2013 France

After arriving back in the UK we did get to Alan\’s funeral and we were not expected. Both Tina and I were so pleased that we made it even though it was a sad experience. We will miss you and that jovial and forever happy outlook. So many good times we spent in recent months. R.I.P.

Our two month holiday has shown us that we really enjoy the time we have touring around. It is unlikely that we will join rallies in the future due to our inability to do the walking and having the dogs with us being left in the van all day. We are now looking forward to 2014 were we have more adventures planned with trips to Europe and North Africa planned.

Much planning and ensuring we have the correct jabs etc for us and the dogs we can\’t wait. Roll on 2014.

This was a site we used which seemed to be really popular.  The dogs had a walk along the beach and this was a new experience for Woody. Squeezed in at the end of the Aire.

Our final stop before getting back to the coast was Richbourg. This was a new Aire with good facilities on the edge of town next to a Gym. Lovely setting and definitely a good overnight stop.

The next stop on our journey home was Soissons where we parked by the river. Not the best of places but was OK for an overnight stop. There was some activity on the water to keep us interested.

Today we continued our journey north and made our way to Nogent sur Vernisson.

This was a small car park with access to a lovely park area. We drove through a housing estate finding the parking area at the cul-de-sac end of the road. The dogs loved the walks around the two lakes. Great overnight stop but has no facilities. Well worth remembering for the future.

This morning we said our good byes and left the rally to make our way back to Calais.

We are going to try and get a ferry on Friday and therefore not over extend ourselves driving for long periods each day. We made our way to Melay which is a riverside parking area with some facilities. There were 2 canal boats moored up both with english plated cars. There was no attempt to converse with us.

Pleasant enough stop for the night.

We traveled to the rally this morning. Somehow we seemed to lose Mike & Jenny after we filled with fuel. Did some shopping and then went into the rally. Mike was already there however they needed to go shopping soon after we arrived. There were already most of the other MCC vans in place.

I continue to feel unwell and finally on Thursday I was persuaded to call an ambulance. Three burly guys came into the van and soon whisked me off to the hospital together with one of our party who could speak french on my behalf. I was examined and finally released with a prescription. On the way back to the site in the taxi we tried to get the prescribed medicines only to find it was another back holiday. At this point I do wish that the UK had remained Catholic because Europeans have an awful lot of bank holidays.

When we got back to site Tina was taken to an emergency chemist some 15 miles away by on of the locals who had his car available. I have to say I was extremley well treated by everyone.

When we got to Orange I was able to get my emails only to learn that a good friend had passed away. There had been no indication given to us that he had been that ill even though he had been diagnosed with cancer. Tina and I decided quite early on that if it was practical we would try and get home for the funeral.

Saturday night saw everyone attend the gala dinner with dancing etc. The meal was OK but expensive none the less. We have now decided that we are to leave on Sunday and not take part in the prolongation. The funeral had been organised for Thursday May 23rd which gave us enough time to return north to the port

We have been relaxing at this picturesque site for a few days now. I have not been well and have not eaten properly for a few days…. not like me!

The site is in the middle of nowhere and so has no mobile or data signals. Not able to keep in touch with the outside world.

The girls went off and bought a few bottles of wine from the owner. Certainly would recommend the Aire as it is in a lovely setting and great facilities.