Back in Blighty

It has been a long time since we updated to blog and to be honest, really don’t know where to begin. It all started when we woke up in Campy on the morning of the Wed 6 March and the weather had taken a dramatic turn for the worst. The Atlantic was very angry for some reason huge waves crashed the shore and the wind and rain were hammering at the windows of the Van. We made the best of the day but it was clear it was set for the day and we were in for an unpleasant rock and roll sort of a day.

After lunch we walked to the WiFi bar and looked at the weather on the internet and to our horror it was not going to improve for at least two weeks. After a short chat we decided that we might as well move on as sit in the van and be battered. Even though we had already bought our ferry ticket for the 29th we thought it might possible to exchange the ticket get back to the UK earlier, We contacted Premier and requested them to make the new van ready earlier, they agreed to do it by Saturday 16 March. 

So on the Thursday 7 March we were on the road again and heading north up the coast. We battled the elements for most of the day and by the evening we were in Lyon (Spain) It was a shame to rush through the country as it was beautiful but the weather was so bad it was not a time for sight seeing. We drove 555km mostly on the ‘A’ roads which as it turned out was a mistake. By our reckoning it took a couple of hours longer by not using the motorways and probably cost us more in fuel than paying the toll. A lesson that will be rectified tomorrow. 

On the up side the drive was spectacular as we drove through the mountains only spoilt by the low cloud base which obscured the view. We promised ourselves we would come back this way again someday. The Aire in Lyon was fine, a long row of vans in specially marked bays in a public car park opposite a shopping centre and alongside a river. It was however freezing cold and we had to have the heating on all night.

By the end of the Friday 8 March we were at Bordeaux (French France). The motorway driving was fantastic and a welcome break from the windy roads of the previous day. There were no hold ups, road works, potholes, tailgaters or road raged nutters to worry about. At times we had the whole motorway to ourselves. We sailed along all day at 120kph on cruise control and sat there watching the Kilometers drift by. By the time we reached Bordeaux we had done an amazing 624k. 

We camped the night on a supermarket car park not far from a petrol station and a Lidl. We were the only ones there but it didn’t bother us a bit. We shut the curtains, put the heating and music on and we could have been anywhere. As it happened it was a great place to stay. 

Up and at it quite early on the morning of Saturday 9 March, it was straight on the motorway and on with the cruise control. On route, we decided it really was time we took showers as we were both in need of one. At lunch time we found a campsite which was open and had all the facilities but there was a 2hr wait until the warden returned from his\her lunch. It would also have cost a fortune to stay there so we decided the shower would have to wait. Luckily, we found a solution back on the motorway. At a previous service station we noticed there was showers and sure enough the next one we came to also had them. Two euros and a shared shower later and we were sparkling like new pins. Fantastic hot and very powerful, just what every trucker needs...

We were in Le Havre by about 4pm having completed another 633k. That made a total of 1812k in 3 days. We spent about €71.70 on toll which we thought was reasonable and well worth the expense. That evening we stayed on the Aire next to the ports and the ferry terminal. The Ferry wouldn’t leave till 5pm the next day but that was fine as we could occupy ourselves for the day in Le Havre. Another freezing night.

Sunday 10 March - Washing day. First thing after breakfast we walked the long way round to the Ferry office and swapped the ticket to that evening’s sail. We then walked the short route back to Campy and collected all the washing and spent the rest of the morning in the launderette. Not very glamorous but rewarding to have all clean clothes and bedding. We also had a walk around the city and took in a few of the sites. Le Havre was very badly bombed in the war and now has many concrete buildings and apartment blocks. We marveled at the ‘upside down yoghurt pot’ which is a cultural centre.

The loading of the ferry started at 3pm and we were in the queue near the front. At about 4pm once the sniffer dogs had been up and down a few times, we were allowed to drive onto the ferry and go the the lounge area.

It was quite a small ferry certainly by Calais standards. The duty free shop was a real disappointment. In the end we came back to the UK without a single drop of alcohol on board. 5pm and we were let go and we weren’t out the harbour before the Captain announced that we were in for a rough passage. Poor Petra suffered until Kev found a seat in the centre of the ship where the motion was kinder. We arrived in Portsmouth five and a half hours later and we were all glad to get off.

That night we intended to spent the night on the Safesure car park where all our belongings are stored, it’s next to Fratten Park football ground. Unfortunately, the barrier was down and we couldn’t get in. Not put off by this on the opposite side of the road is a B&Q car park and surprise surprise a row or VW T5 vans. We parked Campy in the middle of them and went to MacDonald's for a late cup of tea and a bag of fries.

Monday 11 March, We had a bit of shock in the morning and couldn't believe how cold it had been in the night. There was snow on the van for goodness sake? We were up at 6am and over to MadDonald’s before you could say MacMuffin. The rest of the day was spent in the storage depot finding warm coats and dropping stuff off. In the evening we arrived at our friends house (George) in Aldwick who is a friend of Gaby’s and who had so kindly invited us to stay.

We are so grateful to Gaby and George, Gaby who fed us like kings and to George who put up with all of Campy’s belongings taking over his spare room. How he put up with us is a miracle and a testament to his good nature. We will be forever in their debt for the kindness they showed. We stayed at George’s house for a week where we made the final arrangements for the hand over of the van’s and sorting out of our equipment. We could never have done it without there help and we love you both.

The big day finally arrived on Saturday 16 March and we went down to Premier to swap over the van. I would like to say it was a sad moment for us to say goodbye to Campy but in the end it really was ok. As soon as we saw the new van which (due to the appalling weather) was under cover in the workshop we knew we had done the right thing. ‘He who must yet be named’ stood there resplendent all white and silver. we went inside and it was so warm and snug we immediately took to it. Premier were great, a fantastic un-rushed handover and no effort was too small. they even fitted a clothes rail in the garage for our extra clothes. We made a few purchases from the shop and after we set off. 

It was really odd driving a left hand drive vehicle on the left side of the road which was of course opposite to driving Campy abroad. It took a bit of getting used too especially having the gear changer on the right. We went back to George’s and spent the afternoon loading up our stuff which took most of the afternoon. 

It was very sad to say goodbye to Gaby and George as we have really loved our time with them and will miss them both very much. Thank you both so much for all you have done for us X

So, we said our goodbyes and we were on the road again. This time we were on our way to visit Kev’s big sister Carol and Warwick in Chard. It was only two and a half hours away but it was a good chance to get used to driving the van. The van is much wider than Campy was and with the steering wheel on the left, it is so easy to wander on to the cats eyes in the middle of the road. It took a great deal of concentration at first but by the end of the journey it was all ok and settled. Mind you, Kev’s looking forward to getting back on the continent so at last he can drive the correct vehicle on the correct side of the road.

Friday 22 March
It hasn’t stopped raining since we arrived in the UK and quite frankly it’s getting us down. We can’t go back abroad yet as we want to see the rest of the family & friends and we have some jobs to be done on the van. But one thing for sure, we will be back on that ferry before April is out. 

We have ordered a few extras for the van including the LPG gas system which means we can fill up the gas cylinders in any country from the service stations. It would have been almost impossible to have kept up with changing gas regulators in all the countries we eventually intend to travel in so it made sense to do it now rather than later. We are also having two brand new leisure batteries fitted to boost the available power we need. The battery that came with the van was faulty and Premier are replacing it FOC. We are also having a rear panel replaced that had been damaged by the previous owner. Apparently, these panels are only stuck on with velcro so it shouldn’t take long!

Carol and Warwick have kindly agreed to look after us as long as we need to stay so again many thanks to them for their kindness and hospitality. With the weather as it is we could be here for some time!!! Their huge drive has given us a great opportunity to park the van right outside the door and we have had a proper sort out of all the cupboards.

Due to the weather Kev hasn’t taken a single photo so there will be no pictures on the blog today. Also, we doubt there will be another entry for a week or so as we will be at Carol’s waiting for the weather to change. We have had a couple of outings. Ilminster is a lovely little town about 5 miles from Chard. We strolled around the town with Warwick and had coffee in the Arts centre there. They had an excellent exhibition of local artist’s work. Tomorrow we are planning a day in Exeter.