Europe In Our Motorhome : January 2013

Off Again Soon

We ended 2012 working on a touring park in Hampshire. We have January off and start back here at the beginning of February so we’re off to France via the tunnel on 3rd.

If the weather’s ok we’ll probably spend some time in Normandy but we don’t have anything planned

Day 1

3 January 2013

Camping Jeugdstadion, Ieper, Belguim

Co-ordinates

Arrived in France via the tunnel this morning and headed for Ieper in Belguim.

We are spending the night at Camping Jeugdstadion, the main campsite is closed at this time of the year but the motorhome parking area is open. 12E per night with electricity and free Wi-Fi.

We decided to visit Ieper as we wanted to see the last post at the Menin Gate memorial. It’s as easy walk from the campsite into the town, about 15 minutes along the foot path at the back of the campsite then along by the river.

The Christmas decorations were still up and there plenty of places to eat and drink in this lovely little town.

The last post is played at the gate every evening at 8pm, there was a large crowd present tonight to watch the short but poignant ceremony.

Camping Jeugdstadion

Ieper

Menin Gate memorial

Day 2

4 January 2013

Wissant Aire, Northern France

Co-Ordinates

As we were only a 20 minute drive away we visited the Tyne Cot Cemetery before heading back into France.

We headed for the Aire at Bergues just over the French border, some of the roads in Belguim are a bit bumpy and it was a relief to get back on a French roads.

When we arrived at Bergues we had some lunch and wandered around the walled town. The Aire would be lovely in the summer but we were the only motorhome there it felt a bit bleak and isolated.

As the Wissant Aire was only an hour’s drive we have decided to spend tonight there.

Tyne Cot Cemetery

Bergues Aire

Bergues Town

Wissant Aire

Day 3

5 January 2013

Berck Sur Mer Aire, Northern France

Long / Lat: N 50º23.790’ E01º33.820’

When we woke this morning it was raining so we decided to move to the Aire at Berck.

There is a 6.50€ charge to park herein the summer but as the water is turned off no one has bought a ticket.

There are about 20 vans on the Aire and later in the day some of the French vans were running generators so if we say here for a second night we should be ok to run ours if we need to.

We’ve stayed at this Aire before in the summer, it’s a five minute walk to the sea, about 20 minutes along the sea front into the town.

Berck Sur Mer Aire

Berck Sur Mer

Berck Sur Mer Ai

Berck Sur Mer Beach

Day 4

6 January 2013 (Sunday)

Berck Sur Mer Aire, Northern France

Long / Lat: N 50º23.790’ E01º33.820’

We’re staying at Berck for a second night, there’s no water here but we both had a shower this morning and we still have half a tank of fresh water.

It’s a dull overcast day and as we’re not pulling in any power from the solar panels we are running our generator to top up the leisure batteries and charge the lap top and phones.

The morning we walked along the sea front into the town, most of the shops on the sea front have shut down for the winter but in the main town the bakery, deli and quite a few other shops we open even on a Sunday.

We’re parked next to a couple from the UK who are on their way to Spain but have had to stop over here after a tyre on their motorhome blew out on the motorway. Their new tyre won’t be here until Tuesday.

We are planning to move tomorrow as we need to fill up with LPG but haven’t decided where we’re going yet.

Berck Sur Mer

Day 5

7 January 2013

Dieppe Aire, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º55.815’ E01º05.187’

We left Berck after breakfast, as we said goodbye to John and Judy the lovely English couple we were parked next to for two days. John and Judy – hope you got the motorhome sorted and that the rest of your trip is uneventful!

On the way to the Aire we filled up with LPG and diesel and when we arrived at the aire we were pleased to find that the water is still on here.

7€ for 24 hours parking.

Dieppe Aire

Day 6

8 January 2013

Dieppe Aire, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º55.815’ E01º05.187’

We’ve stayed on this Aire before in the summer when it was packed with vans, today there are just two of us.

We’ve walked into the town a couple of times, found the laundrette and done a bit a washing.

Think we might try to stop over here for the Saturday market on our way back.

If we come back I’m definitely going to get some scallops from the fish market, don’t care how much Pauls moans about the motorhome smelling like a fishing boat.

Dieppe

Day 7

9 January 2013

St Romain De Colbosc, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º31.287’ E00º20.820’’

The weather is horrible today, pouring with rain.

We are spending the night at the Aire in St Romain de Colbosc. The aire is free and is listed as having free water and electricity, open all year.

The aire is very well set out, the bays are large and level but the water and electricity were off when we visited. There are 13 parking places and about 5 of them seemed to be occupied by French full timers.

The aire is next to a busy road and is rather a lot of traffic noise, we didn’t explore the local area due to the persistent rain but there is a large supermarket about 2km from the aire.

St Romain De Colbosc Aire

Day 8

10 January 2013

Honfleur Aire, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º25.151’ E00º14.566’

When we set off this morning we were heading from the Le Havre Aire, we’ve never been therefore so thought we would have a look.

Le Havre Aire

Long/Lat : N 49º29.106’ E00º06.423’

The aire is in the middle of the industrial port area next to a busy road and the drive in took us through some busy roads in the city centre.

We decided not to stop there and drove onto the Aire at Honfleur.

The aire is almost empty, only two vans here when we arrived, there’s parking for over 100 and in the summer it gets full.

The water and electricity are on and it costs 10€ for 24 hours parking.

Le Havre Aire

Honfleur Aire

Day 9

11 January 2013

Honfleur Aire, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º25.151’ E00º14.566’

The weather is much better today, blue sky and sunshine but still a bit chilly.

We love wandering around Honfleur, Paul took lots of photos with his new camera which meant that I got the chance to do a spot of window shopping in the upmarket shops and galleries in the town.

It’s rather nice to spend some time here while the town is quiet, we have visited before in the summer when everywhere bursting at the seams with visitors.

There are only 5 vans on the aire today.

We have been paying 0.85€ for a ltr of LPG and 1.35€ for a ltr of diesel.

Honfleur

Day 10

12 January 2013

We did a bit of shopping and filled up with LPG before we left Honfleur this morning, we have had the gas heating on most of the time as it’s been cold at night and are using 4 or 5 litres of gas a day when we are off hook up.

1^st stop - Beuvron En Auge Aire, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º11.170’’ W00º02.952’

We stopped off at the aire for lunch and had a walk around the picturesque village.

It’s a very short walk from the aire to the lovely village full of quaint timer framed houses.

The aire costs 6€ which includes a token for water, pay at the Tabac. The service point is quite a walk from the parking area and the drive over drain would be difficult to access in a large motorhome but the parking area is quiet and set in a pleasant location.

2^nd stop – Arromanches Les Bains Aire, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º20.358’ W00º37.504’

This aire is next to a sports centre, the parking bays are 9 m in length but very narrow, if all of the bays were occupied you would have just about enough room to open your door.

Don’t think we would stay here when it’s busy as we would struggle to pull out of the bay if we had motorhomes parked next to us.

The aire is a short walk from the sea front where you can see the remains of the Mulberry
Harbour, an amazing site and well worth a visit.

Beuvron En Auge

Beuvron En Auge Road To Aire

Beuvron En Auge

Beuvron En Auge Aire

Arromanches Les Bains

Arromanches Les Bains Aire

Arromanches Les Bains

Day 11

13 January 2013

Today we decided to visit some Aires close to WW2 D-Day sites and memorials.

1^st stop –Super U Motorhome parking and service point at Port-En-Bessin

Long / Lat: N 49º20.590’ W00º45.105’

Two motorhomes parked here overnight, supermarket was open on Sunday.

Port-En-Bessin Super U Aire

2^nd stop – Port En Bessin Aire

Long / Lat: N 49º20.747’ W00º45.497’

This aire is next to a sports centre with residential housing on the other side.

You can just about see the sea from the aire, it costs 3.50€ to stop overnight, there are no facilities here so we decided to have a look at some of the free aires.

Port-En-Bessin Aire

Port-En-Bessin

3^rd stop – Ste Honorine Des Pertes

Long / Lat: N 49º20.872’ W00º48.997’

Pleasant well laid out aire 8€ per night including electricity but have to pay an extra 2.50€ for water.

Ste Honorine Des Pertes Aire

Ste Honorine Des Pertes

4^th Stop – Omaha Beach

Long / Lat: N 49º22.211’ W00º52.762’

We pulled into the coach parking area in front of the D-Day memorial, motorhomes are not allowed to park here (it was pouring with rain and there was no one else about so we stopped there for about 10 minutes). There are places further along the sea front where motorhomes can park.

Omaha Beach

5^th stop – Grandcamp Maisey

Long / Lat: N 49º23.155’ W01º02.306’

Free parking at this aire and 2.50€ for water. We walked into town to the sea front, the sea was wild, waves crashing onto the road running parallel with the beach. We had some lunch at this aire them moved on as it was so muddy there.

Grandcamp Maisey Aire

Grandcamp Maisey

6^th stop – Utah Beach Aire

Long / Lat: N 49º24.855’ W01º10.735’

Free Motorhomeparking at the Utah Beach Memorial & Museum car park, no services.

Utah Beach Aire

Utah Beach

Utah Beach Aire

Utah Beach

7^th stop – Sainte Mere Eglise

Long / Lat: N 49º24.525’ W01º18.902’

Parking in the town square opposite the Airebourne Museum, free during the daytime and 5€ to park overnight, no services.

This is the town where the American Paratrooper got his parachute caught on the church steeple and dangled there for hours while the battle went on below, there is a replica parachute still hanging from the church.

Sainte Mere Eglise

Sainte Mere Eglise Parking

Sainte Mere Eglise

8^th stop – Valognes Aire

Long / Lat: N 49º30.868’ W01º30.046’

Not a very attractive aire but parking on tarmac so we’re not walking mud or sand into the motorhome. There is a laundrette and car wash here so this afternoon we did a bit of washing.

5€ to stay overnight with EHU. (EHU next to parking bays not working but it looks like the service point which costs 2€ is working). There is no ticket machine and so far no one has come to collect any money.

Valognes Aire

Day 12

14 January 2013

Le Mont St Michel Aire, Beauvoir

Long / Lat: N 48º35.643’ W01º30.792’

It was very cold this morning but we were nice and warm inside the motorhome.

We stopped off at the Total garage in Valognes to fill up with LPG and diesel, the garage has a large forecourt and good access to the LPG pump. We are topping up with gas at every opportunity as we are running the heating a lot due to the cold weather .

Total garage Valognes

Long / Lat: N 49º30.440’ W01º27.941’

When we were driving down the A84 this morning there was a sprinkling of snow on the high ground.

We were heading for the Aire at Cancale but decided on route to stop off at Mont St Michel, we put the co ordinates for the Bidonniere Aire into the sta nav but when we arrived the aire was not open (just closed not shut down), so we headed for the new Aire at Beauvoir.

I’m so pleased we ended up here, is 12.50€ to park for 24 hours, purchase a ticket with your card at the machine in the side of the recycling area and use the code to open the barrier.

The aire has 16amp EHU and free Wi-Fi (think you get 6 hours connection time) most of the pitches are hardstanding and they are a generous size, clearly marked out with plenty of space to sit outside in the summer.

The service point is outside the barrier and is very well designed, there is a charge of 4.50€ to use this service point without entering the Aire but we think the code on our parking ticket will let us fill up with water on the way out tomorrow…..will let you know!

There’s a foot/cycle path at the back of the Aire that takes you along by the river all the way to Mont St Michel - 5km. It would be a pleasant walk on a nice day, you can see Mont St Michel in the distance as soon as you reach the river.

There are a few bars and restaurants and a bakers about a 2 minute walk from theAire, go out of the front of the aire and turn left.

Parking at Le Mont St Michel

There is no longer any motorhome parking on the causeway in front of Mont St Michel, the parking is now on the mainland and it’s 25€ for 24 hours parking. We didn’t want to pay that as we have been here before and walked all the way to the top. Both of our sat navs got a bit confused on the way in here as there are some new roads and roundabouts around the new parking areas.

Le Mont St Michel Aire

Le Mont St Michel

Day 13

15 January 2013

Le Vivier Sur Mer Aire, Brittany

Long / Lat: N 48º36.234’ W01º46.811’

This morning we headed along the D155 to the Super U supermarket to do a bit shopping and check out the motorhome parking.

The D155 runs along by the coast line, very pleasant drive and quite a few Aires along this route.

Super U Motorhome Aire, Cancale

Long / Lat: N 48º40.738’ W01º51.909’

The parking is free but on the edge of town, a bit too far to walk into Cancale centre , no services.

Super U Motorhome Aire, Cancale

We stopped off to check out a couple of other aires along the D155.

St Benoit Des Ondes - Long / Lat: N 48º36.990’ W01º50.871’

On the opposite side of the road to the sea, appeared to be shut when we called in.

St Benoit Des Ondes Aire

St Benoit Des Ondes

Le Vivier Sur Mer Aire 2 - N 48º36.330’ W01º47.254’

Next to the graveyard on the opposite side of the road to the sea. No service point.

Le Vivier Sur Mer Aire 2

Le Vivier Sur Mer Aire, Brittany

Long / Lat: N 48º36.234’ W01º46.811’

We headed back to the D155 and parked up at the Le Vivier Sur Mer Aire, the one with the sea view.

It’s 5€ to park overnight, parking fee collected. The services were off when we stayed and no one came to collect any money.

During the afternoon we watched a procession of tractors towing the oyster boats out over the wet sand.

The road behind the aire was a bit noisy during the early evening when the tractors came back with today’s oyster catch but it quietened down later.

Le Vivier Sur Mer Aire

Day 14

16 January 2013

Le Mont St Michel Aire, Beauvoir

Long / Lat: N 48º35.643’ W01º30.792’

It’s looking a bit brighter this morning so we decided to head back to the Mont St Michel Aire as we are planning to go back to Dieppe for the Saturday market.

On the way we stopped at a Carrefour supermarket to get diesel and do some shopping. The garage sells LPG but access would be a bit awkward. There is also parking for motorhomes in the car park.

Long / Lat: N 48º33.520’ W01º30.529’ – Carrefour Supermarket

We arrived at the Mont St Michel aire mid morning, after lunch we made the most of the better weather and walked along by the river to the barrage that has been constructed at the mouth of the river.

There is a free bus shuttle that takes you from the new motorhome parking area along the new road to Mount St Michel. There is rather a lot of redevelopment going on and it looks very different from our last visit.

Le Mont St Michel

New Access To Causeway Le Mont St Michel

Day 16

18 January 2013

Dieppe Aire, Normandy

Long / Lat: N 49º55.815’ E01º05.187’

If had started to snow as we left Honfleur this morning so we decided to head for Dieppe using the toll roads.

The water was still on at Dieppe despite the snow and low temperatures.

We met up with Lyn and Ken who we were parked next to us at Honfleur and were also heading back to Northern France.

We were planning to go the Saturday market but the weather was getting worse so we gave it a miss.

Dieppe Aire In The Snow

Day 17

19 January 2013

Bray Dunes, Northern France

Long / Lat: N 51º03.778’ E02º31.326’

Rather a lot of snow had fallen during the night, we headed out of Dieppe as soon as it was light.

The roads out of Dieppe were really bad this morning and the drive to the A29 was not pleasant but once we got onto the motorway the conditions improved.

There is snow forecast for tomorrow as we decided to stay on the motorway and get as near to Calais as we could. We spent 11.90€ on tolls today but it was well worth it.

We spent an interesting night in the Carrefour supermarket car park. We had a visit from a French guy who spoke no English but came into the motorhome for a guided tour! We got the motorhome stuck in the snow for a bit driving onto the service point but Paul managed to get it out eventually.

Route Out Of Dieppe

Bray Dunes Aire

Day 18

20 January 2013

Calais Cite Europe, Northern France

Long / Lat: N 50º55.975’ E01º48.660’

It was snowing when we left this morning, we weren’t sure if we would manage to get back to the A16 as the roads hadn’t been ploughed or gritted.

It was a bit scary (scary for me, after yesterday Paul thinks he’s an ice road trucker) the back end of the motorhome was sliding about on the roundabouts and we only just made it up some of the hills.

There was just one lane clear on the A16 but this didn’t stop a polish coach driver from tearing up the outside lane overtaking everything.

We arrived at the motorhome parking area at Cite Europe at 9.30am,there are 5 motorhomes parked up here, it has snowed all day and as it’s Sunday and the shops here are closed none of the roads around us have been cleared.

Cite Europe

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January 2013

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