do much else. 

On the evening Mick and Bren made supper for us all around Nicole's place, curry and rice, very good it was, with several beers. 

Day five 10th June

Weather not very good, the bad morning was used up with the girls at the kids club.   After lunch Nicole, Tim and the twins went to the pool while the rest of us went for a drive. 

Drove to Chaumont-sur-Loire and set off for a walk but the heavens opened and we headed back into Onzain.  We parked up in the market square and made a beeline for the nearest bar.  Luckily the bar we found had loads of kids games, so that kept Amber, Dot and Bren amused while we had a couple of Pelforth Blondes.

That night we had a BBQ round Nicole's and as Mick could not get his satellite working next to his van, we set it up there for the kids.  Not a good day weather wise but not a compete waste.

Day six 11th June

At last the weather improved and as we did yesterday, after lunch, Nicole, Tim and the twins went to the pool while the rest of us went for another drive. 

We drove along the river Loire to Amboise, where we had a good walk around the town, I say walk, Amber wouldn't, so Ralph and Dot took turns carrying her.  We did not go into the famous Château d'Amboise, but we did explore around the outside and the shopping streets.

As it was market day in Onzain we headed back there for a look around the stalls, after eventually getting parked, it took about two mins to look around as the market was that small.  We did however get some new sandals for Amber (not that she needs them).  Anyway as we where in the market square we decided it would be a good idea to try one of the other bars, just for research you understand.

Back at the site, we went to the takeaway to get pizzas for tea, we also had a large beer in the sun while we waited for them to cook. 

England had a match that evening so Mick, Ralph and me got settled in at Nicole's to watch it and the others all went off to a kids show at the bar.  As Mick's satellite receiver did not get the sports cannel, we had to get my receiver set up first, in the end the game against Andorra was a bit one sided with England winning 6 - 0.  The others had watched the match over at the bar anyway.

Day seven 12th June

Ralph and Amber left for home after lunch, Amber spent the morning in the pool with Gran.  They left about 14:00, with the plan of avoiding toll roads on the way back to Dunkerque.  That managed it with about 20 mins to spare.

Me, Dot, Mick and Bren, went for a drive into Blois where we had a walk along the river.  As it was the hottest day so far we found a nice little bar and settled down outside for a couple of drinks.  We got some very nice Wendelinus Abbye beer form Meteor, but Mick thought it was a bit strong (he was driving), so he gave his to me and got a weaker Meteor Lager.

We had another BBQ for tea and then went over to the kids club show at the bar, as part of the show the girls had learned the New Zealand haka and they were very good.  We stopped over the bar for a few beers as it was our last night there and we were using Euro vouchers we got before we set off from home. 

The deal with the vouchers was, one voucher was £1.00 and could be exchanged for €1.25 in goods from the campsite (food, beer, etc), whereas the best exchange rate I got away was on my debit card of €1.17 or at home €1.11.  So not a bad deal, with the vouchers and we took Nicole's unused vouchers for the next campsite.  As a rule when away, I use my debit card for anything I can and have usually got a better exchange than by another method.

Day eight 13th June

We all got packed up and set off from the campsite at about the same time, Nicole, Tim and the girls for home and the rest of us heading for another Siblu site on the coast.

From the campsite after filling up with fuel in town, we got back on the D45 and headed along the river for Amboise.  Just before Amboise we turned left over the river on the D31 heading for a new motorway that we were not sure was actually finished (we did this once before in 2004 and it wasn't and we nearly ran out of fuel).  Well the motorway the A85 was open but we didn't know where the slip road was, it wasn't where the sat nav said it should be.  We could only see a set of toll booths for the road eastbound so we parked up and observed what was going on, eventually we saw a wagon that used the toll booths heading east on the motorway, so through the toll booths we went.  The road split after the toll booths and crossed over to head east, we were on the A85 to its end at the A11, where we turned left.  Again we follow the A11 to its end where it changes to the A844, then to the A821 and then N165.   At Savenay we turned left onto the N171 for St-Nazaire, as we approach St-Nazaire we can see the big bridge over the mouth of the river Loire that we must cross over to reach the campsite.  At a  roundabout we turn left onto the D213 and over the bridge, from the bridge, the site at Saint-brevin-les-pins is about 4.5 miles on the right.

SAINT-BREVIN Siblu's Les Pierres Couchees Avenue des Pierres Couchées, 44250 Saint-brevin-les-pins Web Site

Checked in and we were given sites next to each other, we drove to the touring pitches only to discover that, one had a tent on it already and the other was the smallest pitch on the campsite.  Not only that, this tent was the only other tourer on the site, every other touring pitch was free.  We unhooked Mick's car and drove the long road back to reception, we had picked two large pitches together first.  In reception a comedian changed our booking details and suggested we set fire to the tent. 

It took us a long time to realise that in France we are usually given an unsuitable pitch and have to go to reception and change it, not just put up with it.

Quickly set up (didn't bother with the satellites as we where in a forest), put some cold beers in a cool bag and headed for the beach.  The beach is fairy close, if it wasn't for the long walk to the gate to get off the site it would be closer.  As we passed the reception area, we had a quick look at the pool, shop, bar, etc, unfortunately for the girls the rugby was on in the bar, we had to have a beer and watch the end, fortunately for them it was only the second half.   A French guy next to us stood and cheered every time South Africa's Western Province got a point and went mad when they went into the lead, anyway he was very quiet when the lions won with practically the last kick of the game.  The beach is about 500 yard from the campsite gate and the fine sand carries on for miles in both directions.  There is a strip of ground between the beach and the land fenced off as a nature reserve, containing wild flora and fauna, but there are paths through it at regular intervals.

We had had a long day so we had a short walk along the beach, then sat on the sand dunes and had a beer in the hot sun.

Back at the vans Mick and Bren made tea and we had drinks outside until it was dark, then watched a DVD in Mick's caravan.

Day nine 14th June

On the morning of another hot day, we walked to reception for Mick to get internet access and we had a beer in the sun while he got setup.  When we got back to the caravan it didn't work so Mick just went back and got a refund. 

After lunch we drove to the closest seaside village Saint-Brévin-l'Océan, about 2.5 miles, parked by the marina and had a walk along to beach there.  The where views of the Bridge from yesterday and the massive shipyards at St-Nazaire, where the Queen Mary II was built.   There were also some of the fishing contraptions (Pêche au carrelet), that the area is famous for, doted along the shore, they are fantastic looking things.   There are also many WW2 German defences along the coast, as the big German U-boat pens where in St-Nazaire.

Day ten 15th June

Mick and Bren's last day before there long drive back north to Belgium, for the ferry home.  So we made a picnic and set of for a drive.  Our first stop was at the marina at Pornic, the weather was dull but we had a walk around anyway then drove into Pornic town.  There we walked along the river through the town, eventually the sun came out and we made our way back to the car, found a seat facing the river and had our picnic lunch. 

After lunch we had a drive along the coast and found a lovely little secluded beach, at Sainte-Marie-sur-Mer.  We parked in a lay-by on top of the cliff and walked down a path that we though lead the beach but it actually lead to a small shrine dug into the side of the cliff.  We had to climb all the way back up and find the right way down but it was worth it for such a nice beach.

After a plodge in the sea we made our back to the car and continued along the coast hading back towards the site.  Our next stop was Pointe de Saint-Gildas, where we had a short walk to the lighthouse and then had the obligatory beer or two. 

After that we went shopping for Mick and Bren to get stuff for them to take home and some food for a last BBQ together.  After super it was an early night as Mick and Bren had a 500 mile drive back to the port of Zeebrugge.

Day eleven 16th June

Up very early to see Mick and Bren off on there long drive.  Even though we where up early it was about 11 before we set off on a walk, we headed back to the beach and set off in a southerly direction.  We started the walk along the edge of the woodland on the opposite side of the nature reserve to the beach but eventually we took one of the path through to the shore.  We headed along the long golden beach towards a line of Pêche au carrelet fishing towers. 

As the tide was high we had to leave the beach and head up some wooden steps to take a short detour through Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef an urban area before we could get back down to the sea.  Actually we continued along the seafront on the promenade as the tide was still too high for a continuous walk on the beach.   We eventually came down from the promenade to a small marina at Tharon-Plage, where we had a walk along and a sit on the pier there (and a cold beer that just happened to be in my bag).  After a rest (and using the toilets at the marina) we continue along the promenade, passed hotels and bars, all very quiet at this time of year.  When the got to what must have been the centre we headed inland into the town, to find a cash machine (ATM) and after that sat outside a bar for a couple of refreshing Grimbergans.

Then it was back to the seafront for a sit in the sun, admiring the views and had another beer from our bag.  Sat there we noticed people going up and down the steps to the beach, carrying bottles of all shapes and sizes, glass or plastic.   So when they have all gone we have have to go and investigate, at the bottom of the steps is a row of water outlets into a blue tilled trogh, it looked like it was for washing sand from your feet, except there was a notice telling you not to.  So the locals had been filling up with fresh water here, Dot had a drink but mot me.  The tide was now down, so we walked all the way back along the beach, we passed a group of school children learning how to use sail buggies, it looked like fun and a lot more than we ever did at school.

Back at the site Dot wanted to go in the pool but didn't have the armband pass we had been given for access to the pool and it was a long walk back to the van to collect them.  So we went into reception and said we had lost one, after some tuts, we got one and dot when for a soak in the jacuzzi.  While I waited for her, I had a couple of cold beers in the very hot sun, using Siblu's Euro vouchers to pay.

Soon Dot joined me for one, before we went back to the van for supper and an early night as we were moving on in the morning.

Day twelve 17th June

Up early and on the road for 10:00 heading for another Siblu site at Pont Aven, the first thing I wanted to do, was to get a photo of the bridge over the mouth of the river Loire, the one we we crossed on the way.  So it was out of the site right onto the D213 back the way we came and over the bridge, unfortunately there was no viewing place to stop and in looking for a view, we ended up off course and it took a bit to get back on track.  Anyway we got back on the N171 (the way we came several days ago) we took a left on the D4/D773 to the N165.  As we crossed over the river Vilaine we could see a suspension bridge down stream and a sign the said bride view, so we headed off the road into the service area (Aire de Marzan) for a look.  

To cut a long story short, after a walk in and out of the woods, we eventually found a path down to the river, to a place under the bridge we had just driven across.  The Bridge we were under Pont du Morbihan (1995), the arch of the bridge has 2 staircases to allow pedestrians to cross the river Vilaine under the main car deck, so we had a walk over.  From there we could see the suspension bridge the Pont de La Roche-Bernard (1960), the older bridge was accidental destroyed, when the lightning hit explosives installed by the German army. 

We could have walked all the way to the suspension bridge but we did not have the time as there was another stop we wanted to make.  So it was back on the N165 to Auray where we took a detour on the D768 and D119 to Carnac with it hundreds of  megalithic standing stones.  We parked in a free car park next to the visitor centre and considered do in a trip on the little land train but it was finished for lunch, so we just had a walk around one of the larger field of stones.  At this time for year you are not allowed in with the stones unless you are on a guided tour, we read that the average visit to Carnac is about one hour long, we were there about an hour.

Back the way we came back onto the N165, I had decided we would not take the recommended turnoff but take the next one as this missed out driving through Pont Aven, we did need to refuel soon but had plenty in reserve.  We had plenty that is if the turnoff had not been closed and we had to drive the extra distance to the next one and then find fuel.  As soon as we were off the main road we stopped and found the nearest petrol station on the GPS and headed there, it was the most expensive fuel we bought but what can you do.  Getting back to the route, it should have been off the N165 left onto the D24 right on the C3 / D77 to the site.

PONT AVEN Siblu's Domaine de Kerlann Rue de l'Ocean, 29930 Pont-Aven Web Site

Reception was friendly as usual but again we were put on a totally unsuitable pitch, as we drove round with the number of of the pitch in hand I said to Dot "no need to look, that one over there, the small one with a rock as big as any at Carnac in the middle of it will be ours" and it was,  As with the last campsite we were the only tourer there, so had the pick of pitches, we just moved and informed reception as to what we had done.

It was too late to do anything now, so we had a walk around the site, something to eat (with chips from the takeaway) and wandered back over to the entertainment part of the site and had some beers and watched a singer on the outside stage.

Day thirteen 18th June

In reception I asked if it was possible to walk into Pont Aven and they said, no, best to get a taxi, so, we walked in.  It was about 2.5 mile to the pont in Pont Aven, a bit of a boring and hot walk but we where prepared with the right shoes, drinks, etc.  It was well worth it, as Pont Aven is a very beautiful village, epically the small river running through, with its many footbridges and waterwheels.

We wandered through the village following the river, passed the pleasure boat trips (that we decided we would not go on), to the end of the path and then turned back, as we had done quite a lot of walking already.  We didn't want to do much more walking as we still had the 2.5 mile walk balk back to the campsite.   As we walk back we rethought the idea of a boat trip and as one was due to go soon, we set off at a brisk pace to catch it.  When we got to the boat ticket booth, a large group of school kids was approaching and I said to Dot I didn't want to go if the boat was full of noisy children.  Anyway they walked passed, so we bought tickets and boarded the boat, where a lady asked if we could leave certain seats free, as a party of school children were due to arrive.  As it turns out, I have never see such a well behaved, polite group of kids in my life and anyway they got off the boat at the half way stage in the trip.  It was a very pictures cruise down the river Aven to the sea, with lots to look at along the way, fantastic scenery, boat wrecks and lots of châteaus.

The boat ride as about an hour and a half and when it was over I wanted a beer, luckily the boat drops off right next to a pub.  Unluckily the beer was off and we had to wait for the new barrel to be connected but it looked like none of them knew how to do it, so we just sat in the sun and let them get on with it. 

After the beer we had a look around the shops and popped into a supermarket for a couple of things, also had a look at an old single track bridge before the long walk back to the campsite.

Back at the site we went over to the bar area for the evening, Dot went into the show room while I watched some football in the bar.

Day fourteen 19th June

Today we had a rest and did holiday things, we sat in the sun, read books, swam in the pool, drank beer, went to the show on the night and didn't walk anywhere.  We also had one of the longest drives we have ever done in one day ahead of us tomorrow.

Day fifteen 20th June 

Bruges, was our next planned stop, but at 530 miles it was a long way, or we could stop after about 270 mile at the Honfleur Aire for the night, and then set off for Bruges again first thing the next morning.  The decision was to just drive until I was tired and see where we where.

We left the campsite the way we should have came, left on to the D77 / C2 left onto he D24 and right onto the N165.  Back along the N165 to the N24 towards to Rennes, the ring road at Rennes is the N136 and we come off that onto the A84.  We did not want problems with fuel again and turned off the A84 into the small town of La Mare Gaucher, where we got diesel from a supermarket and also popped in for some food and a few cases of Leffe, that was on sale, a real bargain.

Back on the A84, you know how kids keep asking "are we there yet" well Dot kept asking "can we go to Mont Saint-Michel" and I would reply "no we do not have time" or "no its too far out of our way" but eventually after passing sign after sign saying "Mont Saint-Michel next left" I gave in and turned off towards Mont Saint-Michel.  It is one of the best changes of mind or back downs I have ever from me.  So at exit 33 on the A84 we tuned left onto the N276 to the D49 / D75 / D275 then right on to the D976 the causeway.

Mont Saint-Michel The Aire, Mont Saint-Michel D976, 50170, Le Mont-Saint-Michel

It was €8.00 to park the motorhome on the causeway but that included overnight stop if you wanted to, we decided we would, even though that left us with a 360 mile drive tomorrow.  It was our first time using a Camping car Aire, we found a spot where the motorhomes were not to close together and with a good view of the Mont.  Some others were parked very, very, close to each other, one reason we haven't waned to use Aires before this.

Before we went out, I had to get the fridge working on gas, something I think we have only ever done once in all the time we have had the van.  The tide was out so we went down onto the sands and walked all the way round the outside of the island before heading inside the walls, to wander around the streets, making our way higher and higher, By this time of the day, many of the visitors were leaving but it was still very busy.

Inside the walls we had no idea where we were going so we just wandered about taking in all the views, all the time climbing higher towards the cathedral.  When we did get there, there was a queue to get in and as we were not that bother about it anyway, we just continued to wander round.  Eventually while looking in some gift shops, I noticed beer in a fridge, so we got a couple and had a sit down, admiring the views with a cold beer.

We moved on when a succession of nuns wanted to use the door we were sat in front of, so we followed the crowds who were looking for vantage points to watch the tide race in.  And it does come in very fast, but it didn't get as high as I thought it would.  This will all change though, when controversial plans to remove the causeway happen in the next couple of years (controversial plans, because I think they are not properly thought out)

The car parks, Aire and causeway to Mont Saint-Michell, it will be removed and replaced with a bridge. The new car parks will be sited inland, with shuttles to take visitors across the new bridge to the Mont, this is all supposedly for environmental reasons, I think it is for financial reasons, so that some people can make more money from the tourists.  I also personally think it will backfire and visitor numbers will drop off, especially the many thousands of motorhomers, who at the moment stay there overnight, keeping the bars and restaurants alive on an evening.

When the tide was in we made our way back onto the main street and had a couple of beers in a bar, before setting off back to the van, where we had supper and watched a wonderful sunset, with Mont Saint-Michell in the background. 

Day sixteen 21st June

Leaving France today and heading into Belgium, back Bruges to be precise, we set off about seven, but I had problems getting the van into gear.  We eventually got going but on the causeway, the clutch just wouldn't work and I had to pull over.  We go the warning triangles out and Dot placed them front and rear of the van, while I looked under the bonnet (hood), I don't remember if we used the hi-vis vests.  This was not good, we had 360 miles to travel and seemingly no clutch, I was wishing we hadn't got out of the car park, as there was plenty of help back there from other motorhome owners.  Before I set off back to see if I could get help, I had a quick look under the dashboard at the peddles (looking for snapped cables, or something) and the clutch peddle was flat on the floor.  I lifted it up and down a couple of times and it became firm and started working again, I don't know if it was a trapped cable or a stuck automatic adjuster but it was back to normal and has been ever since.

So it was back on the road, followed the way we came, back out to the D456 and north, to the D875 and A84.  At Caen we took the southern part of the ring road to the A13 then left onto the A29, then A28 to the A16 into Belgium where the road name changes to the A18.  We followed the A18 to a right onto the A10 and then N973 into Bruges.

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