2014 Morocco

We woke this morning at 5:30am. After the usual cuppa we washed, dressed, walked the dogs and had breakfast. We were ready to drive round for the train at 6:30am.

We pulled up at the dedicated pet checkin and it was closed. We checked in at the information office and the dogs were scanned and the formalities of bringing the dogs back to the UK completed. My nuts are still intact … See earlier posts.

We then drove around to the main checkin where we were offered the next non surcharge slot at 8:20am…90 mins earlier than our booked departure.

The train departed the terminus on time and we soon arrived in the UK with \’my nuts\’ still in tact. The drive home was in driving rain followed by sunny intervals. The roads were very busy compared to what we had been encountering since we left the UK in early January.

Walking into the door at home Tina was able to take in her new kitchen and flooring. She is very happy indeed.

Another holiday over and lots of adventures and experiences to talk about. We have travelled just over 5000 miles in the time we have been out of the UK.

Left a little later this morning as we know what we need to do. We were on the road by 09:30am.

Arrived at Auchan in Calais by 1pm and filled up for the trip home tomorrow. Had lunch sitting in the car park before letting Tina loose in Auchan. Fortunately we didn\’t spent too much on groceries but more on presents for the grand children.

Moved around to the car park at City Europe and relaxed for the afternoon.

We went into the shopping centre for the first time and were amazed at the size of it. Tina did her usual thing of wandering around the kitchen section in Carrefour. She bought salt and pepper pots for our new kitchen. She is really getting into this kitchen design thing. I might have to try and hire her out. Lol

After dinner we watched \”After Earth\” on the laptop. Not a bad film even though our copy had a few places where the sound was not as good but still watchable. Thought of Jo & Jan. Really wouldn\’t be Jan\’s type of film.

We watched our neighbours bring back loads of booze and load it into an already overweight Autotrail Cheyanne. I do hope they don\’t get stopped.

We had 6 vans overnight with us on the car park. Up early in the morning for our final journey home.

Once again we woke up early and on the road by 08:30am. We stopped en route at a HyperU and Tina bought a few more bits for the kitchen.

We are making our way towards Calais for the crossing on Friday so tonight\’s stop is about halfway towards the port. Tina had a rest in the afternoon.

We are now trying to use up the last of the food we have been carrying with us so Tina made a tasty macroni cheese for dinner. Later that evening we sat and watched Riddick on the laptop. Really surprised that she enjoyed the film even though in parts it was a little vivid.

Last push tomorrow to Calais.

I thought that today we would have a trial run of how it might go on Friday so I got up and gave Tina her morning cuppa at 7:00am. She was most put out, as it was the light was just breaking through dawn. What it did allow us was an early start…. We were on the road at 8:30am.

We stopped en route for coffee at an Aire by a river in a small village. I am sure that this would have been lovely in the summer but today all the services were turned off. Later we clocked up 20000 miles in the van on the D16 at a village called Le Vilhain. We have already done approximately 4000 miles since leaving home after Christmas.

Later we stopped at Lidl and bought a few more supplies and I filled with diesel at a filling station a little further on.

Our overnight stop was in a small village next to a Boules club, lake with fountains and a small river. When we arrived we had the pick of where to go… Nobody else there. By the time we went to bed there were approximately 12 vans staying the night.

Tina and I played TouchRummy again but the honours were even at one game each.

Up early this morning and packed the van ready for travelling. We were ready much earlier than expected for our 10:30 Vet appointment so we thought we would get round there and see if they could fit us in earlier. We arrived at 9:45 and they saw us at 10:00. It took 30 mins and we paid the minimal €8.80 asked of us and left. The dogs have now got their passports ready for getting in to England so there will be no need for another stop en route. Quick visit to the supermarket to get some bread etc and then we are off. Stopped on the motorway for some fuel and gas and travelled on up through France.

We decided that we would cross the Millau bridge as it is supposed to be spectacular. We were not disappointed. We stopped for lunch at the Aire but unfortunately it was raining so we didn\’t stay to have a look at the view etc.

We pressed on and eventually found an Aire out in the country of the beaten track. It\’s right by a fishing lake and we are here all on our own. Very quiet and peaceful. The borne has been destroyed but we do not need any of the services today.

Tina and I played Touch Rummy against each other on the IPads. It was very competitive and she won 3 games to 2. How dare she?

Making our way up past Orleans tomorrow and we will be more than half way to Calais in two days.

This morning  started like most others with breakfast etc. we then went across to the house and chilled in the kitchen. We both had a lovely shower, our last with continuing running water, before we get home.

Next came the moment of truth … Could I get the van out from its current location. I was dreading this bit. With girls placed on all three corners that could have hit something I maneuvered the van. It was a lot easier than I had expected.

Mid afternoon we said our goodbyes for now and went down to the Aire at Leucate. We drained the final drop of Moroccan water from the tank and filled with fresh. The afternoon sun was streaming in and was warm out of the sun. Tina had a nap.

Early evening the girls came and picked us up and took us to a local cafe where we had a final meal together. It was a most enjoyable treat. It then came time to say our proper goodbyes until we\’d meet again in the UK. Let\’s hope it won\’t be so long next time.

Up early tomorrow for the dogs visit to the vets before a full days driving. We are on our way home……

We spent the morning relaxing and enjoying some good conversation over coffee and cake. We discussed some of the times and events that we had enjoyed over recent years.

Jo was also busy preparing a homemade carrot and tomato soup for lunch which we duly devoured. It was delicious. We discussed what Tina and Jan were going to do whilst Jo and I spent the afternoon listening to our favourite teams football commentary. Eventually they decided it was a shopping trip to one of the bigger stores. Jan and I retired to the lounge with laptops at the ready. It was then that Jo found out that here team, Aston Villa, were not playing Saturday but now Sunday. Not to worry she used the time to catch up on the videos posted on the official site to get herself ready for tomorrow. AFC Bournemouth lost unfortunately against Derby but it was no disgrace thankfully.

During the day we spent time updating the Tom Tom Sat Nav, adding some films for them to watch on their laptop when we depart and a few other things. They also showed us their new Camper van. I helped to get the tracker app on their smartphone working so that it would report the latest position of the van if ever needed.

Evening meal consisted of once again a homemade chicken curry followed by a sweet with wine and nibbles to start. How do we cope with life!!! lol.

Tomorrow we are moving down to an Aire in readiness for our appointment with the Vets on Monday morning and then our journey back up through France to Calais….. our journey home.

So glad we wrapped up warmer last night. Had a really good nights sleep and woke refreshed unlike last night.

We had some breakfast in the van and then wandered over to the house for a shower. Having the copious amounts of hot water was a real luxury we haven’t enjoyed for a while. Showering in the van is sooooo different. We then went into the local town to meet others for coffee. It seems that this was the place to enjoy a morning coffee with your dog alongside. No moaning from the shop keeper. Jan & Jo then showed us around and the different Aires. We made an appointment for the dogs to see the Vet on Monday morning before we make the 600 mile journey back to Calais.

After some shopping we returned to the house where we spent some time together where I was teaching Jo how to make a poster in WORD and a few other things

We had a delicious meal of Duck with Dauphinouse. Tina got the recipe for the Duck so I hoping that this can be added to the meals we eat.

Another very enjoyable day with good company enjoying the chilling.

How cold was last night. At 5am I was so cold I got up and put on the heating even though I would use some of our precious battery power to run the circulating fan. I had already checked that the electric we had hooked up to did not come on and so had not charged our batteries in any way. But when you are cold and cannot sleep drastic measures had to be taken.

We slept in until 10am mainly because we were not meeting Jan & Jo until later in the afternoon but also because of the disturbed night. Before we left the site I took the opportunity to take some photos so I thought that I would let Woody out without a lead on. BIG MISTAKE. When I had finished he didn’t want to come back. He finally ended in the middle of the main road and stopping cars. He was so close to being left behind. We are fed up with him not returning when called and not being trusted. We left the site at around 12:00 midday.

Just before the French border we stopped and took a look around an Outlet shopping centre. We did a little food shopping but it was a major disappointment. Soon afterwards we stopped and had some lunch and then carried on to our designated meeting place of an Aire at Leucate. The girls were already there waiting for us.

We followed the car back to their village up in the hills. After a little discussion we decided where we would try and site the van for a few days. It was really tight getting it through the entrance way. I am really not looking forward to trying to get it out again.

We were made most welcome by the girls and enjoyed a very tasty evening meal with them. It was good to catch up with them after we think some three years. I think that tomorrow we have an offer of an electric hook up which will be most gratefully received.

Tonight we ensured that we wrapped up warmer for bed time as we did want to get a good nights sleep. I will let you know tomorrow.

We left this morning around 10:30 and made our way to the site. This was a new Aire I obtained from the Camping Car Infos site and was shown to have 8 hours of Electricity for €1. We were in need of ensuring that when we arrive at our friends village we had fully charged batteries.

The Route was picturesque as we climbed through the mountains. We stopped at a Lidl to do some shopping and get some fuel. The filling station wanted me to pay before I filled up. Stupid system as I wanted to fill completely but didn’t want to pay more than I needed. Therefore they lost out as I only filled to three quarters of a tank. Lost business I would say. We have come across where in the supermarkets we had to show our passport before we could use a credit card. The system is not consistent as in this Lidl the girl was not concerned. I wish I understood why!

We arrived at the site and it was a large car park next to the towns sports arena. We were the only van there and we hooked up. There were no signs I could understand that showed when we could expect the electric to start to flow. I thought that it would be available at night. There was no sign of where to put the euro coin. Oh well we shall see in the morning if the electric did come on.